Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 2

recommend such a modification of the law. as ill secure the HARTFORD DAILY COURANT. spoken plainly on the subject but here is an act clearly and manifustly illegal, which we cannot believe the Judge would sanction. Can he remain silent under such a stale of things Will he not respect public sentiment sufficiently, am! will he not regard his own judicial character enough to disown such proceedings In the phrase of the Patriot and Eagle, we pause for portant to those interests, jncdcntally affected by the results, as that they be fixed upon a ptrmanent foundation. Whatever opinions may have beenenterained as to the policy of a distribution ol the income from th public lands among the Slates, especially while the duty of putting the country in a proper state of defence remains unpeTormed, the propriety of increasing the public debt, by borrowing money for this purpose, to be repaid by future taxatior, is certainly, much more than questionable.

In legislating for this nation, amidst its various, and in some respects, perhaps, conflictinginterests, there must be a spirit of concession and conciliation. With the opinions known to be entertained by a great portioi of the American people upon the subject of Distribution, and tie uncertainty which will attend the legislation upon every reative subject, so long as the execution of this measure is perasted in, it would seem to be the part of true wisdom to yield tc the evident demands of the public will, and apply the income from this fund in aid of the national faith, and in payment oi" the national debt. Let this be done, and then let the necessary amount of revenue be imposed in duties, distributed on the prhciple to which I have referred, and this interesting question nay be settled upon satisfactory terms. It is a matter of congratublion that this subject has been urged upon Congress by th National Executive, in terms which, under the circumstances in which he was placed, manifested a spirit of patriotism wrthy of his elevated station It would be foreign lo this occasion, to express my opinions npon tbe various measures, which have engaged the otlention of the Federal Government within he last year but I cannot but give utterance to my feelings that, in the successful preservation of the country, by the constitutional exercise of the veto power, from the threatened calamities of a National Bank, amidst influences which few men conlJ have overcome, the President of the United Statet has displayed a firmnos of prin. ciple in the discharge of dirt', which deserves our gratitude.

It was an act of severe duty, "earlessly performed, of which I In the modifications of the act of Congress establishing uniform system of bankruptcy, which it is admitted are neces-sary, if that act (the policy of which may well be doubted.) is lo be continued in existence, I sincerely hope that provisions may be made to include all the moneyed corporations of the country. Give to the citizens the authority, through the interposition of the courts of law, to place in the hands of commissioners, the affairs of every institution issuing a paper cur-rency, which refuses the redemption of ha bills on demand, and we should hear no more complaints of a depreciated currency, or excessive exchanges nor the necessity of a National Bank to correct the one or regulate the other. Let every sound, well regulated bank be protected in the enjoyment of every just right but let the whole school of faithless institutions which have been scattered through the country, setting the laws at defiance, corrupting the currency, and deceiving the community, be driven from existence, and tlieir management exposed to the world, and our business, our currency, and our exchanges would be in a prosperous condition. The laws respecting the imposition and collection of taxes, are in many respects defective and unequal. It has ever been the policy of our law to assess the taxes in some suitable proportion, upon the polls and property of the people.

A poll tax, equivalent to a tux upon real estate of the value of lix hundred and sixty-seven dollars, is imposed equally upon every citizen, with certain specified exceptions, without any reference to his property. To this extent all men contribute equally to the support of the government, as a consideration for those equal personal rights which it is his object to secure In establishing the rule of assessments upon properly, it would seem to lie the part of justics to assess every man according to what he is actually worth. To just the extent to which property is exempted from the tax list, is an unequal burthen cast upon the polls. If the principle he admitted that a portion of the public expense shrjl be paid by the equol contribution of every citizen, and the remainder by an equal tax upon the property of th people, the just and equitable mode would seem to be, to make the amount of a man's property, at its cash value, the rule for his assessment. The fact is notorious, that men of the largest property, sometimes pay, comparatively, the smallest amount of taxes, while severe impositions are sometimes enst upon men of very moderate means.

Lei it be made the duty of the assessors to assess every person at such a sum as, from enquiry of him and otherwise, they believe him to be actually worth and if he is dissatisfied with their judgment, give him the privilege of appealing to the Board of Relief, and of being examined before them under oath, as to the amount of his property and let such other facts and evidence be exhibited ns shall tend to establish the truth. In this mode, through the action of the assessors in the first instnnce, and by the revision and correction of the board of relief, an equol and just rule of taxation would be obtained. Assessments upon merchan's. manufacturers, nnd mechanics, should in that case, be abolished. I recommend the whole subject to your wise consideration.

I recommend the total and unconditional repeal of all existing laws authorizing imprisonment for debt. That there should remain, at this enlightened period, a law upon our statute hook, so inconsistent with the spirit of republican institutions, and so directly at war with the dictates of humanity it-self, is a snbject of the deepest surprise. The operation's of such lows have always been oppressive in the eitreme. They invade personal liberty, by placing the rights of one man at the disposal of another. They make no distinction between misfortune and crime, and they place honesty and fraud upon a common basis.

