Litchfield Enquirer

LEGISLATURE OF CONNECTICUT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, May 19.

Mr. Whittlesey, of Salem, offered the following: Resolved, That the committee appointed upon the petition of John Whittlesey, and others, for the repeal of the charter of the Grand Lodge, &c. have power to send for persons and papers—Laid upon the table.

Bill appointing John Q. Wilson Chief Judge, and Benjamin Isaacs and Jesse S. Bradley associate Judges of the County Court of the county of Fairfield, for the year ensuing—passed.

Bill appointing the following Judges of Probate for the year ensuing, passed:

David Hill, for the District of Fairfield,

Reuben Booth, Danbury, Samuel C. Blackman, Newtown,

Fitch Wheeler, Stratford,

Benjamin Isaacs, Norwalk, Charles Hawley,

Stamford.

Bill appointing the following Judges of Probate for the year ensuing, passed:

Samuel Ingham, for the District of Saybrook, Franklin G. Comstock, Chatham,

Charles Arnold, Haddam.

Monday morning, May 21.

Bill to repeal an act prohibiting servile labor and recreation on days of fasting and thanksgiving read third time, negatived.

The following bills received their second reading. Bill constituting the town of Weston a Probate district. In addition to an act entitled, "an act for the support of schools and for the regulation of school societies."

Authorising the Governor to commission Military Officers during the recess of the General Assembly.

The committee on Banks to whom was referred the petition of Alanson Hamlin and others for a bank at Bridgeport, reported that the prayer of said petition ought not to be granted, report accepted.

Afternoon.—The committee on the judiciary to whom was referred an act authorising writs of Replevin reported the same with an amendment, which was adopted. The bill then passed.

The committee to whom was referred a bill for the regulation of civil actions, reported the same without amendment, which passed.

Bill providing for the settlement of estates which was negatived in the House, came from the Senate passed; a committee of conference was appointed.

The House resumed the consideration of a bill appointing Stillman K. Wightman Judge of Probate for the district of Middletown the question being upon the motion of Mr. Jackson to amend the bill by erasing therefrom the name of Stillman K. Wightman and inserting in lieu thereof the name of Samuel Cooper. The motion to amend was negatived and the bill passed.

Tuesday morning, May 22.

Resolution instructing the committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of enacting a law to regulate Steam Boats, and report by bill or otherwise, passed.

The joint committee on Banks reported in favor of continuing the petition of Martin Converse and others, for a Bank at Farmington, to the next session—laid upon the table.

The committee to whom was referred an act to validate the doings of assessors and board of relief, reported the same with amendments—laid upon the table.

An act for the destruction of Crows, read first time.

Bill constituting the town of Weston a Probate-district was read third time and passed.

The Speaker presented the counter report of one of the Directors of Connecticut State Prison, after the reading of which Mr. W. H. Law offered a resolution referring the report and counter report of the directors of the prison, together with the accompanying document and also the memorial of Amos Pillsbury, to the joint comm. on the State Prison.

The resolution gave rise to a long debate, in which Messrs. S. Mix, Trumbull, Cleveland, Jackson, and T. Smith, took part—laid upon the table.

Mr. Kimberly then moved that both reports of the Directors be referred to the joint committee on the State Prison. The motion was supported by Messrs. Raymond, W. H. Law, Kimberly, Brockway, S. Mix, and Jackson, and opposed by Mr. Cleveland. Carried.

Mr. Kimberley moved that 500 copies of the reports and documents be printed, the motion was opposed by Mr. Kellogg, but before the question was taken the House adjourned.

Afternoon.—The special order of the day being the appointment of a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed Hon. Stephen T. Hosmer on the 10th of January, 1833, at which period he will arrive at the age of 70, the House proceeded to ballot: whole number of votes given was 200, necessary to a choice, 101, of which number Hon. David Daggett received 105, and was elected.

The House then proceeded to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of Hon. David Daggett Chief Justice; the following is a statement of the several ballotings:

1st ballot. 2nd.

Jabez W. Huntington, 87 99

Ralph I. Ingersoll, 88

Samuel Church, 4

Henry M. Waite, 8

Scattering, 18 8

Mr. Huntington received a majority

The House then resumed the consideration of the Resolution to refer the documents, and memorial of Pillsbury to the joint committee on the State Prison.

Brace then in the chair.

Mr. Whitman withdrew the amendment submitted by him when the resolution was introduced. After some remarks by Mr. M. the resolution was negatived,

Mr. Trumbull submitted the following:

Resolved That a joint committee, to consist of one from each county, be appointed to investigate the conduct of Amos Pillsbury, Warden of the State Prison, and report thereon to this Assembly; and that said Committee have power to send for persons and papers, and to visit said prison if they shall deem it necessary.

The resolution was opposed by Messrs. Kimberly, T. Smith, Jackson and Butler, and advocated by Messrs. S. Mix, Wood, Whitman and Cleveland, and laid upon the table

Bill to repeal an act providing for punishment by whipping, came from the Senate with a different vote. Messrs. Waldo and Booth appointed a committee of conference.

