Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 2

just public aentiment which upholds all law, civil and payment of tbe fine and cost, before the session of the Conrt to which the anneal is taken, without anv expense flctttforb gdln (ourmtt. SATURDAY, MAY 9. most reprehensible practice has recently grown up on the part of some employers of threatening to dismiss persons in their employment, if such pers ns in an approaching election shall cast their votes according to their own private views and sentiments, and against the supposed interest of the employer. It is not my inten-tiou to direct this charge against any particular class of men, but whoever may justly fall within it, should be brought under the dominion of criminal law. Tbe elector is bound bv an oath to the faithful discharge of his Connecticut egt0lciture.

Reported for Ike New Haven Palladium. Thursday Morning, continued. VOTE FOE SECRETARY. Charles W. Bradley ....124 John B.

Robertson 116 Blank 1 Charles W. Bradley was declared elected. FOR TREASURER. I Alonzo W. Birgo Joseph B.

Gilbert 116 criminal, more ettectuaiiy man me comoinea mnuence of all other causes. It follows necessarily, as the result in all such cases, where the presumed rigbla of men are-rashly interfered with, tltat the law itself becomes a dead letter, an5 while on the one hand the sober sense of the communfty is outraged, on the other the sworn officers of the law are in danger of tampering with their con-' sciences, in conniving at its open and notorious violation. I should be guilty of an unpardonable omission, were I not to add. that, iu mv iudttmeut. the act in question is in conflict with the constitution of the United Slates.

It prohibits the sale of these articles of commerce, by the cargo, in the original casks, or in any quantity, and equally by the importer, those who purchase of aud all others. The constitution of the United States confers upon Congress the exclusive power to collect duties on imports, (with a slight exception,) and to regulate commerce with foreign nations and between the several States and with the Indian tribes. luee well known articles of commerce are introduced uuder the sanction of laws of Congress, and pay duties to the government. The Supreme Court of the U. S.

have declared the case of Brown, against the State of Maryland, that both the revenue power and the power to regulate commerce, cairy with them the right of sale. It is obvious that, without it, these essential powers of Congress would bo annihilated, aud we should be carried back to the old confederation. Nor has a State the power; to decide against Congress that the introduction or sale of any one article is prejudicial to the true of the State for if it were so, the decision of the State would be final, and the power could be extended to every article of commerce. This State and any other might prohibit the sale of all foreign articles the sugars of Louisiana, the cotton of South Carolina, tbe wheat of Michigan, the woollens and cottons of Massachusetts. The products of slave labor might be interdicted at the North, the presumed products of a protective tariff' might be interdicted at the South.

Every article of the growth or manufac ture of this State, might be interdicted in every other State of tho Union. Nor can the right of sale be limited to the importer, for if it were so, the States could sub stantially annihilate the revenue of the Federal Goveru- ii t. inent anu an loreigu ana uomesuc commerce. is iu.u and worse than idle to suppose that the supremacy of the powers of Congress, expressly conferred by the Constitution, can be crippled by State laws or that an act of the State in conflict with that instrument, should be permitted to remain upon the statute book. If there be any act, which is wrong in itself and which rises to the magnitude of an offence against the public, let it be denounced and punished as a crime.

Whether the act of selling intoxicating drinks to habitual inebriatesthe act of keeping a disorderly house or shop, the resort of the vicious for the purposes of excessive indulgence the act of keeping a store or shop in which tbe intemperate, or miuors, or apprentices are supplied with the intoxicating draught, aud other acts ot like character, which may be specifically defined, be not grievous offences against the good order and happiness of society, richly deserving to be visited with the terrors of criminal law, in the estimation of the whole community, is submitted to your careful and deliberate consideration. The education of youth, in a free State, is ever a subject of momentous interest. Here we lay the foundation of that improved society, supposed to exist, and of that free government and all its kindred institutions, which rest upon man's capacity for self-government. Without disparaging the higher seminaries of learning, I would especially commend to your attention the Common Schools, in which the people generally are taught, and which are more particularly nuder their immediate care and superintendence, if these are placed in (he highest practicable condition, the higher institutions will be sure to be provided for. If there be any pecuniary sacrifice necessrry to introduce any well-attested im provement, or to save these schools lrom lagging behind tbe age, let it be made with that generous, self-sacrifi cing devotion, which becomes an educated community.