Public sentiment is in this case consonant with common justice, in demanding their immediate repeal In the event of your concurrence in this opinion, some further provisions will be necessary to guard the rights of the creditor against any fraud, and to secure a faithful application of the property of debtors in payment of their just debts. I he laws inflicting the punishment of death for certain crimes, have for many years been gradually vieldins to the demands of humanity, by a constant diminntion of the number of offences to which this punishment hos been applied. I am not aware thit those offences in respect to which this punishment has been abolished, have at all increased in consequence of it The progress of public sentiment in favor of abolishing capital punishment altogether, has in modern times been rapid and ireneral and the plea for its necessity has been most successfully assailed. The object of nil punishment should lie tho prevention of crime, and the reformatation of the orlender. It is the certainty of punishment and not its se- men most enectnally operates prevent crimes.

Having long entertained the opinion that the practice oftak-ing life as a punishment is not neraeennr c. iiu.iki.iin..r appropriation of the whole of this money for the support of common schools. An opinion was advanced some years since, calling in oues- tion, to some extent, the beneficial influence of tlie School Fund, as it bad been applied and the Legislature, by ay of experiment, established a Board ofCommissionors of Common Schools and under tne neuei mat some essential inprove-ments mieht be made, an officer has been employed, ol con siderable expense, to visit the various schools in the State, with reference to their improvement, is a pan ot iz same plan, provision was subsequently made by law for paying the visitors of the district schools, one dollar a day lor their ser. vices. The reason for the imposition of this tax, which, when the number of districts and committee-men is considered, will appear to be a considerable sum, has never been apparent.

-From time immemorial it has been deemed a part of the obligations which competent men owed to society, to attend to these duties and no inconvenience had ever been experienced. Until ihespirit of benevolence and good will to men shall cease to burn in the hearts of our people, I anticipate no difficulty in following, in this respect, in the path of our fathers. Without questioning the motives of those by whom these ex-neriments were sinrcrested and adopted. I think it obvious that the public expectations in regard to their consequences, have not been realized and that to continue them, wilt be only to entail upon the State a nseless expense. In conformity with this opinion, and in obedience to what I believe to be the public sentiment, I recommend the repeal of these laws.

Next in importance to the benefits derived Irom th success of the cause of education, I congratulate you upon the salutary influence which improved habits of temperanee are exerting upon the prosperity and happiness of the State A body of men, Ion" supposed lo have been lost to society, and in their degradation nnd misery, so long neglected that even Christian benevolence, like Ihe Priet and Levite, passed by them on the other side" have sprung into active life, and with souls once degraded, but now elevated and ennobled, are rolling on a moral reformation of unsurpassed importance. Assuming a name which associates patriot ism and piety in the mind of every A merican who utters it, they are working a revolution in the habits of society, by moral influences, and without the aidoflaw. which, ina faithful adherence to their principles, will give them an undisputed title to be regarded the followers of the father of our country. They are strking at the root of poverty, pauperism, and crime. Whatever may be the merits of the question, about which there is much difference of opinion, as to the policy of the legislation which has been adopted respecting the sale of spiri-tous liquors in any revision of these laws which yon may deem necessary, I recommend the efforts of these men and this cause to your favorable consideration.

The Banking Institutions of the Slate, and the laws respecting them, will require yourspecial and careful attention. Those institutions have grown npunder in. dividuals have acquired rights in respect to them, which should not be violated. The stockholders have rights which we. should respect, and the public have rights which we should enforce.

Fortunately, we have been exempted from many of the calamities which a faithless and reckless system of banking has entailed upon the people of some other States but the fact is notorious, that practices have grown up here, under the name of banking, and forms of law, which require the corrective application of the legislative power. A thorough reformation on this subject, is demanded at your hands, by public sentiment and I doubt not you will fearlessly discharge Ihe duty. Banks are ostensibly established for the double purpose of aiding business by loans upon paper, payable at short periods, and furnishing a representative currency. Whenever by permanent or long loans, they withdraw their capital from the demands of business or, by excessive issues ol paper hazard their capacity for redemption they violate the fundamental objects of their existence. Such "has been our system of legislation, and the practices of our citizens under it, that the various interests of society have been more or less interw oven with the action of our banks.

Their capacity lor usefulness and for injury to the public, has, in the experience of the past, been found lo be great, according to the character of the chief reasons hy I hey should be subject to the rigid supervision of public authority. While many, and perhaps most of our banks, have been fairly conducted, there are startling facts which show that in the management of others, the interests of the stockholder, and the claims of the public have been most signally disregarded One of the most palpable evils to which I invite your attention, is the application, by the directors and officers of some of tlie banks, to their own, use, of a large amount of their funds. There are banks whose husiness has been crippled; whose stock has been essentially impaired, and upon which severe losses have ftllen, chiefly from the large and permanent indebtedness of their officers This evil may be remedied by Erohibiting. under proper penalties, any director or officer of a nnk from borrowing directly or indirectly, ony portion of its funds. The objection sometimes suggested, that you will thus exclude from bank directions all men in business, betrays the selfishness of one who wishes to increase his own bonk facilities by the influence of a seat at the board, instead of presenting an argument which should have force with the disinterested and unbiassed.

