The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-08


power is the governor.
Borrowing by Municipalities.
It is the genius of our system of civil
government that every municipal cor
poration or quasi corporation should
have the main management of its OWE
affairs In accordance with this prin-
ciple, towns are authorized to issue
bonds. It would seem reasonable that
a similar privilege should be granted
to our cities and boroughs. While,
however, in town meetings all the
voters may be present in person, in
those of cities and boroughs the in
habitantS are represented by such agen-
cies as mayors, common councils, war
dens or burgesses, through whom, in
most things, the business of the mu-
nicipaHty is transacted. I recommend,
therefore, that cities and boroughs be
given the same powers as towns to is
sue bonds; but, through the use of the
referendum, only with the approval Of
a majority of the legal voters actually
voting on the question so referred nor
in excess of a certain percentage Of
their grand lists.
Inheritance Taxes.
Inheritance tax laws now exist in
most of the states in which the citi-
zens Of Connecticut have business in
terests. The result has been that the
privilege of succeeding to a share in
the estates of deceased persons has
often been taxed twice-cnce where he
belonged and again in some other jur-
isdiction, where personal property
forming part of the estate might be
situated.
The tax commissioners biennial re-
port favors such modification of our
statute as will avoid what thus vir-
tuaI1y becomes double taxation.
He also favors an exemption from
all inheritance taxes Of property left
to charitable, religious or public uses.
advise legislation on both these
lines
Clerk of Bills.
I renew my recommendation of two
years ago that the term of Office of the
clerk of bills should be for good be-
havior. The same Recommendation had
been made in the inaugural message
Of Governor. woodruff and Governor
Lilley. A measure thus urged by three
successive governors deserves your Sc
rious consideration. 1t is within the
clerks power to make our statutes
clear and consistent, and it is hardly
less within his power to make them
obscure or conflicting. He ought to be
one of the best parliamentary drafts
men In Connecticut and familiar gen
orally with our laws and institutions
Consolidation Of Offices.
The number of public Offices in this
state, appointment to which is sought
mainly for the sake of the money or
patronage which they bring, seems to
me far too great.
The following changes would seem
to me for the public interest:
First-The abolition of the Office OF
factory inspector, with a transfer of
the duties attached to it to the COM
of the bureau of labor sta
tistics and naming him henceforth Ia
Dor commissioner.
Second.-The abolition of the Office
Of building and loan commissioner and
of the bank commissioners, with a
Of the duties attached to these
positions to a single bank commission
er, who should have power to appoint
as many deputies as may be necessary
to ascertain fully, from time to time,
the financial condition of all the in
situations thus placed under his In
spection.
Third.-The abolition of the Offices of
of domestic animals,
dairy and food commissioner and state
ornithoIogist and also of the state board
OF agriculture and the creation Of the
office of commissioner of agriculture
with a salary of $1,000. This officer,
who should be a man both of scientific
and practical experience,
would thus have the undivided respon-
sibility of promoting and caring for the
agricultural interests of the state Of
every nature and should be authorized
to appoint the necessary deputies and
agents.
Fourth.-The abolition OF the board
Of examiners of BARRIERS and the trans
fer of such of its powers as it may be
thought worth while to preserve to the
state board of health.
Fifth--The abolition of the Connect
cut board of examiners of enbaImers
and the transfer of such of its powers
as it may be thought worth while to
preserve to the state board of health.
Sixth.-The abolition of the board
Of directors to establish county homes
for the care and treatment of persons
suffering from tuberculosis and the
transfer OF the oversight of our instftu-
with that disease to a single tuberculo-
sis commissioner at a salary of 81 800,
who should also be ex officio a member
Of the state board of health.
4 vacancy in the tuberculosis board
occurred during the past year. I have
not filed it, being satisfied that the
present duties of the directors could be
performed by one or two quite as well
as by three, and a large saving to the
public treasury thus accomplished
The tuberculosis commissioner should
also be made a state visitor of all tu-
bercuIosis homes in the state not di-
rectly built or supported as such by
the state.
Fisheries and Game.
We have three shellfish commission
ers receiving a salary of $500 each,
with a clerk and engineer, besides nu-
1ooro11c inforfnr