Wednesday, May 23.

The joint committee on New Towns, &c. reported a bill constituting the town of Canton, a Probate District—read first time.

The joint committee to whom was referred the petition of Josiah Parks, recommended that he have permission to withdraw his petition—report accepted.

The joint committee to whom was referred the petition of James Brewster and others on Rail Road, and the remonstrances of S. Baldwin and others, and of the Hartford and N. Haven Turnpike Company against said petition, recommended a continuance to the next session—report accepted.

The committee on the State Prison to whom was referred the petitions of F. Goodrich, Crawford, Wm. Jones, John W. S. George, Sulei Bame, Freeman, Russell Wright, Jayin Wooder and Simon Whittlesey, discharged from prison, recommended that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petitions—report accepted.

Committee to whom was referred the petition of Hezekiah Tomble made a similar report. Mr. Smith moved that the prayer of the petitioner be granted, which, after some debate, in which Messrs. I. Smith, Kimberly and Trumbull took part, was agreed to 101 to 12,

Committee to whom was referred the petitions of Isaac Deming, Cornelius K. Dix, and Abel Whitney, reported in favor of granting the prayers of said petitions, reports accepted.

Bills appointing the following Judges of Probate for the year ensuing: passed,

Eli B. Haskell, for the district of East Windsor

Lemuel Whitman, Farmington, Luther Loomis, Suffield, Romeo Lowry Southington, Joab Grifing,

Granby, John O. Pellisbone,

Simsbury.

Bill appointing Nathaniel Goodwin, Judge of Probate for the District of Hartford—

Mr. Welles of Glastenbury moved to amend the bill by erasing therefrom the name of Nathaniel Goodwin, and inserting the name of James Dodd.

Mr. Brace hoped that the motion would not prevail; Mr. Goodwin received a majority of the votes in County meeting, and would give satisfaction to the district. In 1830, Mr. Russ was removed and Mr. Dodd substituted, which office he has since held, Mr. Brace said that great deference ought to be paid to county nominations, and he hoped that of Mr. Goodwin would be sustained by the House.

Mr. Welles, of Glastenbury, said that he had repeatedly called for reasons why Mr. Dodd was to be removed, but none was nor could be given. Judge Dodd had given universal satisfaction to the district, and they were in favor of continuing him in office.

Mr. Covill said that he was unacquainted with both of the parties, but as Mr. Dodd has held the office but two years, and no charges are brought against him, he could see no reason for a change.

Mr. Trumbull remarked that it was unpleasant to enter into a controversy of this description. So far as
Mr. Dodd was concerned he would state that he had moved his family one mile out of the city, in consequence of which he had to neglect his business. Mr. Goodwin, he said, was well known to the public; he had for several years held the office of Director of the surveys, and in the distribution of estates; he would give good satisfaction to the District. He hoped that the doings of the county meeting would be confirmed.

Mr. Smith, of Berlin, said he had no disposition to interfere with the nominations of other districts, but when he saw attempts making to remove a good and faithful officer, without assigning any reasons, it was his duty to oppose it; it was an important office, and should be well filled; Mr. Dodd had held the office but two years, and had given general satisfaction. The gentlemen from Hartford had not nor they could not give any reason why Mr. Dodd should be removed. The only objection urged was that he was appointed at the session of 1830—how, he knew not, as he was not a member of the House at that time. As to the qualifications of Mr. Goodwin he knew nothing; it was an office which should not be trifled with in this manner: he knew that Mr. D. had given general satisfaction to the District, and hoped that the motion to amend would prevail.

Mr. Read remarked, that he was surprised when he heard that Mr. Dodd was appointed, as he did not consider him competent to discharge the duties of the office. Mr. Goodwin, he said, was well qualified to fill the office. He knew that a majority of the district would be better satisfied with the appointment of Mr. Goodwin.

Mr. Welles, of Glastenbury, was surprised at the remarks that had been made in relation to the qualifications of the two gentlemen named. No man, divested of prejudice, would claim that the incumbent was in any way inferior in any respect to the candidate brought forward in County meeting; and he would beg leave to add, he was more generally known, and had more fully the confidence of the district. It was true he resided one mile from the centre of the city, but his office was kept in a central situation, and there never had been any complaint of official negligence or misconduct.

Mr. Jackson said that he was in favor of the different counties making their own nominations. He knew nothing of the qualifications of either of the persons named. The only objection which he had heard urged against Mr. Dodd was that he resided one mile from the centre of the city, and that he was appointed at the session of 1830. These, he could not perceive, were sufficient reasons for removing Mr. D. He was opposed to this kind of proscription.

Mr. Trumbull was as much opposed to proscription as the gentleman from Middletown, (Mr. Jackson;) but two years ago, Mr. Russ was removed and Mr. Dodd substituted, much to the disadvantage of the District. The gentleman from Berlin, (Mr. Smith,) says it is an office which should not be trifled with in this manner. He thought that it was trifled with two years ago. Mr. Goodwin, he said, would give much better satisfaction than Mr. Dodd.

