Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-03-22

I Today the general assembly met to
| adopt a somewhat similar law, under
| which Connecticut soldiers who are
electors and who may be on duty out
| side the state, whether across the
seas or in the United States, may vote
for certain nominees of political par
| ties next fall
This state has no constitutional
| provision for absentee voting, and it
| has become a matter of history in
connection with the administration OF
Gov. .Ho1comb to convoke special ses-
sions to deal with emergencies involv-
ing the right of franchise. The bill
to be enacted during the day was
| drawn by Attorney Geaseral George
/ E. Human at the request of Gov.
| Holcomb and it had been carefully
scrutinized. The bill is of consider
Fable length and much detail. Its
acceptance with some slight amend
nent was expected with little delay
during the afternoon session. One
| amendment suggested and which was
| likely to be incorporated would per-
| nit soldier electors to vote for mem
| bers of congress and for county sher-
| ifs
Action by the legislature today was
| to be limited to the bill in question.
No effort was likely to induce the
| body to take up any excise matter
as had been reported. H. P. Spoon
| er, who has represented temperance
and church interests, told Gov. Hol-
comb that he had no interest in any
| proposed legislation to give the gov
! nor power to regulate saloons during
the war period. e. L. G. Hohen-
| thai, who has represented the Prohi-
| bitior party, told me1rbers that he
had no saloon regulation bill to Of
| fer, or resolution that would attempt
to bring up the question of seton on
the ratification of the national pro-
| hibition amendment.
Lieut. Gov. Wilson opened the senate
| at 1880 a. M, and Chaplain Cooke
made the prayer.
| Senate Clerk John Buckley, in the
uniform of a major, was at his desk
and called the roll. There were on
| ly five senators absent, three of these
Purcell O'Sullivan and Whitney, being
in the service. Routine matters were
taken up, these providing for pay
ment of members transportation
adoption of last sessions rules, the
raising of committees to arrange for
the joint convention, and finally of the
senate with the house in joint session.
| Gov. HoIcomb sent in the resignation
/ of Senator O'SulIivan of the 18th dis
trict and on this Senator Klett spoke
feelingly of the ride other members
felt at the patriotism of Senator O'Sul-
Ivan.
| In the house Speaker Hea1ey called
to order, and Clerks E. J. Kenealy and
Arthur Countrynan were at their
desks. The calling of the roll took con-
siderable time.
In his prayer in the house the Rev.
Mr.. Smith of Mansfield, who took
Chaplain Benedict's place, asked Gods
guidance Gin these sorry times'' and
that the president and other public
officials be given wisdom
AS. soon as the joint convention was
organized Gov. Holcomb appeared, un-
attended. He said:
''Mr. President, Mr.. Speaker and
members of the General Assembly:
| SIT is common knowledge that to-
day many thousands of our electors
! who are in the military and naval
| service of the United States are alb
sent from this state on the battle
front in France or in environments IN
other states, being trained to take
their places at the front.
'"They are Connecticut's fighting
forces. There are approximately 3d.
900 of them now, and this number win
be largely increased prior to the cleo
ton next November, and they may
be absent at the next and possibly
| =.
certain that they will not return until
the task before them is completed.
| 81 know that the sentiment of this
General Assembly is unanimous in
favor of giving these absent soldier
and sailor electors the opportunity to
vote, and it is for this purpose that
have called you together pursuant to
the provision in our constitution en-
towering the governor to convene the
General Assembly in special session
in case of special emergency.
LAS you have been convened for
this special purpose it is obvious that
no other legislation should be consid-
cred or could be legally enacted at
this special session.
| The governor was applauded and
upon his retirement the joint conven-
ton was dissolved and in each branch
bill for an act was introduced.
The roll call of the house showed
that Mr. Foord of Stamford and Mr..
Babcock of Stonington are in military
service.
The expense of the session was
provided for by a bill appropriating
! S2,500. The house recessed until p.
m.
The senate adopted a resolution
of appreciation of the services of SEN
| ator O'Sullivan in the 1917 session
and recessed until 3 p. m.
A hearing on the bill was held by
the Judiciary committee during the
recess.
IrnT0"