But in all our legislation, let us never lose sight of the fundamental principle, which with certain exceptions we have ever acted upon, that these, common schools should be under superintending care and control of the perent. If the parent has not an unlading interest in the education of a beloved child, in which the State may justly confide, I kuow not to what quarter we shall look for it. More especially is it desirable that some feasible plan should be devised, which would be sustained by public opinion, for enlarging and improving, as far and as fast as practicable, the qualifications of instructors, to the end that the higher branches may be opened to the children of parents in moderate pecuniary circumstances. For lack of it, many of the brightest minds, many of the most largely endowed intellects, which might otherwise have adorned and blessed society, are left obscured by the sad influences of poverty. Let that noble principle of our institutions, by which the- humblest citizen is placed upon a footing of political equality with the highest, be extended in some measure at least to his children, so that when they seek au acquaintance with the higher branches of learning, no insuperable barrier may be in their way.

The School Fund, that source of just pride to the people of this State, with its capital of $2,070,055,01, vi-ding the present year the sum of $119,335, to 85,275 children between the nges of 4 and 16. furnishes strong evidence of a just public seutiment, which may be safely relied on for any wise aud salutary legislation, in furtherance of the great cause of education. The measure adopted a year ago, of creating the new office of Assistant School Fund Commissioner, at the salary of a thousand dollars per annum, with his expeuses, seems not to have been demanded by the exigences of the public service. Neither the present distinguished and able Commissioner of the Fund, nor his predecessor, in any official communication, ever called for this assistance. The monies of the Fund are not held by the Commissioner.

He is neither the receiving nor the disbursing officer, tut the Treasurer of the State is the Treasurer of the Fund. It is the duty of the Commissioner to see to the loans aud securities. These appear from documents on file in the office, and a full statement of them is annually made and submitted to the Legislature. There is probably as little occasion for an Assistant to look after the Commissioner of the School Fund, or to qualify himself to succeed him, os iu the casts of the Treasurer or the Comptroller, operhaps most officers of the Government. 1 recommend the abolition of this new office, leaving, as heretofore, an undivided responsibility.

The Connecticut State I risou has been conducted with, such admirable success, as to have acquired the reputa tion, both in this country aud abroad, of being a model prison for that species of discipline which is practiced in it. It is the high duty of tho Legislature to see that nothing occur which shall impair its reputation or its efficiency. I would suggest that the Warden of the prison should be required to settle his accounts at the Comptroller's office. It is not now the practice to do so, but it is not perceived how this can be permitted, while the Constitution declares that the Comptroller shall ad just and settle all public accounts and demands, except grauts and orders ot the General Assembly. In consequence of this practice, no account is to be found of the affairs of the prison during the last fiscal year, either in the office of the Comptroller, or that of the Treasurer, except the payment iuto the latter office of the sum of $7,000.

This fund, derived from the labor of convicts, stould be regarded in some measure as a trust fund tor the discharge of those high duties of government, which partake largely of the nature of offices of humanity. Of this character is the education of the iudigeut deaf and dumb, and of the indigent deaf, dumb and blind, aud the support, comfort and cure of the indigent insane. And iu regard to all these classes of objects, tbe provision should not le limited 6trictly tp those who are indigent, but should be extended to those families in moderate circumstances, whose means are inadequate to sustain a relative at a public institution at the high rates now usually charged. More especially is it desirable that an arrangement be made with the Retreat for the Insane, by which the prices, otherwise necessarily high, should be brought clown within the reach of all sufferers. The idea is not to be tolerated, that any considerable number of persons are to be precluded from the best known alleviation and remedy of the worst of all maladies.

The judicial expeuses for the past year, exclusive of the salaries of the Judges, have amounted to the sum of $33,911.22. This showsa rapid increase of this item of expenditure. The attention of the Legislature has been callen to it by my predecessors, more than once. It is beheved that here is room for the hand of reform. I would suggest that a law be passed, providing that in appeals in criminal cases, the appeal may be vacated on in that court.

I would also suggest that the preseut law bo so amended, that when the expenses ot keeping a prisoner have been once paid by his labor, they be not paid over again by the State. This is a heavy charge upon the Treasury. I would also recommend that the trial of all offeuces be transferred from the Superior to the County Court, except such as require the intervention of a Grand Jury and that tbe several County Courts be required to bold, as often as in their judgment the public interest would be promoted by it, secial sessions of general gaol delivery for die more speedy trial of offenders. This measure, if faithfully executed, would di- anuisupuuiio-ieuMj. lacunar ine progress oi civu trials, relieve suitors of some portion of the law's delay, audtake from the Superior Court, a fraction of the undue share of the public business now thrown upon it.

