Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-29

Hartford Conn. Jan 2S.-Attorney General John H. Light admitted to- night that papers had been lodged with him by Governor Baldwin containing charges against Highway Commission CT James H. Macdonald, and asking for the latters removal from office The admission on the part of the att torney general came as the .culmina- tion of many rumors to that effect in circulation about the capitol today.
 The Law in the Case.
 MT. Light would give no hint as to the charges. saying that he had not had time to look the papers over.
 According to chapter 298, section 8. of the public acts, passed by the last legislature, the governor when he is of the opinion that any highway commits sioner has been guilty of misconduct, material neglect of duty or incompe- tence, he shall transmit all such facts with the attorney general The lat ter shall then make such investigation as he shall deem proper and shall pre- pare statement in writing of the charges against the commissioner. commanding him to appear before a judge of the superior court and show cause why he should not be removed. -
 Committees Organized.
 Legislative committees organized and the general assembly proceeded to business of it's 1913 session today. Several members who did not like their committee assignments took the opportunity in the house to tell Speak CT Webster what they thought of the selections and although the speaker was the subject of a sharp attack, he did not reply.
 Highway Commissionership.
 In the upper branch the interest entirely centered around the office of state highway commissioner, owing to the known opposition to Mr Caldwell, whose name the governor is expected to send in first thing tomorrow. The committee on executive nominations will have to make it's report within three legislative days, and should there be a Friday session the debate upon the nomination may be expected then. or if the session goes over on Thurs day it will come, if it does come. on Tuesday next.
 Republicans Claimed for Caldwell.
 In spite of the opposition which has been manifested among so%as demo- cratS to confirmation of MT. Caldwell, it was freely predicted today that only two democratic votes are likely to be cast against MT. Caldwell. Democrats favorable to MT. Caldwell went so far as to predict that several republicans will be found voting for the governors nominee.
 Superior Court Judges Jumped.
 In naming Justice Samuel O. Pren- tiee to be chief justice in place of Justice Hall recently deceased the governor confirmed general eXpecta- tions He provided for filling of the vacancy created on the supreme court bench by taking John K Beach of New Haven from the ranks of practicing lawyers, and thereby passing over the judges of the superior court and the minor court without awarding a pro- motion and also took two practicing lawyers fir the superior court to fill vacancies as they occurred through retirement owing to age limitations of Judsee Ralph Wheeler and Marcus H. Holcomb- Mir. Futile of Hartford is one, and James H. Webb of Hamden, the other, the latter being a profes- sor in the Yale Law school and prob ably the first Catholic elevated to the superior court bench in Connecticut
 Two cIerkships Filled.
 The remaining clerkships were filled by selecting William H. Blodgett of Winsted for clerk of bills, and E. M. Yoemans for expressing clerk, the lat ter being a democrat. MT Yoenans had been a candidate for the clerk of the senate, while MT. Dutton, who was another candidate. is serving as assist ant to Senate Clerk Wynne.
 Feb. Last Day for New Business.
 Senator Landers secured passage in the upper branch of a resolution fixing February 7th as the last day for in- troduction of new business and the house is expected to agree to this go that committee hearings will be in order week after next. Although IudIy DlllS ana TSSO1QLlO0S nave been put in already the number is far be- low expectations and the older mem berS are inclined to believe that less business will be introduced than in the last three sessions
 Criticism of Speaker. aA
 In the house during the speeches made by several members over their committee appointments Representa- tive Wilson pointed out that the cities had not fared well in selection Of members of the committee on cities and borougfls. Speaker Webster did not reply, but after adjournment he stated that members evidently lost sight of the fact that a cities and boroughs committee made up of city representatives would have been viewed with some curiosity by men- bers of the towns and matters they re- ported might have been viewed with suspicion, for there would be some members who would think the com- mittee was favoring cities as against the towns. He thought the welfare of the cities was safe in the hands of members who live in the towns and the city representatives were certain ef securing cooperation of the coun- Fry town members on the committees Exports.
 Mileage Question Not Brought Up
 The mileage question did not come up during the session
 M O R B