Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-13
LegaIized Vote
 For Border Militia
ACTION AT SPECIAL SESSION OF
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
$10O,0oO FOR FAMILIES
Mileage Bill Called for $5,5S7 5o-For Expenses Incident to the Session $1o,ooo Additional Was Voted-Ad- journed at p. m.

Hartford, Conn, Sept 12-The gen. eral assembly, in the first special ses- sion since the days of Governor Buck ingham in 1864, today passed Iegisla- tion of an emergency character which specifically provides that Connecticut national guardsmen who are in feder- al service on the Mexican border may, if they are qualified electors, vote at the November election, not only for federal officers, but for state officers. Their votes will be collected by two commissioners to be appointed by Governor Marcus H. Holcomb.
 $1oo,0oo For Relief of Dependents.
 Another measure appropriated $1G0,- 900 for relief Of the dependents of the militiamen, should such aid be applied for, the towns and cities to make dis bursements under proper safeguards and the state comptroller to reimburse for such relief funds.
 Legislators Put in a Long Day.
 These two measures were the prin- cipal items of business, although some time was required to set lekislative machinery in motion, to provide for engrossnent of bills, to authorize pay ment of mileage for members, chap lains, doorl1eepers and messengers, this in lieu of all other compensation and legislative expenses. According iy the legislators put in a, long day day final adjournment under direc- tion of Secretary of State Burnes not coming until after 5 o'clock.
 Governor Holconb personally ap- peared and read his message, upon which was based the emergency ses- sion. During the day the governor received a telegram from Congress- man E. J. Hill to the effect that a grand review of troops would be held on October by the president at Wash ington.
 In explanation of the "votes for soldiers" bill Representative Peastey of Cheshire in the house ventured the opinion that the law might be actual Iy operative as Connecticut organiza- lions may have returned homo by elec- tion day.
 Bills Were Debated.
 The bills which were passed today were subject to some debate in com nittee in 10th branches, but they were adopted as recommended by the com mittees.
 The morning session was re ;essed at noon until late in the afternoon the interval Eeing embraced by men bers for renewing acquaintances.
 $5,587.5o For Mileage.
 The mileage bill called for $5,5S7.5O, wlilr EFn,e0o additional was voted for exper 4 incident to the session. The chief Objection to the "'votes for sol- diers" bill was offered by MT. Hewes or Fa1nlllBLOn, WHO argued that tie question of corCtitutionality might he raised. because the legislature was providing that the soldiers might vote fer state officers. This objection was met by O paragraph put into the bill providing that if any vote for a can didate should be thrown out, votes for other candidates shall not be affected.
 To the principle of the bill there was no objection, either in the committee stage or when it was put upon it's passage. The democrats, in caucHs, had voted to support the bill and also to make uO a list of five names from which the governor might select q democratic commissioner.
 Tn discussion of the relief bill n the committee stage, those who favored it asked that 1t be so worded that the giving of relief would be distinctly an act of the states recognition of the services of the soldiers and not an offering of charity. Representative Eaton of North Haven said that while $100,000 was appropriated it was quite likely that $50yoo0 would cover relief disbursements. If more than S100OO0 was needed, the Board of Control could increase the amount.
 A MirthfuI Closing.
 The final adjournment was preceded by votes of thanks to presiding off, cers and clerks; the singing of songs and remarks by several members who had acquired regulations as story tell CTS or wits at the 1915 session.