The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-12
LEGISLATION
 FOR SOLDIER
 VOTE BEGINS
General Assembly, in Spec. ial Session, Takes Up Bill That Will Allow Soldiers on Duty at Border to Ex,. ercise Franchise.
 Measure Looking to Relief of Dependents is Also Urged in Gov. Holcomb's Message Only Few Mem bers Present at Session. -

IVA " A . S0SA4O C9O eSSS54S44s s
 Hartford, Conn.,, Sept. 12.-Thel Gen. eral Assembly met in special session at the call of Governor Marcus H. Holcomb today to provide statutory authority under which National Guardsmen of Connecticut, who are on Mexican border patrol duty, may vote at the November election should they be in federal service on that date, and to authorize towns and cities to give financial and national aid to depend. ents of such soldiers
 To find a precedent for the session, the state archives were examined as far back as Governor Buckingham's time in 1864 when a special session eL assembly was held to provide draft legislation" The votes of Connecticut soldiers in the field at that time were taken under constitutional provision which became Imperative upon the close of the Civil war.
 Although today's special session was an extraordinary occasion and the first in 52 years, few spectators were in the gallery of either branch.
 In advance two bills had been pre- pared under direction of Attorney General Hinman, signed and distrib- uted. The Senate bill was the sol diers' dependency act and the House Dill giving to soldiers "the right of elective franchise and exercise of the same to electors in this state who are in military service of the United States"
 The House was called to order. by Clerk John Buckley at 11:15 in ab- sence of Speaker Healy, who is in quarantine at his home in Windsor Locks. Nominations for a Speaker pro-tem were called for. Mir. Peas ly's motion that a nomination be by exclamation was accepted and MT. Hyde, Republican floor leader, was chosen with MT. Taylor Oem.) of Danbury, seconding his name. MT. Hyde expressed his thanks for the honor and Chaplain Dunlap offered prayer in which he asked Divine Providence to vouchsafe early recov- cry for MT. Healy's little daughter, who has infantile paralysis.
 A resolution accepting the rules of the 1915 session were adopted. Speak, CT pro-tem Hyde ordered roll call that members might be entered for their mileage.
 Meantime, the Senate had been de- clared in order by Lieutenant Gov ernor Wilson. The absentees were Senators Purcell, (Dem.). and Isbell 7 (Rep.), who are in military service and Comley, Jr.. (Rep.) Chaplain Sexton in his prayer asked that the loved ones who are in fields of, danger be safely returned" and that peace continue to overspread this land. The Senate rules of 1915 were o6o Whitney sent to the House to give ready for business. '
 The House roll call showed only IA absentees. This showing was a sur prise as just prior to the opening it looked as if two score members were absent.
 Messrs. Russell, of Middletown, and Taylor of Danbury, notified the Sem ate that the House was in session.
 A resolution of sympathy to Speak, CT and Mrs. Healy on the illness of their daughter offered by MT. Martin of Orange, was adopted by rising vote.
 The, joint rules were adopted in concurrence, as we'll as the rider for the joint convention. The' Senate filed it immediately. Lieut.. Cover nor Wilson opened the convention and Chaplain Sexton offered prayer.
 Senator Klett and Representatives Peasely and Devine waited on the Governor who returned with the com mittee and addressed the members.
 Governor Holcomb said: I "Mr. President, MT. Speaker and
 Members of the General Assembly:
 Our organized militia or national guard were mobilized and left for Azi- ona in June and since that time have been and now are in the service of the United States doing police duty on the border between the United States and Mexico. So much is common knowledge. I have unsuccessfully en- deavored to ascertain the probable du- ration of their absence. Under these conditions I cannot assume that they would be returned to this state in time to permit of their voting at the ap- preaching Presidential election--now less than 60 days distant.
 '"There are 1000, more or less cleo tors of this state in the national guard and it would be a hardship and a great wrong to them and to the state and nation if these electors, who are among
  tion, should be deprived of exercising their rights as electors because of this enforced absence in the service of their coun.rv.~
 ''It is nor | partisan question and believe the sentiment of the people Is in favor of our soldier electors to vote is unanimous. It is for these reasons that the emergency session of the general assembly is called and I rec ommend the adoption of legislation which will permit these soldier elec- tors to vote at the elections to be held in November next. and the appoint ment of two commissioners represent ing the two principal parties, to visit the places where these soldiers are To- cated, to receive the vote of such of them as are electors; such votes to be cast and counted in the ensuing Mo- yember election the same as if such