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

| sion should recommend its abolition.
| On its present footing it costs the
| state over $4,000 a year and does
nothing which could not be otherwise
accomplished at much less expense.
| If so abolished I should recommend
that the office of commissioners of
fisheries and game be also abolished
! and a transfer of their function, as
well as those of the shellfsh commits
sioners, made to single commission
er of fisheries and game, with a salary
of not less than $1,000 and with power
| to appoint necessary deputies, war
| dens and inspectors.
The various changes which have
been suggested for a consolidation of
Offices would both save money and ac-
cord with the modern drift of public
opinion in favor of concentrating pow
er and responsibility in a few hands
The results attained by the public
utilities commission have fully justi-
fed the expectations of those who con-
tributed to it's creation. One of them
has been steady influence for good.
exercised upon the corporations with
in its jurisdiction in a quiet and semi
official manner, though seldom coming
! before the public eye.
| It's report for the past year shows
| that the through railroads are in good
| general condition, though the road
| beds OF several of the street railways
| are somewhat rough.
renew my recommendation of two
| years ago that state civil service
| commission, be established, to serve
| without pay other than compensation
/ for their expenses, but with saIarfed
| secretary, to serve also as chief ex-
aminer.
The State Board of Health.
The biennial report of the state
| board OF health recalls attention to
their meager powers with regard to
the protection of the public from dis
eases caused by the pollution of water
courses. recommend grant to
them of larger authority In this regard
EEeStion of County Commissioners.
renew the recommendation that
| county commissioners be chosen by
the electors, but under a scheme for
securing minority representation, Ell
| Their by allowing no one to vote for
more than two or by adopting the rule
either of proportionate representation
or of the cumulative vote.
New York Boundary Line.
The boundary line between Con-
necticut and New York has been re-
action of representatives appointed by
each state. New York during 1912
passed an act confirming the line thus
established It will be proper for us
to adopt similar legislation
I recommend that the Nicholson
bequest of books, coins and medals be
formally accepted.
Determinations Against Uniformed
Soldiers and Sailors.
Several states have enacted statutes
to prevent discrimination against uni
formed soldiers and sailors on the part
of keepers of places of public enter
tainment or common carriers. The sec
rotary of the navy OF the United States
has requested me to bring this to your
attention. He is of the opinion that
instances OF this discrimination have |
occurred in this state. I recommend
such legislation as may prevent it for
the future, whether directed against
those wearing the uniform Of the Unit
ed States or that used in the military
or naval service OF this state.
I recommend the passage of a law,
recognizing as valid all marriages to |
which one or both parties are citizens
OF this state, when hereafter celebrat- |
ed in a foreign country, either in con-
or in the presence of a consular Of |
ficer OF the United States. at place |
within his consular Jurisdiction, by |
any ordained or licensed clergyman en-
gagged in the work of the ministry in
any state or country, subject, however, |
to all the provisions of title 43 of chap |
ter 252 of the general statutes, except |
that the license certificate may be is |
sued by the registrar of births, mar |
riages and deaths of the tz1twn or towns |
to which such citizen OF citizens of this |
state may belong and shall operate as
a license for the celebration of such
marriage in such foreign country.
Woman Suffrage.
I renew the recommendation in my /
ina ugural message in 1911 that our !
statutes be so amended as to grant full /
municipal suffrage to women owning /
taxable property. By thus treating
taxpayers of each sex alike further
opportunity will be given to see wheth-
er the women of Connecticut, by gen
orally avc'ling themselves of the priv
iIege thus granted, manifest their de
sire to have our constitution SO altered
as to secure their admission as electors.
Time is the great reformer, but it
cannot be hurried in it's course. Sud
den and sharp changes in laws seldom
speak the real will of the people. Con
nectfcut was never so near the period
when it is rational to expect that full
woman's suffrage will be granted as
now. Never before have its advocates
pleaded their cause in this country
(whatever may be said of their meth
DDS in England with equal force and
equal tact The great advances in the
education of American women show
themselves in these directions. But it
is no less true that a large number OF
them, and not improbablY cons1dera-
BILE majority, are opposed to granting
full suffrage to those of each sex alike.
The governor next recommended
putting conYicts on outdoor work.