The directors of a bonk are the joint agents of the stockholders and the public andwhodoes not see that a man, incapable of borrowing money, is fiee from those temptations to violate his duty, which lie before the interested and sometimes urgently pressed applicant for funds To allow the guardians of a public institution to use their station for their own personal interest, is contrary to a sound policy nnd a wise administration of the law. With these views, long entertained, ond strengthened by the constant development of facts, I recommend as one provision of a law to be enacted, that no person who is a debtor, either as principal or surety, to any bank, shall be allowed to lie a director or officer in such bank and that no bank shall be allowed to loan money, either directly or indirectly, to any of its directors or officers, or to discount any paper upon which they are parties, or in which they are, in any way, interested. Another evil to which I call your attention, is the practice, by some of the banks, of taking usurious interest, under the specious and deceptive name of exchange. The necessities of men have driven them into a submission to these exactions and thus many an enterprising citizen has, in the dialect of the subject, been shaved" out of his property, under the forms of law, bv institutions created by law, and responsible to the law. Thehighest rate of exchange between two places, con never exceed the expense of transmitting from one to the other the specie, including the insurance on its transportation and it ill fall below that, according to the state of the balances between them.

Such is the cvurse of business between this Slate and the cities of New York and Boston, that the fair rate of exchange is generally merely nominal: yet hills ond notes payable in those cities the places of nil others where the banks want funds are discounted at some oj our banks at excessive rales of exchange, besides the legal interest, and then on the other hand, droits upon these same funds are sold to the necessitous borrower, at an equally exorbitant rate. Such practices, 1 hesitate not lo say, ought to be promptly and effectually broken up. The fair rights of the hanks I would not impair; but we should not forget that the com-nunity have rights, and that it is our duty to protect them. I submit to you the propriety of establishing a Tariff of exchanges, between this State and the principal commercial places wilh which we transact business and to prohibit under adequate penalties, any bank from transcending the prescribed limits. In some of the hanks in which their capital has been essentially impaired or seriously involved, by a large amount of suspended or dishonored paper the practice of making dividends has prevailed and thus, in effect, a portion of the cap-ital is withdrawn from the banks and distributed among tlieir stockholders.

I regard it as the special duty of the Legislature to compel every bank to moke good its capital, and to maintain it unimpaired, or to wind up its affairs. A provision that any bank which shall declare a dividend while any part of its capital is impaired, shall forfeit a penolty to the State; and a further provision, that for tbe purpose of determining the right to make dividends, no suspended or dishonored paper shall bedeemed a part of its capital. would have a most salutary effect in protecting the rights of the stock-holders and of the public. Every hank would then be compelled to stand before the public in its true character, and the actual value of its stock, would, with a good degree of certainty, be known. The impositions which have frequently been practiced upon the credulous, through the fictitious prices of stock would thus be prevented.

I earnestly reiwnmend that you give effectto these suegestions, by suitable provisions of low. To prevent nn injurious effect upon those banks whose capitals have become impaired, I recommend to your favorable notice, applications coming from them for a reduction of tlieir stock to Ihe amount of their present actual sound capital Much of tlie fluctuation in husiness. and the expansion and contraction of the currency, from which many have so severe, lv suffered, have arisen from the want of a proper regulation of the issues of the banks. Specie in the vaults of a bank is the basis upon which all batik issues should rest; and when, ever its paper exceeds an amount bearing an unreasonable proportion to its specie, the public interest is put at hazard. Some further regulation on this subject is, in my judgment, imperi- ously demanded, and I recomraand it to your wise consideration.

The office of Bank Commissioner is of great importance, both to the stockholders and tho public nnd the persons filling it should be clothed with such powers as will enable them, promptly, to execute their trusts. I recommend the restoration of the authority with which they were invested by the laws of 1837, and of which, by subsequent statutes, they have been deprived. The various Saving Societies which have been established in different parts of the State, have grown np to be institutions in which a great number of people have an interest. Though they are generally well guarded by statutory regulations, it is nevertheless tlie duty of tbe government, by exam ining from time to time their condition ami inquiring into the mode in which they are manaeed, to see that all those regulation are faithfully observed, and the property ond rights of all persons interested in them are adequately protected. I recommend, therefore, that they be placet! under the supervision of the Bunk Commissioners and those officers be invested wiihthA mm nnwers to examine into their affairs and correct abuses, which tlioy possess in respect to other banks.

MONDAY. MAY -9. luiiT covvuwr, $3 rKR wnni. $2 Election of Sheriff. THIS DAT.