Finally, the whole- subject should be looked into fully and thoroughly, with a view to" detect error, e'xtrava- gance, or abuse, wnerever may oe iounu, and to apply to it an effectual remedy. The balance in the Treasury pn the 31st day of March last the close of the fiscal year was, by the Comptroller's account, $14,704,73. By the Treasurer's account it is stated to be $17,020,82. The apparent discrepancy is occasioned by two orders, amountiug to the sum of $2,316,09, issued by the Comptroller, on the 31st if March, for expeuses of the year which were not presented at the Treasury until the 1st day of May, and were therefore uot carried into tho Treasurer's account. The true balance, therefore, is that already stated, of while the balance at the commencement of the year was $25,300,89, showing an expenditure during the year beyond the income, to tbe amountof $10,596,16.

There is also a further charge against this reduced balance for the expenses incurred during the past year in executing the Statistical Law of the last sessiou. It is impossible to estimate with any great accuracy, what the amountof this charge will be, but it will very considerably reduce the balance in the Treasury, and it will probably be necessary to borrow money iu order to pay the debenture and contingent expenses of the present General Assembly. These, with other will put it out of your-power to meet the public demands upou your legislation, in as full and ample a manner as yon might otherwise have done, at least withont expending the permanent funds of the State, involving; it iu debt, or increasing the State tax either of which later measures yon will be little inclined to adopt. While it has been the policy of this State to practice an enlightened economy, to establish a permanent fund for the support of its government, and a (termanent fund for the support of its schools, and to embark neither its money nor its credit in any projects of canals or railroads, leaving them private enterprise, with a view to relieve the citizen of alt uneecessary burdens, we have perhaps for this very reason been too inattentive to the just principles of taxation. All taxation is founded on the idea of protecting person and properly the poll tax or its equivalent being for the persou all other taxes for property.

The present system is unequal. It presses too lightly on the rich, too heavily on the poor and middling classes especially when all classes are subject to the present unequal federal tax on consumption. The system is unreasonable and unjust. The true principle is to tax meu in proportion to their ability. It has been carried out elsewhere it can be carried out here.

Aud when carried out, much capital now driven out of the State.would flow back into it. The whole subiect is one of too great importance and too great difficulty, to be disposed of hastily, at a single session. 'At the same time, it ought not to be lost sight of. With great deference to conflicting opinions, it is most respectfully submitted, that a just system adapted to our wants, should be matured aud presented in the form of an act, and continued to the next session of the General Assembly, with a view to attract public attention and discussion, that the whole subject may then be disposed of, so as to secure the interests ol the State, and the equal rights of all. There is auother subject which ought not to be overlooked.

The militia of the State, embracing now abont fifty thousand men, deserves the earnest care and most favorable consideration of the Legislature. It is the militia, by which we are relieved of the most formidable evil of standing armies. It is the army of citizen soldiers, by which the country must be defended in war; by which in peace the security of person and property, the supremacy of law and order, are to be maintained. The fact of the existence of this organized body, ready to act, apou a legal call, at a moment's warning, to quell outbreaks of violence, and to put down all resistance to the execution of the laws, operates quietly, secretly, unheeded by most, exertiug a powerful aud all-pervading influence in pseser ving the peace of society not the less valuable because uot often seen in the exercise of physical force. For such an object in on enlightened commuuity, it is needless to bespeak legislative favor.

The State of Connecticut has just reason to be proud of her militia, which is sustained more by tho power of public sentiment, than by favor of the laws. If there be any reasonable provision, by which the soldier may be relieved of an unnecessary burden, by which the officer can be more thoroughly drilled and instructed, or by which the organization of this enrolled army can be rendered more complete and perfect, you may rest assured of my most hearty concurrence in the adoption and execution of the measure. The banks of this State are believed to be in a sound condition. They were released in 1844 of no inconsiderable share of that stern and rigid supervision which the State had exercised over them since the year 1837. In my view, no circumstances, however prosperous, can justify the relaxation cf that supervision.

The very ex istence ot it prevents the mischief iu advance, and nips the evil iu the bud. As long as these banks exercise the high sovereign power of furnishing the practical currency of the people, the government cannot be justified iu a languid or careless oversight of them. I pass from our doinesticJatVairs.to others equally interesting to us in our relations with the federal government. It is not improbable that the tariff act of 1842 will be modified before the close of the present session of Congress. This will necessarily preseut to your consideration, a subject of great magnitude, upon which the voice of this commonwealth as oue of the soveregn States of the Union, and possessing a large interest in the question, is entitled to be heard through the action of her Legislature.

