The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-22
LAUREL CLUB HAS ITS TURN AT THE
 REINS OF STATE
Demonstrates to the Cover nor and President Mellen How Connecticut Should Be Run.

Be Run.
 To the Members of the General As
 sembly, and Other Friends of Pres
 ident Mellen:-'
 Thus runs the introduction to the governor message" delivered last night at the banquet of the Laurel club at Hartford, composed of the newspaper correspondents at the state capitol Once a year the Laurel club gets together, entertains the gover- nor. President Mellen of the railroad, and other state officials, and shows them how Connecticut should be run.
 Governor Baldwin was present last night and enjoyed hugely the indirect knocks at him contained in the fake message, which was read by NGov- ernor" Frederick E. Norton of the Hartford Courant, who entered the banquet hall in the Garde hotel. es- corted by a full staff gloriously clad. Another at the guests table was Pres ident Charles s. Mellen of the New York. New Haven & Hartford railroad and when an entertaining skit on the court of commerce and public utili- ties commission was gotten on he was one of the most entertained. Others at the guests table were Lieutenant Governor D. A. Biakeslee, Speaker Frede-ick A Scott. Execut We Secretary Edwin S. Thomas and Charles Hop kins Clark At another table, against which many gibes were directed, were Costello Lippitt and Norris s. LippHt of Norwich, Andrew N. Shephard or Portland. Benedict MHolden of Hart ford, George B. Chandler of Rocky Hill. John T. King of Bridgeport, George I. Allen of Middletown, B. l.. Hopkins of Hartford, J. Henry Rora- back of Canaan and Robert O. Eaton of North Haven. a group of men not unknown about the legislative corri- dors. They kept things going, too.
 The big stunt of the evening was the court of commerce skit when the club proceeded to show how well MT Mel lens scheme would work for the ben eft of the railroad and the public ut1l- ities commission for the benefit of the public First the court sat and the three members were addressed by the lawyer for the people, the court stu- diousiy paying attention to the scsn- cry, doings on Asylum street any was saying. They contemptuousiy re- ceived his many petitions.
 Another lawyer arose to address them. :.
 ''Who are you for?" was thundered at him
 "I represent the New Haven road" he replied, and he was most corolaiiy welcomed and listened to.
 When the hearing closed member of the court hastened out to consult President Mellen and attorneys or the road to learn their wishes before making a decision. and then denied all petitions at once.
 The puhlic utilities commission on the other hand listened with much in- terest to the lawyer for the people ap- proved alI his petitions fired the rall- road lawyer out without letting him say anything, and immediately Iouno in all respects for the people
 Col. Charles W. Pickett, president of the Laurel Club, presided over the banouet and acted as chairman of the mock legislative session. J. Olin Howe secretary of the club. was the clerk and read various joke petitions resolutions. bills and other documents all of which occasioned much run. Things were run pretty much after the style of a regular session.
 John Rodemeyer. the retiring gover- nor. sent a message sketching his ca reer in the executive mansion ana stating that he had accepted that high ofice from the State Business Mems Association after a brief but satisfac- torv conference. He advised his hearers in the words Of the immortal Shakespeare,
 ..Awav with worriment, let's be merry, And let's stand Pat as we stand
 Jerry"
 Governor Norton's message was clo he'd with judicial gravity and quoted copiously from court decisions in support of various surprising con tentfons. He advocated a number of important bits of legislation. Under the heading of State revenues, he ad- vocated that newspaper reporters be required to take out license similar to an automobile license. and be re- qufred to wear a light, front and rear, at night. 'so, that it may be at all times possible to distinguish a re- porter from an ordinary and reputabl, citizen"
 The Governor then advised the Legislature to enact needful legisla- tion. If there is any time left after the Legislature has finished enactins the legislation deemed advisable by the New York, New Haven & Hart ford Railroad"
 his message he had neglected touch ing upon such topics as Employers Liability. the removal of the s GOO death damage limit the Public Utili- ties Commission, etc. trusting that the legislators will receive ample in StructlOn upon lneSe lOplCS ldOiIl thC three R's-Robbins, Robinson, and Rorab back"
 In the midst of the dinner a Mexi- can peon rushed into the room wi h a message telling of war with Mexico and bearing orders for a turnout Of all the troops of Connecticut. some of which were required to proceed direct to Savin Rock, and others to Coney Island
 resolution was read. requiring that all Friday sessions hereafter be held on Thursdays
 Another resolution proposing to amend the corrupt practices act "in accord with the changed conditions under women's suffrage, adds a pen atty for giving over fifty kisses.
 A resolution concerning mud dump ing" was found to provide that no mud shall be dumped upon the repu- 1a ion of any member of the third house. save by Senator Donovan.
 Much merriment was contained by a fake Legislative bulletin gotten I'D after the style of the one issued regularly at the Capitol, but filled with humorous bills and directions.
 When the clubs stunts were over, after a few words of introduction, Toastmaster Pickett called the real Governor to his feet and the chief executive of the State said that Gov ernor" Norton had commissioned him h make a few remarks. He under stood now that the government of the State Is divided into two parts. the
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