Every true Whig in Hartford will go to (he polls today, and give hit vote Tor Chestkk Adams Tor Sheriff. This office it one of the most important in the State, and the Whig of this town have it in their power to say whether Mr. Adams shall be clrosen or his Loco foco opponent. If they give him, as they easily can do, a majority of rocR ondrku, hi election will be placed beyond the possibility of doubt. Mr.

A. i one of our own citizen, and is well qualified to fill tho office for which he has been nominated. Rally then at the polls, Whigs of Hartford, and give him your support. The Presidential Election. From present ap.

pearances, there bid fair to be a large number of com. petitora for this high office, and circumstances induce us to expect that the campaign will open ut a much earlier day than usual. The present chief magistrate is undoubtedly looking forward to the time when lie will be brought out by his friends, as a prominentcandidate for the office. The iate President Van Buren, though defeated at the last heat, is now believed to be circumnavigating the Union, with reference to his future appearance in the race of honor. Colonel Richard M.

Johnson, Mr. Van Buren'a Vice President, has already been nominated in his own State, and doubtless intends to try hit luck in the game of honor. Mr. Calhoun, it is supposed, will be set up as the candidate of at least a parly at the South and Mr. Senator Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, is believed by manr to have a latent disposition to try his strength in the great national contest.

And, without naming any more of the possible, and perhaps probable rivals, in the grand political field of honor, Mr. Clay will certainly be set np, if he is living.by a strong party of friends and admirers throughout the Union. With regard to Mr. Tyler, he holds the office now, with all its appendages, which has heretofore been generally considered a pretty important consideration in the scale of a candidate. It is true, he has been considered as favoring the doctrine that no person should hold the office for more than one term.

But his friends attempt to draw a distinction between the case of a man who was elected to the office, and one on whom it has devolved by the constitution, in consequence of the death of the regular incumbent. How far this distinction will be considered as legitimate by the people, will be better known to us three years hence, when they are regularly called upon to decide it by their votes. Mr. Van Buren, fortunately for himself, has no other business on hand, than to take care of his political interests. It is not a new employment him and as far as activity and personal address are concerned, he will be very likely to accomplish as much as any man, under similar circumstances, might be expected to bring to pass.

If, however, as is supposed from his visit to the Hermitage, he expects to derive auy important advantage to himself, from the influence and support of his illustrious predecessor," we think he will reckon without his host. The day for "General Jackson's opinions to hare weight with the country has gone by. Adventi-tious circumstances alone ever cave him influence on an extensive scale and those circumstances having ceased to operate, his opinions will, of course, stand upon no other than the ordinary basis of moderate talents ond no extraordinary weight of character." Mr. chance is hardly worth arranging in a distinct paragraph. Mr.

Calhoun will doubtless be the favorite, among those we have named, for his own State. It may be that some others of the southern States will support him. We do not believe that Virginia, North Carolina, or Georgia, will do it. How he may stand in some of the others we do not know. If Mr.

Buchanan can secure tbe good graces of his own state, he will probably consider it as an jmportarrt omen in his favor, as the time has been, when it was thought that Pennsylvania would decide the election. To stand any chance for even that state, we presume he will find it necessary to go the wholo length with the niauufuctnring States in the doctrine of Protection to Domestic Industry, as no state will be more clamorous for a high tariff than his own. Mr. Clay's friends are already in motion, in various parts of the country, and iu no part of it more zealously than in New York. In the city they are making arrangements for the commencement ol operations in hit favor, upon a large and efficient scale and probably their example will spread, and be followed very extensively over a large part of the Union.

One question of very great importance in the case is, whether they are not premature in bringing him before the country at so early a period. It will be two years and a half before the question can be settled. This is a long campaign in a political warfare. It is true Mr. Clay in not a new man.

He has been before the public, in one way and another, for well towards forty years. During that time, his enemies have had abundant time to empty their vials of malice pon him, and probably the contents are nearly exhausted. They will, however, be filled anew, and he will be the object of at much malignant slander as ever man was. On Friday last, while our paper was being worked off, two bankrupt notices were given us with an earnest and ressing request that we would publish them in that day's paper. By so doing the time and place of bearing could be kind at Hartford, on the 24th of May a matter of great consequence to the petitioners.

The paper was nearly orked off, but for the accommodation of these petitioners, and or no other object, the Judge consented that we should publish their notices as we best could last week, Joraut we re inserted them in our next paper. Patriot and Eagle, May 7. We need not inform our readers that we have been anxiously looking tor Mr. Holbrook's explanation of the fraud that has been charged uponh'un in relation to Bankrupt notices, and we are much surprised to find from tbe above extract that the whole responsibility of the transaction rests with the District Court. For the accommodation of the petitioners, says the Patriot and Eagle, tlit Judge contented that we should publish their noticts as we lest could last week, provided toe re-inserttd them in our next paper." Can this be to Will any man believe that the truth it here told Is it possible that the District Judge sanctioned such a proceeding 1 We really cannot believe it, without tome stronger and better evidence is produced.

