Year: 1861

GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

 FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND UousE

 OF REPRESENTATIVES

 The condition of the national government, imperlled by continued rebellion against its rishtlul authority the extent and power of that rebellion, now more apparent than when you last assembled, and cur obligations to meet the assessment recently imposed upon this State by Congress, arc reasons why have judged this a special emergency requiring an extra ses- sion of your honorable body, and new legsla- ton relative to the subjects named.

 An act to provide increased revenue from imposts to pay interest on the public debt and for other purposes passed by Congress and approved on the 5th day of August last, inpos- es direct tax of $20 100000 annually upon the United States, and apportions to the State of Connecticut the sum of $3O9,2l4 as it's quota, to be levied upon incomes and real estate.

 For the purpose of assessing and collecting the tax, the act provides for the division of the state into collection districts, for the appoint ment of one principal assessor and one princi- pal collector with authority in each of said off cers to appoint so many assistants as the public service may require, and prescribes the manner in which such officers shall perform their respec- tive duties. It further provides that any state may assume, assess, collect, and pay into the Treasury of the United States it's quota of the direct tax, ill its own way and manner, through its own assessors and collectors, and any state which shall give notice by a proper officer therc- of to the Secretary of the Treasury on or be- 1 fore the second Monday of February next and in each succeeding year thereafter, of its inten- | tion thus to assume and pay the direct tax i'm posed by said act shall be entitled to a deduc- tion of fifteen per cent on the quota of direct tax apportioned to such state, on condition that such payment shall be made on or before the last day of June in the year to which such pay ment relates

 l would therefore recommend tax upon the grand list to pay at least portion of this as- sessment, and other measures, if necessary, to save the State the fifteen per cent proposed to be deducted by the government, and to render the appointment of so large number of Uni ted States officers unnecessary.

 General Nathaniel Lyon, native of this State was entrusted by the government with the command of division of Union forces in Mis- sour, and on the tenth day of August last, was killed at Wilson's Creek while leading his col umn against a force of rebels in numbers three times his superior. He possessed the confidence of his command, and was highly distinguished for his modesty, energy and undaunted courage. His remains were brought by a military escort 1 Co thls state, nonored With a puollc feceptloii, and buried in Eastford, his native town. by the side of his fathers. The expenses incident to the ceremonies will be cheerfully met by those Who 5. appreciate the services of the gallant sol dler, unless the State shall claim that privilege. Ills family relatives have presented the sword and belt worn by him at the time of his death, as well as his chapeau to the state which are at your disposal. w

 The recent decease of Joseph w. Dudley. a distinguished member of the House of Repre. sentatives, has caused vacancy in the board of general railroad commissioners, of which he was also member; the duty of filling which vacan cy devolves upon you.

 The active militia has not yet been organized under the new law, and in order to carry the act into practical operation it may be important tc make some alterations and additions, the detail; of which can be better presented to commit tee of your honorable body than in this commu nicaton. A few disloyal men have made efforts to render the proposed system unpopular ane odious, but there is increasing evidence that tht people regard good and efficient military or ganization as essential to the public safety. Th' people of free government must have power to execute their OWE will, and this power car rest nowhere with so little danger as in the handi