1 have too great confidence in Ihe wisdom and justice of Congress to believe, that any great change in the rates of duties, affecting large investments of capital induced by the existing law, will be hastily made, without giving fair and reasonable opportunity to capital and labor, by a gradual operation, to adjust themselves quietly to the new state of things. This would both hazard the per- iv.i. Illaueill SUUUesB Ul liic lucoauic, anu iai.i&ij unjust towards great national interests, which ought not to be subjected to cnanges great anu suuuen, wiiuoin urgent necessity. On the other hand, it is highly important to the people of this State, ond especiully to theclass of manufacturers, that we should not listen to blind clamor, or shut our eyes to the acknowledged facts, which must control this subject, lest we should lose what is fairly within our reach, by grasping at what is beyond it. It is vain to suppose, that the people of -this country will not discern and believe that a tariff" of duties is but a list of taxes, as much so as if they were paid to a legal officer at the heel of a tax warrant or that the policy of high taxes can never be a favorite or popular policy with the great body of the people or that they should be willing that taxes should be levied upon them, which do not go into the public treasury, but into the pockets of a particular class for the.

purpose of sustaining the business of that class. These propositions, it is believed, are too clear and manifest to be brought iuw.doubt or question by any person jjf ordinary intelligence, whatever his wishes may he. On the oilier haud also, there are propositions equally clear, and the policy of protecting our home interests to a just and reasonable extent, reviewed in its true light, may be placed upon solid and permaneut grounds, which may safely defy the utmost power of reason aud argument to overthrow them. The poople of this country must pay taxes, to the amount of twentv-five millions of dollars annually for the support of. Government.

That amount must be paid into the National Treasury and it must be paid, in some form, by the people. It is uot a question of policy or political science, whether these taxes shall be paid, but a matter of unavoidable necessity and if they are wanted, as donbdess they are, for the economical administration of the government, the people are willing, and ever will be willing, to bear them, great as the sacrifice may be. By universal consent, these taxes are levied open foreign imports, and if they are levied, by a strictly. GrerBr'a Message. Our columns, this morning, are mostly givqn to the Message of Governor Toocey.

Our readers will thus be able to form their own estimate of its strength and its policy. In our opinion, (it is a document as thoroughly tinctured'with the arts and wiles of the demagogue, as radicalism could desired It goes the whole length of the reform measmes demanded by the progressiva spirit so rife among a certain portion of, the party who have raised his Excellency to power. We see nothing denied that they could claim at his hand no standing upon the ground of a wholesome and prudent conservatism. It is of the straight-out He halts at nothing which the extreme doctrines of the party creed can exact of a partizaa, and devotes his Message in the main, like a rabid caucus speech, to indiscriminate attack upon pretty nearly all the measures of Whig policy, and the measures of the last Legislature. This is too radical, and too partizan-like in its character for the an nual message of a Chief Magistrate of Connecticut.

The party leaders in the Legislature will welcome this auxiliary in their party purposes of mischief. They must regard it as chiming in admirably with all the party tactics now so loudly heralded by demagogues and regencies! We doubt whether there is such a lack of sound conservatism, even among the majority, as to sanction the loose doctrines of the message. It is" too radical for this latitude, too slightly considered in the effect it is calculated to produce, too rank and rife with dem-agoguism of the groveling stamp, to bo sanctioned by the people of Connecticut. It recommends the repeal of the Registry Law inviting the legislative department of the government to tear down the safeguards which prudence has thrown about the sacredness of the right of suffrage, and to throw opeu the door for fraud and intrigue, to work their worst effects upon the purity of the ballot-box. A party who seek to leave this right exposed to such infractions, and demands at the hand of its Chief Magistrate a recommendation to throw aside such a security as the Registry Law, can have no honest purposes to accomplish, and no good hope for the favor of the" people.

But we cannot this morning, follow the Message through its demagognism in detail. It advises the repeal of the License Law, the abolition of the office of Assistant School Commissioner," speaks in terms of glowing admiration of the Sub Treasury scheme, and so threads the mazes of the dominant party creed, in a style not consistent with the dignity of a State Executive, but which will call for serious animadversion hereafter. Thx National Maoazine and Industrial Record for May, is an excellent number. The Contents are Russia, its Industry and Commerce Culture of Cotton from American Seed in India A Voice front Pennsylvania! Letter of E. Cresson, Esq.

of Philadelphia', to Hon. T. Butler King Proposed Alteration in the British TariffCommerce and Navigation, by Thomas Lamb, Esq. of Boston Speech of the Hon. Andrew Stewart, in the House of Representatives, March 11, 1846 The Effects of the Sub-treasury, by the Hon.

