Norwich bulletin., 1911-09-28
The Danger of
 Long Sessions
OUT BY GOVERNOR AT
 FIREMEN's BANQUET.
BILLS ARE RUSHED THROUGH
Strong Argument for Adoption of Constitutional Amendment by States Executive-"stop the Waste"

Hartford. Sept 27.-At the annual banquet of the State F'iremen's asso- citation tonight. fremen to the number of $50 or more sat down at the tables. The guest of honor was Governor Baldwin and the occasion was thesmore notable as it was the first time that a governor of the state had been present at one of these gatherings.
 Other Speakers.
 Former Mayor w F. Henney was toastmaster, and the speakers in addi- ton to the governor were Mayor E. l.. Smith of Hartford, Secretary Magee, Chaplain Carey, the newly elected president, P. JSRedmond, H. I. Horton of the Courant and the retiring presi- dent, A. F. Roland, of Hartford. In his address Governor Baldwin said.
 The Governors Speech. Governor Baldwin said:
 T am glad to meet so many men who have been and are identified with the public service. I am not going to talk civil commonplaces to you. There is public question to which I want to call your attention. There is just one thing I am full of tonight It is the constitutional amendment to shorten the session of our legislature, forever, hereafter.
 Felt Like Sinbad the Sailor.
 T felt yesterday afternoon, when the general assembly of 1911 adjourn ed for good, like Sinbad the Sailor, when he got rid of the Old Man of the Sea who had fastened upon his back. Here has the legislature of Connecticut been sitting day after day from the beginning of January to the end of eptember-almost to October, to do what they could have done bet ter in three months
 Vote to Shorten Sessions.
 4'But give them credit for one good thing. They passed. by a two-thirds providing that-whatever they might have dcne-no future legislature should sit longer than five months. Now it is up to you and the rest of the people to say whether that amend ment shall be ratified next week at here to vote for it. A vote for it is ! a vote for good government, for pulp lie economy, for common sense.
 The Danger of Long Sessions.
 "A Connecticut legislature that sits more than five months wastes the time and energy and money of the whole state. The longer it sits, the apter it becomes to hurry through with no proper considera ton. The rules require all bills to be printed and calendared before they are con- sidered. Towards the end of the ses- sion, the temptation gets strong to suspend the rules, and pass anything that anybody proposes and shouts for. This temptation gets stronger with every month that passes by. The long CT the session, the more business will accumulate, regularly and irregularly, and the more it accumulate, the less attention will each measure get.
 Those Who Like Long Sessions.
 Don't fIatter yourselves that if you do not take the trouble to go to the polls next week, enough others will, to vote the amendment through. Enough may turn out to vote it down. There are some who are opposed to it: 1, The lobby, it cuts off part of their job; ?, The small politicians, it lessens the importance of their trade; B. The employees of each house, they get high pay and like long sessions. The longer they are, the better the chances for gratuities to the employees, a snug addition to the end.
 Stop the Waste.
 Your business is to put out fires because they waste property. Here is something else that wastes, and wastes everybody's time. Do not fail, gentle to stop it by voting yes on this con- stitutional amendment. I congratulate you, that you in your association, do your business without waste.
 No Complaints Against Bremen.
 You are in partnership with the state, she is the silent partner and you the active ones. She supplies the capital, 11,000 year. You spend it when it is needed, and are the ones to settle where it is needed. I have heard no complaints from anybody of the way you do this business. I con graduate you on that. I hear com plaints enough of some of those who are professedly working for the state. and really working for themselves, or for their party; but none against you.
 A Delicate Duty to Perform.
 You have delicate duty to per- form, in picking out the pensioners, to be helped with this state money. The state has put entire trust in your judgment and honor, in this matter, and tonight, as her chief magistrate, I bear you her thanks for doing your duty well. No man, anywhere or in anything, can do better than that" TLIRTN EnJ n NIJGGETS