Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-09

forfeiture of the privileges of an elec- tor by convicted briber, forger, per- jurer dueiiSt or fraudulent bankrupt, whose sentence was merely to a fine; and the third increases the pay of members of the general assembly from $500 to $500
 I do not recommend any one of these to your approval.
 l renew the recommendation made to the last general assembly that an amendment to the constitution be pro posed whereby sena tors shall be elect ed at large on a general ticket.
 The only merit of senatorial districts is that they secure some representa- ton to political minorities. The same end can be better accomplished by electing senators on general ticket, if no one is allowed to vote for more than two o-thirds of those to be elected. or if q scheme of cumulative voting or proportionate representation be adopt ed.
 Mileage of Members Of the General
 Assembly.
 It has been for many years the prac- tice of the comptroller, when requested general assembly so to do, to procure from such railway company or com panies as may be necessary ticket or tickets entitling such member to transportation between Hartford and his home station during the session Of the general assembly of which he is a member or member elect, and to de- liver to him such ticket or tickets in exchange for an assignment by him to the state of his mileage allowance for such session; the comptroller paying for the tickets the lowest sum or sums for which he can obtain them. This sum has been considerably larger than the amount of one mileage each way at the rate of 25 cents a mile. For the transportation of the members of the last general assembly there was paid on this account $37,3S7.98, all though the regular mileage came only to s7,22S, and not a single member, had he drawn his statutory mileage would have thus received enough to pay for the tickets supplied him by the com ptroller.
 Towards the close of 1911 a bill was presented to the comptroller by railroad company for transportation furnished for members of the general assembly, under authority which it wa S claimed was derived from the section of the general statutes above men toned. The comptroller requested the opinion of the attorney general as to whether the board of control would be authorized to appropriate public mon eys to discharge this bill, and in reply the opinion was given that the comp troller had no right to contract with any railroad for such a ticket as is contemplated in that section unless he could do so without paying a greater sum therefor than the mileage which the member requesting the ticket was entitled to receive.
 Under this opinion, in which fully concur the comptroller will not be able hereafter to purchase transportation for any member at a cost exceeding that of his mileage within the consti- tutional limit.
 Sessions will be short if the as- sembly sits four days a week. Until 1901 this was the uniform practice under ordinary circumstances. In 1901 the weeks In which this was done fell to eight out of twenty-four; in 1903. to five out of twenty four: and in 1905, to two out of twenty nine.
 I strongly recommend a return to the ancient custom, uDwtsely aban- doned twelve years ago. With four days week given to actual sessions, the assembly can complete its business