Charles Hudson, M. C. The Wages of Labor The Public Debt of Great Britain, and British Capital Hon. Mr. Walker Sympathizes with the Mechanic Greut National Fuir at Washington Chase's Card Spinner Monthly List of Patents Statistics of Massachusetts Statistical View of the Commerce of the Uuiled States, for the year eudiog June 30ih, 1845 Foreign Trade in Metals A Glance at the Old World, Redwood Fisher, Esq.

is the editor of this Magazine. Terms, $5 per annum. FROM TKXAS A.B MEXICO. IIJEUT. PORTER AND TtfHKE OTHERS KILLED) Another Kevolulion.

of the N. Y. Tribune. New-Orleans, April 29. 13 tC Gentlemen Enclosed I send you the latest news from Mexico aud Texas, in on Extra just issued by the Tropic.

It will he found quite important. The men of our fleet off Vera Cruz are suffering severely from sickness. Lieut. Porter and four tnr.n have been killed by the Mexicans, and the Commanding General says he is not responsible! This extraordinary excuse is ouly equaled by Gen. Taylor's accepting it as a valid one for the outrage.

It is neck-and-neck now wiih our Country and Mex ico which is most ridiculous in this war on the Rio Grande. Lieut. Porter's death will be deeply lamented. He was married but a short time since. Lieut.

P. was a brave and gallant officer, and worthily bore the nunie of hi hero father. We fear that his deuth will be uure-venged. It it very amusing indeed to see the Government concentrating its energies to meet a few ill-disciplined troops of Mexico, and yet clamoring for war with England! The mail is about closing. In haste.

Important irm Mexico. P. S. A letter has just been received from Vera Crux of the 23d, that positively contradicts the rumor that the yellow fever was in th American fleet. Gen.

Bravo has been p-pointed to the command of the Eastern Division of the Mox-ican Army. He i not warm friend of Paredos, but known to hate Santa Ana. From the Galvchton Newt of the 24fc. The Telegraph. Capt.

Auld, arrived last night from theBra-cosSt. lago.and four days later from lh Army of Occupation. This steamship left Braros St. Iago at 10 o'clock, A. M.day before yesterday, being only 23 honis out.

The Captain has kindly furnished as with some memoranda, stating that on the 19th lust. Lieut. Porter of he ith Regiment, (son ef the late CoinuKxiore Porter) being out with a fatigue party of leu men, (soma of them wearing uniform) and fired upon wlien within a lew miles of the camp. Lieut. Porter and three of his men were killed, in the attack, the rest of the party escaping returned to the enmp next day.

Gradual Rise or Newfoundland Above thx Ska. It is a fact worthy of notice, that the whole of the laud iu and about the neighborhood of Conception Bay very probably the whole island, is rising out of the ocean at a rate which promises, at no very distant day, materially to affect, if not to render useless, many of "the best harbors we have now on the coast At Port-de-Grave a series of observations have been made, which undeniably prove the rapid displacement of the sea-level in the vicinity. Several large flat rocks, over which schooners might pass some thirty or forty years ago with the greatest facility, are now approaching the surface, the water being scarcely navigable for a skiff. At a place called the Cosh.at the head of Bay Roberts, upwards of a mile from the sea-shore, and at several feet above iu level, covered with five or six feet of vegetable mould, there is a perfect beach, the stoues being rounded, of a moderate size, and iu all respects similar to those now found iu the adjacent A'eir foundlani Timet. A Loko Fait.

There is a man in Alexandria, who, at the last accounts had for thirty davs refused to permit a particle of food or a drop of stimulant to pass his lips. Water and that iu small quantities, was the only nourishment taken by him, and he still adhered with great pertinacity to the resolve at first expressed by him, not to seek the. benefit of medical aid. During the last few days his pulse has gradually declined in strength mwked symptoms presaged au approaching fcuiolution. I A Imperial Coachman.

