The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-09
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Approaching Closing Day, Both Branches Turn Out
 Grist of Business

Hartford, May 9.-The general as- sembIy met without quorum in either branch for it's third Friday ses- sion, and did a large amount of busi- ness today, sending through the Iegis- Iative hopper scores of committee re- ports and bills that had been trans ferred from one branch to the other, and adopting from the calendar doz- ems of measures of minor importance. | over which there was no likelihood of controversy.
 The finance committee report to the house bill providing: for a two mill ! state tax, one mill to be laid this year and one mill in 1914. The senate | adopted in concurrence the house bill raising the salary of the clerks and assistant clerks of the superior courts of the several counties.
 The senate adopted in concurrence l among others four bills amending the charter of Bristol.
 The measure amending an act pro vidfng Putnam with a, wholesome wa ter supply was also adopted, as were bills permitting the use of the city fire | departmen in adjoining towns ; amending the Ansonda charter, relating to the powers of the Board of Select | men; creating the office of superinten- dent of highways and bridges in Dar- fen: providing that a husband may 1 deed property direct to his wife and the wife to the husband without the interpretation of third party. In the House there were 34 members when Speaker Webster called to or der and a recess until il o'clock was 1 immediately taken, on suggestion Of MT EVarts of Milford, in order to wait for more members. When the Houss reassembled there were 60 present.
 The Judiciary committee reported favorably resolutions appointing Harry B. Back as judge, and James N. Tucker, deputy judge. in Kidng1y; Robert c. Stoddard, judge, and John Buckingham, deputy, in Milford Representative Tenner of New Lon don first moved that the bill amend ing the charter of the New Haven and Milford Water Companies. concerning the taking of water from the Wepo- waug river, be recomnitted. The mo ton was defeated. but later was pass ed on request of MT. EVarts of Mil ford.
 The city and borough committee reported a bill amending the New Ha- ven charter concerning the condem- nation of land. This is known as the eminent domain bill. The same com lowing the borough of Stontngton to construct a sewer system.
 The direct primary bill came back from the senate on disagreeing action but it was laid on the table on motion of MT. Heaiy because Of the small att tendance
 MT. Avery Of Groton had the bill that provides that all members of the governors staff must be members Of the national guard sent to the foot of the calendar. as he said he wanted to oppose it.
 There was a debate on the bill pass, ed that all land planted with trees af- ter Jan 1. 1913. should not be ex- enpt from taxation. It appears that the bill was caused by the- conditions in west Hartford, where, 1t is claimed, unfair advantage has been taken by sonie land owners planting for for ests The bill was finally adopted. In the Senate Mr. Mccarthy called attention to the fact that there had been omission in not appointing two members of the commission on scu1p- ture. and he therefore offered reso1u- tiorr to appoint Charles Noel F9agg and H. Siddons Mowbray for six years from July 1. The resolution was in1- mediate1y passed.
 A favorable report came in on the resolution appointing Charles F. Smith as member of the State Board of Education
 The Senate adopted a lengthy bill which provides for the regulation and control of all fraternal benefit socie-. ties and an amendment to the New Haven charter, permitting the manu- facture and sale Of artificial ice.
 There was consid erable debate over the duty of the. committee on en- grossed bills, after Senator Isben had inquired of Senator McDonough as to the duties of that committee. MT. McDonough said that he, as chairman of the committee, had been so busy that he could not attend to looking over every bill and had left the mat ter to the clerk of engrossed bills to make any corrections he thought were essential. He thought the exp1ana- ton was accepted, but a little later thought it was a matter of great seriousness to determine what the duties of the engrossing committee are. He said the law provides that the com mittee shall carefully examine every bill that has passed both branches. The law did not intend to delegate to any one man, no matter what his abilities were, the right to change or alter in any way bill that the general assembly had passed. There was no action taken ons the matter MT. Perry simply wanting to express his opinion. of the duties de- volying upon the committee.
 The committee on roads, rivers and bridges reported favora:bly to the House a bill providing that all auto mobiles shall slow down with 800 feet of any school house when chill dren are going to or returning from school
 The House passed bills providing a punishment for throwing vitrioI on a person; resolutions appointing James A. Shea judge in Wi1limantic and J. Butler Merwin judge in New Milford. The House adjourned at 1 o'clock un- til Tuesday.