Year: 1879

Gentlemen ofthe General assembly: l accept the office to which l have been elected with profound gratitude to the people of the state, and with deep sense of the re- sponsibility which it brings. It will be my most sincere endeavor to discharge it's duties with an understanding heart, and that l may at all times discern between good and bad. 1 welcome you to the occupancy of this mo- hle cdifce. I congratulate the state of Con- necticut upon the substantial completion of it's new capitol.

 This building was commenced in 1872, and now, with the exception of a few minor de- tails, work upon the interior is finished and it IS ready for the purposes for which it was de- signed. The statues, of colossal size, to be placed at the foot of the dome, are not yet in position, but will it is expected, be erected in a short time.

 A structure of this kind should be in some degree an expression of the culture and refine ment of the people who caused it's creation : and every citizen should find source of grat ification in the fact that in this instance success has been so nearly attained. The architecture and prevailing design, while ornate, are chaste and effective the exterior is characterized by grace and beauty and the interior by c0nven- tent and connections arrangement. The fur nishing and mural decoration of the halls and chambers have been completed with excellent taste and the entire building as it stands does honor to the energy, economy and fidelity to the trust reposed in them, of the commission CTS and other gentlemen in charge. One of the most gratifying circumstances connected with the work is the fact that it will be con- pleted at cost within the estimates originally made

 The total amount expended upon the build ing up to the end of the last year has been, from the State $1 ,853, ,000-and from the city of Hartford $415, ,000. The amount expended during the last year was $452, ,565 S9. The balance of the appropriation hereafter to be drawn from the state is $165, ,000.. and from the city 1885, 900. Of the special appropriation of S10, 600 for the preparatory work on the gounds $7, $50 96 has been used. From this statement it appears that sufficient funds will remain for the completion, in detail, of the commissioners plans. When we reflect upon the rarity of such an event-the almost invarla- ble exceeding of estimates, and the corruption by which it is SO often accompanied, we may take great pride in the preservation, in thls case, of those prnnples of honesty and lnteg- rity which have been and will always be the foundation on which the prosperity and vel fare of our state must rest. Under these cir cumstances, it is with sincere pleasure that l again congratulate the people of the state upon the completion of their new capitol The state capitol commissioners 1 am informed, will in their report formally turn over the building bo the state; so that you will be dis tinguished above other general assemblies as the first to take full possession of it. l con- graduate you especially on this fact. May l not also indulge in the hope that you will not only be distinguished in this way, but withal by some improvement either in the method of enacting laws, or in the laws themselves, or in the procedure by which the laws are admin istered