The most celebrated coachman, perhaps, that ever existed, and who, although a common bearded Russ, is become almost an historical personage, is Ilia, the coachman of the Emperor Alexander of Russia. He now lives, rewarded with the rank of a "Councellor of State," in a palace in St. Peters-burgh, where he gives entertainments to his friends and kindred, and relates anecdotes of the deceased Emperor. duty. By the whole theory of republican government.

fie, as one ot the peppte, is to pass upon all laws and their ill The whole country has a deep interest in the independent as well as intelligent exercise of the electoral franchise bv everv r.itizen in it. The laws of this State have seduoosly endeavored to secure it, by denouncing as a crime, bribery and every attempt at bribery, and betting on the resnlt of elections, aud all undue influence in those 'modes iu which it was most likely, or knoWQ to be practiced. This new mode is a compound bribery, undue influence and intimidation, brought 10 bear upon a sworn elector, the most dangerous.be-cause it would be likely to be resorted to and submitted to by men who would spurn in any other form, to offer or accept a bribe. And if the proprietors of an establishment, employing several hundreds of workmen, are to be considerad as the proprietors oi uieir votes, ana when thev purchase their labor for a pecuniary consid eration, are to be considered as purchasing for the same consideration their rights as independent citizeus at the ballot box, in whatever manner or under wnatever color it may be done, the evil is too intolerable to be permitted to exist in a free country, It is believed that if this offence is ever committed by any man of otherwise respectable character, it is done under the heated influ ence of maddening party excitement, auu is uecessamy by himself, in his sober senses, severely condemned. But the honest elector, who depends upon his daily labor for the support of himself and bis family, ought not, under any circumstances to be placed in tbe predicament of submiting to this humiliation, or being turned with his family into the streets.

I recommend to your consideration the passage of a stringeut law, which shall reach and remedy the evil, ana protect me citizen, in whatever condition he may be, in the enjoyment of his just rights. At the same time, in order to secure as far as may be, equal and exact justice to all, it is highly necessary that the tribunal which in a measure adjudicates the political rights of all, should be so organized as to insure a fair hearing and the utmost impartiality. This great and desirable object cannot bo accomplished as lon as parties exist in this free country, without providing for a representation of the minority, on the constitutional board for th ail mission of electors. I therefore recommend to your most favorable consideration, the passage of a law, limiting the number of select men in each town to six, (or such other convenient number as the Legislature may prescribe) and providing that in their choice such elector shall deposit a ballot containing four names only, and that the six having the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. This would secure to the minority in every town the voices of at least two members of this important board, to be heard whenever oppression, injustice or partiality should be practiced.

I recommend also a modification of the law by which provision is made for the election of representatives on the second Monday of April when there has been a failure to elect on the first Monday. The 2d election should be on the day following the 1st Monday. The electors are present, and those who have returned home for the ouroose of ereicisins their right can more conveniently altend on that day than the Monday following. There will be less room for intrimie. and especially those influ ences from abroad, which ought uot to be countenanced.

At the hist sessiou of the Geueral Assembly au act was passed prohibiting the sale of wine and spirituous liquors as a crime, and authorizing commissioners to license the prohibited traffic at their pleasure. It is most deeply to be regrettod that any thing 6houId occur, having a teudeucy iu the least degree to prejudice the cause of temperance, or to hinder the lubors ol those who are engaged iu effecting a most beneficent reformation. The associations which have been formed, uuder whatever name, to develope a strong public opinion on this subiect, to guard against the terrible evils ot mtem- perance, arwtM uu up me laiien urotner miu suieiu uuu against the hursh severity of that false sentiment which formerly prevailed, are entitled to the warm approbation uiid zealous co-operation of all true hearted men. These societies were lormed upon the voluntary principle. Thev look the high grouud of appealing to the under standing, to convietious of duty, to the sympathies of our nature, to the best sentiments of the human mind; and they have not appealed in vain to those elements of more than legal power.

Since the repeal in 1842 of all laws on the subject, except the tavern law, leaviug the purchase and sale as a more matter of trade substantially unrestricted, the labors ot these associations have been crowned with signal success, and never perhaps, at any period, was the power of public opinion brought to bear so fully, directly and uuiversally, iu favor of this cause of humanity, us in theyeur 1845, when this new law was enacted. It is uot the least, and perhaps ought to be regarded, practically, as the foremost objection to this new law that it is likely to prejudice the cause of temperance by departing from the high ground before occupied, and descending to the use of coercion by legal pains and penalties, iu a manner which many will deem inconsistent with their just rights. Hut indenendenllv of the general influence of this new law upou the cause of morals, it is in itself liable to ob jections of the most serious character. It denounces the most innocent acts as criminal, anu pumsiies mem as crimes. It prohibits any sales of wines or spiritous liquors, in any quantity, for any purpose, under any circumstances, as a crime, which nuy subject tbe offender to a criminal prosecution.

