Norwich bulletin., 1911-09-27
Thanks for Consideration of Mess;


 proceed so far a I sugg gested in my inaugural message in the line of gen eral public economy, and particularly in the direction of pruning off what rave seemed to me unnecessary offices. l thank you for the careful conSidera- ton which you have given to all the various recommendations which that message contained. I thank also the chair1nen of the joint standing com nlittees for the uniform attention and courtesy with which they have re- ceived such suggestion of amendments as l have from time to time made to them personally in respect to the form and contents of pending bills. In many instances causes of objection to bill have thus been removed which might otherwise have made me deem it my duty to withhold my approval Of it.
 Legislation a Bundle of Compromises.
 Most legisla ton on controverted matters is apt to take the shape eventually of a bundle of compromises. Many of the acts of this session came out at the end of the legislative process very different in appearance from what they were when they were introduced. It is probable, however. that they thus better represent the average judgment and common sense of our people.
 Regrets Failure ofscompensation Act.
  impossible for the two houses to agree or the terms of a proper workingmen's compensation act, but it is not sur prising that this was the result, in view of the inherent difficulties of bringing the position of modern so- ciology and social economy into accord with all the guarantees of individual rights to be found in our American constitution.
 Advocates Plan of Insurance.
 Tt is better to have no change in the laws regulating the important subject of employers liability than to have them changed without due con- sideration of all the effects that might result from the new legislation. A law promising a workingman, injured in the course of his employment a fixed compensation automaticalfy as- certained would be a delusion unless he were sure of collecting it. It would seem as if this assurance can be best afforded by some plan of insurance This is particularly important where the employer has but small capital.
 Congratulated on Redistrieting.
 You have provided for the appoint nent of commission to study this subject and report to the next general assembly. Their recommends tions will no doubt be an important guide in de- termining what legislation upon this subject ought to be adopted in this state. You have adopted fair and reasonable plan for dividing the state into five congressional districts. This duty had been left unperformed by previous legislatures, and I congratu late you in having dealt with this question in the manner contemplated b. the laws of the United States.
 Need of New Senatorial Districts.
 'The constitution of Connecticut pro- yides that senatorial districts shall al- ways be composed of contiguous terri 7 tory and that they should be so formed l as to make each as nearly equal as every other in population as might be possible unoer certain prescribed linn itations. The general assembly in 1903 formed B districts of this description. | The difference in population between the most populous erd the least popu- lcus district was but 10,794. By the census of 1910 it appears that the tween the most populous and the least pcrulous district is 23.555. Great in ecualities exist also between many of 1 the other districts. It would be easy to lessen these inequalities by redis- tricting. The present general assem- blv is the only one that can do this until 1921.
 Prevented by Politics.
 T called your attention to these facts in my inaugural message and again more recently by q special mes Sage. report was made by a minor ity of the committee on congressional and senatorial districts which if ards remedAng these inequalities It was not adopted and l have heard no l substantial reason stated against it's adoption except that this might have resulted in advantage to the political rarty whose candidate for the highest executive office re reived the most votes at the last election.
 May Call a Special Session.
 Constitutions it is true. are de- vices to protect the minority in a po- litical society against the majority, hut they are designed to protect the mir ority by mandates that are obeyed not by mandates that are disregarded The failure to redistrict the state for | senatorial districts will make it in ( '1hent upon me to consider with care whether it may be my duty at later period to call you together again in special session.
 The Corrupt Practices Act.
 T congratulate you upon having aSopted d corrupt ractices act we'll guarded and self executing. This and tire amendments adopteo~in respect to the form Of ballot can hardly fail to give us greater security of elections. You have made it your rule, when au- tnorlzlng Ire issue or capital stock by corporations seeking charter privileges in that respect, to provide that these shares shall be paid for at not less than par. in cash or it's equivalent.
 Have Guarded Public interests
 Tn this your action has been in striking contrast to that Of some pre- vious general assemblies when dealing with similar questions. particularly in the case oi street railways. The state has reason 10 thank you for your care in this guarding of the public inter osts. State Treasurer Lippitt Makes Speech
 As soon as the governor had finished. Sheriff Dewey said "Oyez'' three times and Secretary of State Rogers ad- iourned the body with the customary God save the state of Connecticut" After being dismissed members went tc the treasurer's off1ce to get their