We have, in common with almost every newspaper in the Slate, condemned the course of Judge Jtidsou in designating the Eagle as the exclusive paper for thepub-jicstion of Bankrupt notices iu this State, and we have a reply." Connectixnt Ccgislalnre. Friday Morning, May 6. House came to order at 9 o'clock. PnminiitPB annninted to wait UDon his Excellency, the Governor, and infnrm him of his election, reported that they had perfbtmwl the duty asmgnen mem, ana that his Excellency would meet the two Houses at 10 o'clock, for the purpose of taking the oath of office. Mr.

Copp presented the credentials of Dudley Humphrey and Whiting bhepard. Representatives of the town of Siiiistmry, signed by Nathan Goodrich, as Moderator. Mr. C. staled that he understood there was some doubt of the election of these gentlemen, having been informed that they had been chosen at an illegal meeting, after the regular meeting had adjourned, and he requested that they would not take seats i is the House until the matter had been investigated.

Mr. Ni es. of iiidsor.nmde a few remarks confirm atory of the statement of Mr. Copp. and said lie understood the gentlemen named, had received hut 13 voles each.

Tim Sneaker sinied thatdiscussion to any extent wouiu be out of order until a molion on the subject had been submitted to the Mouse. Mr. Pulmer, of E. Il.iddnm, offered a resolution raising a comm'ittee to wait on the Senate and request their attendance in the House at 10 o'clock to inaugurate the Governor. Passed, nnd Messrs.

McCurdy of Lyme and Billing" of New Loudon appointed lhat com- mitlee. The hour of 10 having arrived, the Senate were convened in the Representatives Hall, His Excellency the Governor received with the customary ceremonies, prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Croswell, the oath of office administered to the Governor by His Honor Judge Hitchcock, and the Convention dissolved. Mr.

Palmer offered a resolution raising joint committee to wail upon the Governor and inform him that the Houses are rendy to receive any communication he may wish to make. Passed, and Messrs. Seymour of Litchfield and Perkins of Hartford, on the part of the House, appointed that committee. Mr. Perkins of Hartford announced that severe illness had prevented the Quarter Master General from transmitting his annnal Report to the House on the third day of the session, in compliance with the statute law on the subject.

At 11 o'clock, His Excellency, by the hands of his Private Secretary, Col. James A. Hovey, transmitted to the House the following MESSAGE. Fellow Citizens oth- Senate, and House of Representatives We have assembled, according to the provisions of the Constitution, to deliberate upon tbe interests of the people of Connecticut As the firstduty of the citizens of a Republic, it becomes us, with a devout gratitude, to acknowledge our dependence upon our Divine Creator and Benefactor, and to invoke His aid and guidance in all our deliberations. The office of the Chief Executive of the Stale having been constitutionally conferred upon me, I have taken the Oath prescrilied by law; and with a reliance upon the blessing of God, and the candor and support of my fellow citizens, I shall proceed to the execution of theduties assigned me.

We are not permitted to indulge in tho exercise of mere die-" crelionary powers, nor to speculate upon novel theories of government our powers and our duties have been prescribed by our constituents themselves, in the admirable Constitution which, for their own security and protection, they have adopted. While we should, fearlessly, discharge every duty devolving upon us as public men, we should scrupulously avoid the temptation, to transcend the limits prescribed by the people the source of all political power. The blessings of the Government under which we live, are seen in the general happiness of our citizens the security given to personal rights theguards thrown around the enjoyment of civil liberty the means furnished for he intellectual and moral improvement of our youth the independent execution of equal laws and the protection afforded to the various em ployments ot society, in ine cnanges inciaeiii 10 nuumn affairs, and the exercise of that uncontrolled spirit ofenterprize which our institutions are calculated to encourage, occasional embarrassments will, almost necessarily, mingle with our prosperity, and impair some of our interest. The chief remedy for such evil, lies in the practice of economy, frugality and industry, for which we have safe rules in the wise examples of our fathers. While some men, suffering under the panes of disappointment, imagine the cause of all their troubles to be in some mismanagement of public affairs, and impatiently expect a reparation of their fortunes through the action of government, the wise man places his confidence of success and prosperity, under Providence, mainly upon his own untrammeled exertions Still it is the duty of every government, as an agency, established by the people, for their own benefit, within the rule ol exact justice to all.

promptly, and freely to exert its constitu tional powers, in behalf of the various interests of society. Jn the eye of public authority, every interest stands on the broad platform of an equality of rights. Under our complex system, by which political power is distributed between ttie Federal nnd Stale Governments, the whole power overs revenue from imposts, has been vested in the Congress of the United States. hatever opinions may have grown up amid the circumstances of the past, and however reluctant men may be to abandon cherished theories, I cannot believe that there is any great diversity of sentiment, at the present day, among the great body of our citizens, as to the extent to which this taxing power should be exerted Indeed, it seems now to be generally, if not universally, admitted, that the amount of revenue imposed and collected, should be limited to the current expenses of an economical administration of the government, including provisions for the defence of the country. For this purpose, and to this extent, there con be no reluctance, from any quarter, to the imposition of impost duties.