1 lie law many places has been, aud in all might be, left iu full force, iu its original and unmitigated severity. In all such cases, if any one should sell the prohibited article for medical purposes in a case of the last extremity, or to the olhcers ol a christian church for the most holy purpose of our religion, he would be a criumial by tuts law, and might bo dragged to the bar of a court of justice, mid subjected to a penalty of one hundred dollars and all the costs and expenses of his defence aud conviction. This is now the existing law in many parts of the State in which we live. It is another most objectionable feature ol this new law, that it confers upou three meu iu every town, legis lative power the power to alter mis law at nieir pleasure, or dispeuse with it altogether. This is a most ex-Irnordinary proceeding.

The will of two men in every town is made the law on this interesting subject. It may be one thing to-day and auother thing to-morrow. If the trade is permitted one week, the establishments of all or any one who may have embarked in it, may the next week be broken up. No reason need be assigned, nor explanation given, but the motives may be locked up iu the breasts of these new law makers. If the cause be this man's political sentiments or that man's religious sentiments, or however flagrantly the power may be abused, it is all the same there can be no enquiry.

The courts of justice would have uo control over these new legislative officers, but their arbitrary will is the only rule of action for the citizen. But this act of 1845, as if fated to have every possible objection concentrated iu its provisions, actually, on the face of it, provides for the legal sauctiou of the traffic iu wiues aud spirituous liquors, aud takes care that those who engage iu it under a license may be able to say to all objectors, 'My business is sanctioned expressly by the law of the Instead of being left open to the assaults of reason and argument, the traffic, when a liceuse is grauted, is expressly upheld by positive law. What do we thiuk of a criminal law prohibiting theft under a se vere penalty, and then authorizing the board of selectmen to license such as they saw fit, to commit theft at pleasure Would such a law by its legal and moral influence tend to check the prevalence of crime, even if no liceuse should ever be granted 1 The code of criminal law should be certain, uniform, and universal, imposing one and the same rule of action upon every citizen of sufficient capacity to be responsible for his conduct. If the act prohibited be a crime, and punished as a crime, it should be a crime throughout the State, and no man should be able to escape the law, or bend it to his purposes. The judge who may purchase aud openly aud freely, the prohibited article without legal offence, ought not to be able to ascend the bench and sentence a fellow citizen to imprisonment, or amerce him in a hue, for au act in which he himself participated, or which he himself commits every day with impunity because he lives on the other side of aa imaginary fine.

Such spectacles as those shock that Mr. Birge was declared duly FOR CONTROLLER. Mason 'Cleveland 1 2 4 i Abijah Cadin.i.. i. -116 Blank -1 Mr.

Cleveland was declared elected. The business of the Convention being finished, the Senate withdrew from the Hall of the House of Repre sentatives. The result of the Convention was then announced to the House. Resolution that the Hon. Isaac Toucey has been and is duly elected Governor of the State for the year ensuing passed.

Like resolutions were passed respecting me oiner estate Officers. Resolution that a committee of one from a county, with such others as the Senate may add, be appointed to audit the accounts ol the Assessors appointed by act pi into, to collect statistical information passed. Report of Auditors to examine the Quarter waster General's account and the Arsenal Buildings at Hart ford, was read and report accepted. Quarter Master General's Report was read. Some of the statements produced considerable smiling among the members.

This Report with accompanying documents was laid on the table. Resolution coming from the Senate was passed to ap point a joint committee to wait on his Excellency, Isaac Toucey, and inform him of his election. Committee, Messrs. Catliu, and Norton of Farmington. The com mittee on the part of the Senate, was Hon.

Mr. Welch. Resolution passed to appoint a committee to wait on the Hon. Noyes Billings and the other State Officers elect and inform them of their election. Committee on the part of the House, Messrs.

Belcher of New London, and Seymour of Litchfield. The committee on the part of the Senate, was Hon. Mr. Morgan. The roll of members was again read for the purpose of being corrected in respect to residences in this city.