Mr. Cleaveland said that the only reason assigned by the gentleman from Hartford, (Mr. Trumbull,) was that this House had once done wrong; he was opposed to any removals for party purposes. Mr. D. he said had claims upon the House—he has a large family to support; besides it is not denied that he discharges the duties of his office to the satisfaction of the District.

Mr. Kimberly said it was contended the other day that poverty was no qualification for office. It was urged in that case, that the county nominations should be adhered to; it was so in this case; a majority of the county meeting were in favor of Mr. Goodwin. Both of the gentlemen from Hartford think the change necessary—they represent a majority of the district. He was opposed to the motion to amend.

The motion to amend was lost, ayes 33, noes 98. The bill then passed.

Bills appointing the following Judges of Probate for the year ensuing, passed. Thomas Lee, for the district of Berlin, Wm. Dixon, Enfield, Jared W. Pardee, Bristol.

The joint committee on Banks to whom was referred the petition of Wm. Yale and others, for a Bank at Meriden, recommended a continuance to the next session. Accepted.

The joint committee on new Towns and Probate Districts, reported a bill constituting the town of East Haddam a Probate district, read twice.

Bill appointing Wm. Strong, Judge of Probate for the District of Milford, for the year ensuing, passed.

Afternoon. The joint committee on roads and bridges, to whom was referred the petition of John M. Holly and others, reported a bill incorporating the Simsbury Sharon Rail Road company. The bill passed and report was accepted.

The joint committee on the State Prison, to whom was referred the petition of James Howd, Curtis Hopkins, Dan Lampier, Wm. S. Stow, Lason, praying to be discharged from prison, recommended that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition. Report accepted.

Same committee, to whom was referred the reports of the Directors of the State Prison, reported a bill appointing Andrew Demison, Henry Kilbourne, and Winthrop Buck, Directors of said Prison for the year ensuing. The bill was advocated by Messrs. Kimberly, Raymond, and opposed by Messrs. Shailer, of Glastenbury, Covill and Ingham, who to the resolution be laid upon the table. Negatived, ayes 94, noes 103.

Mr. Fairchild moved that the further consideration of the bill be postponed until Thursday morning—agreed to.

The House then took up the resolution authorizing the committee upon the petition of John Whittlesey and others, to send for persons and papers.

Mr. Fairchild moved an indefinite postponement. The motion was supported by Messrs. Fairchild, Mattherson, and Woodworth, and opposed by Messrs. Holbrook, J. Whittlesey, and Hoadley.

Mr. Wire moved the previous question, which was sustained. The motion to postpone prevailed.

Bill appointing Jabez W. Huntington Associate Judge of the Supreme Court, came from the Senate with the name of Samuel Church. Laid upon the table.

Thursday, May 24.

Bill appointing Bradford White Judge of Probate for the District of Western for the year ensuing—passed.

Bill in addition to, and alteration of an act entitled an act for the regulation of civil actions was read third time, and after some remarks by Messrs. Trumbull, S. Mix, I. E. Smith, Whitman and Daboll, was negatived.

Bill providing for the assessment and collection of taxes, read second time, and laid upon the table.

On motion of Mr. Waldo, it was Resolved, That a committee be appointed to tax bills of cost on memorials now before the General Assembly.

The joint committee on New Towns, &c. to whom was referred the petition of the town of Woodbridge, praying for a division of the town, together with a remonstrance against said petition, reported a bill incorporating the town of Bethany—the Bill passed and the report was accepted.

Resumed the consideration of the report of the committee upon the petition of Martin Cowles and others for a Bank at Farmington. Mr. Whitman moved that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, with liberty of a bill in form. The motion was advocated by Messrs. Cowles and Whitman, and opposed by Messrs. Byington, Sturgis, and Butler—before the question was taken, the House adjourned.

Afternoon.

Bill appointing Jabez W. Huntington Associate Judge, came from the Senate amended, by erasing the name of Jabez W. Huntington and inserting in lieu thereof the name of Samuel Church. The House proceeded to ballot—whole number of votes given was 200—necessary to a choice 101—Ralph I. Ingersoll 102, Samuel Church 85, Ebenezer Stoddard, Jabez W. Huntington. So the House refused to concur with the Senate.

Report of the committee upon the petition of Martin Cowles and others for a Bank at Farmington, was now taken up, the question being upon the motion of Mr. Whitman that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, with leave of a bill in form—the motion was opposed by Messrs. Starr and Daboll, and negatived—the report of the committee was then accepted.

Report of the committee on the State Prison upon the petitions of Isaac Deming, Jason Wooden, Wm. Lalog and James Cargill, came from the Senate with the prayers of said petitioners granted—committees of conference were appointed.

The joint committee on Banks to whom was referred the petition of Wm. Yale and others for a Bank at Meriden, recommended a continuance of said petition to the next session of the General Assembly—report accepted.

The committee upon that part of the Message of the Governor relating to the claims of this State against the United States for services rendered during the late war, reported a resolution for the repeal of an act passed 1816 appropriating said fund to religious societies—laid upon the table.

Bill constituting the town of Canton a Probate District, read third time, and negatived—ayes 50, noes 66.