In the selection of the objects of taxation for these purposes, Congress, from tlie nature of the cose, must necessarily exercise their discretion. Tbe very nature of the authority given to Congress over this subject, would seem to imply, not only the right but the duty, to be governed by a discriminating wisdom, in the selection of the subjects of impost, and in determining the amount to be assessed upon each, having reference to the interests and rights of all classes. Indeed 1 am not aware that the right of discriminating in the exercise of this power, has ever been seriously questioned by any considerable portion of the American people. If Congress have not this right, every impost law which omits from its list of taxablo subjects a single imported article, or which from any motive whatever, makes the duty upon one article greater than that up jn another, is of course unconstitutional and void. The necessaries and the luxuries oi lite must be the subjects of equal taxation, and the discriminating lavor winch has been shown to the former by almost every law which has been enacted on this subject since the organization of the government, has been an act of direct usurpation.

As a legitimate consequence fiom this theory, nearly every revenue act which has been passed by Congress, tins been an absolute nullity and the acts of every public officer, under them, have been trespasses. Such an interpretation of the Constitution cannot, lam sure, receive the sanction of the people of this State. The right to tax lor revenue, and to discriminate as to the subjects, feeing established, it is, in my judgment, the part of true wisdom so to exercise this delicate power as to furnish incidental eneourngemenl to A merican labor. In the successful exercise of manufacturing skill, and the promotion of the mechanic arts, every portion of society has a direct interest. Jn the various relations and professions of civilized and refined life, men are dependent upon each other.

Tho farmer, the professional man, the merchant, should remember that tlieir prosperity, their happiness, their wealth, are all dependent upon the success of human labor. Without the exercise of the mechanic arts, society, in a retrograde progress, would at once fall back into a period of comparative darkness, and some of the chief sources of human happiness would be dried up. While it is the duty of a legislator for this great nation, to look away from all sectional and selfish views, and to plant himself upon the principle of doing justice to all, I cannot but express my mast decided opinion, and, as I believe the opinion of the great body of the citizens of Connecticut, that it is the duty of Congress, in a spirit ot patriotism, with taxation tor revenue and defence as a principle, and protection to American labor as an incident, promptly to adjust a tariff of imposts, upon a reasonable, conciliatory, and above all a permanent basis. It is now admitted on all hands, tliat under existing laws, tlie receipts are inadequate to meet the current and legitimate demands upon the Treasury, without reference to a provision for the payment of principal or interest of tlie public debt and that a revision of the revemwlows has become indispensable. In adjusting a tonff of dimes, it is of the highest importance to avoid tbe necessity of frequent changes, and conseq ent fluctuations, which, in the experience of the past, have proved so destructive to many of our interests.

If the avails of the public lands could be pledged for the payment of the public debt, and the necessity of resorting to the current income from duties for that purpose, be avoided, the estimated amount of necessary revenue could then be assessed upon principles to which 1 have referred, without an exposure to any immediate change. The amount of duties imposed upon particular articles is not so im desire to express my full approbation, nnd that Us), as I sincere ly believe, wilh the concurrence ota large majority ot the peo-pie of this State. Without ruestioning the purity of the mo tives of those who differ from me on this subject, and yielding to them thesame right to express their opinions, which I claim tor myselt, 1 cannot hut regarc every enort tor a combination ol monied power, in a National Sank of any description, or under any form, as calling for the mtriotic resistance of every friend of republican liberty. We ate beyond tbe reach of such influ ences now, and it is the par tot wisdom to remain so. In the adjustment of the liwi relating to imposts, some set.

tied rules for the collection, afe keeping, and disbursement of the public monies, are imperiously demanded. Unless this is attained, every branch of buiiness will be exposed to constant fluctuations and derangement. Let the public funds be collected and paid out in the legal currency of tbe country, and withheld from all connection with banking institutions, and let the principle of demanding cash for all duties be fairly carried out, and a most effectual auxiliary to business nnd the currency will be secured. It is deeply to lie regretted that a measure securing this object, and wigely separating the Government from the banking power, should, hile in successful operation, have been disturbed. But it is a matter of proud satisfaction to the friends of a constitutional treasury, a sound currency, and a sound credit, and is a striking instance of the triumph of truth over prejudice, that many of those who concurred in the repeal of that measure, have, with an honorable candor, recognized many of its most important principles, in their proposed cumbersome and more expensive substitute.