Resolution that the fssate printers be authorized to print for the use of the House, 500 copies of this roll and of the roll of the Senate and the rules of the House, passed. Resolution imaged, on motion ol Perkins, that VjU copies of the Quarter Master General's report, with ac companying documents also, a report ot the auditors oi the Quarter Master General accounts, be printed tor the use of the House. Adjourned till Friday morning at 9 o'clock. Friday morning, May 8. At 9 o'clock, both Houses convened the Governor was conducted into the Hall, whore the oath of office was administered, lie afterwards transmitted, by the hands ot his private Secretary, the following MESSAGE.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: I desire to express my profound acknowledgments for the high honor conferred upon me, in calling me to the responsible station which I now occupy. In entering upon its duties, I should be greatly wanting in what 1 owe to the Legislature mid the People, were I not to declare with the must unreserved frankness, the convic tions of my miud in regard to those subjects which will come under your consideration. -1 Under a government in which beyond any other, per- hups, the popular principle has predominated from the beginning, it is not to be presumed that our laws aud in stitutions are uoi suustanuaiiy auapteu lome seiuimoiiui and habits of the community. Our attention, therefore, will rather be directed to the more recent innovations or errors in legislation, if any there be, to such modifications as have become necessary, and to any abuses which may, possibly, have crept iu, There is no subject which should be brought to a severer scrutiny than those laws which touch the paramount and fundamental right of the people, by hich they wield the powers of the government. This right, the citizens right at the ballot box, is the first to be protected and seemed, the lust to be abandoned to neglect, and the violation of it should be visited with severe penal iullictious.

It may be sacrificed by entangloment in the meshes ol legal enactments, nBsaueu by bribery ami corruption, or worse lhau annihilated by intimidation or 1 i i i undue influence. 1 neso sunjccis ueuiauu at uu nines the Bpecial and vigilant attention of the Legislative Department, which can alone correct the evil, if any exist. The Constitution of the Slate prescribes definitively the qualifications of electors, und provides that the right ol the elector snail do ioneneu omy upon couvicuou oi infamous crime. Persons haviug these qualifications are entitled to be admitted electors, and those once admitted are always electors, and entitled to exercise the right while lliey reside within the State, until convicted of au infamous crime before a lawful tribunal. The agents of the ptwiple, who assemble uuder the Constitution iu a Legislative capacity, can have no power, under any pre vt i I text, to take away, limit or abridge this right ol the peo ple defined and secured by the Constitution, or to prescribe any new qualification, or uuy new indispensuble requisite to be complied with, previous to the day of election, by the whole body of existing electors, before they can choose, tor example, those general officers ot the government which the same Constitution provides shall be chosen by them.

It deserves serious consideration whether the present Registry Law does not iu soma measure conllict wila this Constitutional provision. It changes entirely the question at the polls. It is no longer the Constitutional enquiry. Is he an elector! but a totally different one, Is ho registered Have certain officers seen fit to register his uunie Have they omitted to do so by mistake If they have not registered his name, if they say they liuve not omitted it by mistake, then, no matter how clear and manifest his right an elector of fifty years' staudiug must be thrown out, and his right for that election abolished. Even the usual remedy is taken away the rejection of the votes of actual electors will no longer vitiate an election if this registry act bo a valid law, aud the people are debarred of the redress which they have always hud, both in the Legislature of the State and iu the Congress of the United States, by having their rejected votes counted iu contested elections, it they were constitutionally entitled to give them in the same manner as if actually received.

Independently of this objection to the law, the operation of it iu its present form, is felt to be adverse to the exercise of the rights of the people. It is au impediment iu their way an embarrassment an entanglement aud while, not uufrequeutly, the illegal vote of the elec tor who has changed lits residence, and has no longer the right to give it, is, by this law, irretrievably forced into the ballot box, the unsuspeciiug elector, who is entitled, finds his undoubted privilege sacrificed uuder the specious plea of more etlectually preserving it. This ought not to be. The utmost facility should be afforded to the exercise ot this highest political right of au American citiseu, which is the busis of our republican institutions, and every obstacle should be removed out of the way, und every encouragement extended to the perform-auce of the high duty involved iu it. The progress of tbe public miud has been most decisively towards universal suffrage, and this State has approximated very nearly to it.

The exceptions are few and far between, aud the cases of fraudulent voting comparatively rare. Let these be attended to with the utmost vigilance. Let the convenience of a few public officers not stand in the way of the rights of the great body of the electors. 1 am satisfied that every substantial benefit to be derived from a Registry Law, may be effectually secured by merely recording or checking the names of the electors as they cast their vote at the polls, leaviug the question of their rightful reception or rejection open at the time of voting, and open to subsequent revisiou, as the law has always stood until this recent innovation. There is another subject connncted with the freedom of elections, which demands the special consideration of the Legislature.

It is very generally believed, that a.