The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-07
THE CENTENNIAL

~ ONNECTICUT CELEBRATES today the hundredth ami O versary of the organization of its General Assembly, institution young the history of the state which existed 19O years under other systems.
 The General Assembly was raised up by the Constitution 1S18 departure many friends foes many points issue, the strongest chain of motive the desire for religious freedom.
 Connecticut founded by Thomas Hooker and his fol lowers n 1638 Windsor Hartford and Wethersfield adopted the Fundamental Order first constitution which the people undertook to set limits to their government and to define the things which might and might not do
 of John Davenport and his church associates And for years New Haven had an Independent existence.
 These church states The actual leader of the poty The founded upon the bible and the absence of statute the Biblical precedent apped this exen the criminal code very harsh It vded for the hanging by witches and the execution of dis children New Haven only church members could vote.
 Matters progressed well indeed The people elected of the legislature General Court they called it, these elected the and the magistrates
 The people frequently against the Indians, but the most part lived in peace with them once between Connecticut and the Dutch who held New gave help to the king in the French and war; somewhat by the king during the of the American revolution.
 The population increased Those in who of diff ferng religious principles than the earlier settlers These the coneregaonass en oyed nowadays known They enjoyed the benefit aid public rates privilege which denied to other groups
 There more silent struggle religious 8l8 which l39OO freemen voted the affirmative 4236i the negative. So tho constitution carried the General Assembly established and the state embarked a system which endures to this day.
 The amendment of the constitution made diff cult It has been amended of times but not fundamental respect The instrument has worked very well, but certain inequalities have under it, the chief which failure provide popular representation lower house.
 was nothe purpose of the founders to create this gross 1y unfair condition. In the beginning towns of very much the importance and nobody looked forward time when there would be number of cie each popua- ton than that of several towns.
 Bridgeport with 1750O0 people has representa- ton in the house representatives than Union with hundred people.
 The constitution of 1918 has failed in elasticity. the business of nearly possible close poraton. There initiative and referendum. The call is not the constitution. There provision for direct primaries The sparsey settled small towns have undue share of political The de have although they have sought for years the constitutional changes.
 This Centennial year a good time a public
 The few thousand people who made this constitution noa good those who live in Con- necct today Those people had railroads telegraph telephones, automobiles airshps anything of the sort Their harsh their sanitation crude and their mortal y high They splendid people for their time but their time inferior to these times.
 Connecticut ought to up abreast of the and make it's constitution to fit the modern needs of popular government among 100000 progressive people,