As it is evident that public sentiment on this subject has been entirely misapprehended, it would seem to be extremely desirable that Congress should at once restore, with such modifications as experience shall suggest, that which, doubtless from honest but mistaken views, has been destroyed. The principle of this measure must and will, ultimately, be adopted as the settled policy of the country and the sooner the work is done, tho sooner the people will be relieved from theembarrassments and unc rtainty, in which its repeal has involved them. In connection with the manufacturing interests of this Stale, I take the liberty to call your attention to the relations between the manufacturer and those in his employ. A great amount of capital has been invested in this business, and, as necessarily incidental to the management of associated wealth, especially under corporate powers, there is a tendency to the exercise of unreasonable influences over the minds of others. When the business of one is made dependent upon the will of another, he is in danger of sacrificing his own convictions of duty, to the demands of him upon whom he is thus dependent.

Though 1 am happy the belief, that there is as great an amount of manly independence and stern integrity, among the laborers in our manufacturing establishments, as among any other class of our citizens, yet there is too much reason to-believe, that the power incident to this relation has, in some-cases, been most signally abused. The privilege of the elective franchise is one of the highest privileges of the citizen and the hole community have an interest in its untrammeled; and uncontrolled exercise. That one man should use the power of an accidental relation over others at the ballot box, and, by the terror of a discharge from business, compel obedience to his will, is not merely a most censurable species of petty tyranny, but is a serious offence against the community. 1 suggest for your consideration, the expediency of making some further provisions for securing the right of private ballot, and and lor punisning, by suitable penalties, any mterierence ny employers or oiners wiin me uiicumrouea exercise oi uie privi lege ol an elector. In many of our manufacturing establishments, a large amount of the labor is performed by children and youth of tender years, many of whom, from a variety of causes, are deprived of the sympathy and care of parental oversight.

While I would not intimate that there is any general want of humane feelings among the managers ol these establishments, yet, from the manner in which these children are employed, and the circumstances of their situation, it is obvious that there may be occasions for the interposition of public authority in their be-hall. There is, to say the least, a tendency to evils which requires the protective arm of the law. It cannot be claimed that the younger children in these manufactories ore physically competent, without great danger to their health, to labor the same length of time as persons of mature years. The labor of ten hours a day, for those under fourteen years of age, is as much as, nnder any circumstances, they ought to perform. am aw are of the delicate nature of this subject, aud of the ob jection which may be urged lo an interference with the authority of the parent over tlie child the master over the appren-tice but when I look at the subject in all its bearings, I can-' not hesitate to recommend the propriety of prohibiting any manufacturer from employing in his establishment, any children under fourteen years of age longer than ten hours in a day.

existing laws, the owners of the various manufacturing establishments, ore required to furnish tlie means of education to the children in their employ; and it is made the duty of the civil authority of the several towns, annually, to appoint visitors to see that the law is executed. But as many of these children are claimed to be beyond the control of iheir employers, and as no provision is made to defray the expenses of pursuing ihe remedy of the law, by opplication to the County Court, this Statute is practically inoperative. The necessity of providing for the education of the whole community is so universally admitted, that I think it my duty to call your attention to this important subject, and, in a revision of the seventh and eighth sections of Ibe Act relating to Masters and Servants," to provide, more effectually, lor the education of all the children in the manufacturing establishments of the State. By the Act incorporating the Medical Society of Connecticut, no physician or surgeon can, by law, collect fees for his services, unless licensed according to the provisions of that Act The importance of maintaining an elevated standard of medical science, cannot be too highly appreciated and the influence ot this Society upon the medical profession has been eminently salutary. I would not therefore countenance any measure which might in any degree impair its usefulness.

But there is a class of medical practitioners in the State, who, under the provisions of the present law do not enjoy those equal rights which it is the policy ol the institution to enforce. I recommend for vour consideration such a modification of the 8th Section of this Act, as will give to members of any other medical association, licenses to practice according to their ow rules, the same1 legal right to collect their fees, as is enjoyed by the members of the Medical Society. The School Fund established by ihewisdom of our fathers, continues to be the source of one of the richest blessings enjoyed by the people of the State. Under the faithful management ol tho vigilant officer now in its charge, and his distinguished predecessor, ihe amount has been gradually increasing, and its income has been successfully applied to the purposes of common school education The capital of the Fund now amounts to and the revenue arising from it has been paid into the Treasury with an unexpected punctuality. The dividends to theschools the last year, have been one dollar forty cents on each child, amounting to 1 and exceeding the dividends of the year 1826, hen the fund first came nnder the control of the present Commissioner, by more than 45,000, furnishing the highest evidence that the confidence so long reposed in tlie ability and faithfulness of that officer, has not been misplaced.

The whole number of children entitled to the benefit of this Fund, between the ages of four and sixteen years, according to the enumeration in August last, is 81,230. Our district schools, organized for the cultivation of these immortal minds, are the strong safeguards of our liberties and tbe deep interest which pervades the community in their successful maintenance, is one of the highest guarantees we have of the permanence of our institutions. The importance ol universal education in Repuclic is so commanding, and the duty of the community to provide the means for accomplishing it, is so urgent, that 1 cannot doulu that every suggestion lor the increase or improvement of those means, will meet with your approbation. Bv the Act passed at the special session of the Legislature in 1836-7, providing for the distribution nf that nortion of the surplus rev enue of the United States received by this State, one half the sum was appropriated to the support olvomroon fccnoois ana the other half was left subject to the eontrl of the several towns. Much was gained by the aid given to the schools by means of that law; and I am happy to know thnt in many of the towns, tbe whole sum has been appropriated to the purpose.

A favorable opportunity seems to me to be presented at the present time, to give furtlier aid to the cause of education, by securing lo that object this entire fund. I therefore society, i ciesire to see it entirely abolished. Holding this opinion, and in obedience to what I feel to be my duty, I recommend that the punishment of death for crimes be abolished and that solitary imprisonment for life be substituted in its place. The law requiring an annual registration of the electors, is not believed to have been of that essential benefit for which it was designed, and has been attended with much inconvenience and considerable expense. The professed object of the law was to guard against illegal voting but this object can, I think, be obtained in a much more simple mode.

Make it the duty of the Town Clerk to register every man's name as he depositee his ballot, and the means will be in the hands of tbe authorities of every town to protect the ballot box from unlawful votes. A careful revision of this and other election laws, is recommended to your consideration. By the act of 1833 giving the same fees to the Clerks of the County Courts as are by law allowed to the Clerks of the Superior Court the expenses of litigation in the County Court have been considerably increased. I recommend the repeal of that law. The importance of a well organized Militia is so essential to the security of our institutions, and the protection of our rights, that you will not hesitate te furnish to those of our fellow citizens engaged in the military servive, all the reasonable encouragement within your power.

It was the object of Congress in distributing to the several States their quota of arms, to place the means of defence in the hands of the soldiers. Provision has already been made for the distribution of the muskets for the use of the Infnntry companies in the several towns but the distribution of the rifles and pistols was left to the discretion of the Commissioners appointed to make the distribution of the muskets and many independent companies complain that they have not received of them their full share. I would suggest the propriety of so altering the existing law on this subject, as to require the rifles and pistols in the Arsenal to be distributed, under such restrictions as sliall be thought expedient, for the use of such companies as may need them. The duties required of the militia under existing law are arduous and in roost instances very expensive; but they are cheerfully performed and submitted to by a large portion of its members without any pecuniary reward and, fam sorry to say without the thanks of a portion of the community. As a small but just remuneration for those services I suggest the expediency of a provision that any citizen who shall have performed military duty for ten years, in any lawfully organi-zied military company, shall be forever thereafter exempted from a oll tax.

The condition of the Insane Poor of this State, will not escape your attention. It has for several years past engaged the deliberations of the General Assembly, but without resulting in any legislative action to ameliorate or improve it. So unfortunate a class of our fellow beings ought not longer to be neglected and I commend them to your guardian care and protection. I am not sufficiently apprised oi the state of the Treasury to be able to submit to you any details on that subject. This information you will unquestionably obtain from the Report of the proper officer, hich will be "submitted to you in due time.

The affairs of the State Prison, under tlie faithful management of the officer in charge of that Institution, continues to be in a prosperous state. The amount paid into the Treasury, during the past year, from the earnings of the prison, is, I am informed, about thirteen thousand dollars and the discipline of the prison is such as to answer the high expectations of the public. The reports of the Warden and Directors will furnish you more detailed information on that subject a I have in obedience to the commands of the Constitution, requiring me to recommend to your consideration such measures as I might deem expedient, presented to you such suggestions, as have occurred to me. Jn the execution ofour respective duties, let us, in a spirit of patriotic devotion to tlie public interest, fearlessly and promptly answer the demands of our constituents. Grateful for the distinguished honor conferred upon me, I shall be happy to co-operate with yon in any and all measures which shall bedeemed promotive of the public welfare.

CHAUNCEY F. CLEVELAND. New Hivin, May 6, 1842. Five hundred copies of the Message were ordered to be printed for the use of the members; and the document was transmitted to ibe Senate. Voted thnt when the House adjourn it adjourn to 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Mr. Niles of Windsor offered a Resolution authorizing the Hartford and Springfield Railroad Company to organize and commence their operations upon a stock of 300,000 dollars instead of 500,000, as stipulated in their charter. It was opposed by Mr Copp. ofGroton, who moved to refer the resolution to the proper Committee which was carried. A series of Resolutions for the election of Joint Standing Committees were proposed and adopted and The House adjourned.

Saturday Morning May 7. House called to order by the Speaker at 9 o'clock. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Iw.

Mr. Palmer offered a resolution appointing a committee on Canals. Passed. The Speaker announced the Joint Standing Committees, as follows: JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES. On fi Judiciary Hon.

Mr. Ingham, of the Senate, Messrs. Seymour, Hubbard of East Hartford. Peck of Waterbury. Bnlkley of Fairfield.

Peters. Richmond. Rcdfield and Newcomb..