Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1883 — STATE AFFAIRS. [ARTICLE]

STATE AFFAIRS.

, The New York Legislature assembled at Albany on the 2d of January. Alfred C. Chapin, Democrat, was elected Speaker of the House, and Grover Cleveland, the newlyinaugurated Governor, delivered his first message. He opposes the expenditure of large sums Jn the alteration of the canals until the effect of the abolition of tolls is fully apparent; favors frequent visitations and the most thorough examination of prisons and insane asylums, and reform in the civil service; denounces special legislation, which interferes with the administration of local government, and advocates the strictest economy in the public funds. The Pennsylvania Legislature convened, at Harrisburg. John E. Beyburn, Cameron Republican, was elected President pro tern, of the Senate, and Faunce, Democrat, was chosen Speaker of the House. Gov. Hoyt states, in his message, that the finances of the State are in a highly satisfactory condition. He favors equalization of taxation upon all classes of property, and is particularly impressive that corporations should pay their share of the burden of taxation. The Nebraska Legislature met at Lincoln. A. IL Connor, Anti-monopolist, was elected President pro tern, of the Senate, and G. M. Humphrey, Republican, was chosen Speaker of the House The Legislature of Minnesota assembled at St Paul Loren Fletcher, Republican, was chosen Speaker of the House. An adjourned session of the Ohio General Assembly began at Columbus on the 2d inst Gov. Foster, in his message, recommends the passage of a uniform liquor-license law, under which the premises, and not the individual, will be licensed. He confesses the failure of the existing law, which places the liquor trade under the ban of prohibition, and believes that the plan suggested will prove acceptable to all classes. The Connecticut Legislature met at Hartford, and organized by electing Robert Coit, Republican, as President pro tern, of the Senate, and Charles H. Pine, Republican, as Speaker of the House. The black ballots were declared valid votes, and Gov. Waller and the other Democratic officers were installed. Gov. Waller, in his message, makes a-strong plea for civil-service reform. The Legislature of Indiana .assembled at 'lndianapolis and organized by electing W. D. Bynum, Democrat, as Speaker of the House and A. J. Kelly Secretary of the Senate. Tho North Carolina Legislature was organized at Raleigh by the election of Demo, cratic officers in both branches. Gov. Jarvis, in his message, reports that of the unsecured debt #8,820,000 has been compromised for #2,(500,000 in 4-per-cent bonds, and #3,806,000 of the old bonds remain outstanding. The Florida Legislature convened at Jacksonville. Charles Dougherty, Democrat, was chosen Speaker of the House. The Governor’s message shows a full treasury, and recommends a reduction of the State tax to 5 milla The Michigan Legislature assembled at Lansing. Sumner Howard, Republican, was elected Speaker of the House, £iid Edwin S. Hoskins, Republican, was chosen Secretary of the Senate. Mrs. Josephine Robinson was- elected Postmistress by acclamation. The Legislature of Massachusetts met at Boston, organized by selecting George G. Crocker, Republican, President of the Senate, and Edward A. McLaughlin, Democrat, Speaker of the House The Maine Legislature met at Augusta John L. Cutter, Republican, was elected President of the Senate, and Manchester Haynes, Republican, Speaker of the House The Tennessee Legislature organized at Nashville by the election of Democratic officers in both houses. Each adopted a resolution directing the Comptroller and Treasurer not to pay interest on the State debt under the act to fund it at (50-3-4-5-6. 'About half of the #27,000,000 has been funded under that statute. It is thought the Legislature will not go higher than 50-3, with thirty-year bonds. It is evident that the Legislature will pass a law authorizing the appointment of Railroad-Commissioners. The General Assembly of Illinois met at Springfield, and effected an organization on the second day, by the election of W. J. Campbell as President pro tern, of the Senate and Lorin C. Collins as Speaker of the House, both Republicans. The Missouri Legislature assembled at Jefferson City, and organized for business by choosing J. T. O. Morrison, Democrat, for President pro tern, of the Senate, andJ. IL Richardson, Democrat, for Speaker of the lower house. Gov. Crittenden, in his message, calls attention to the report of the Commissioner of Labor that street-car employes are compelled to work from twelve to seventeen hours per day, and argues that it is against the interest of the State to permit such demands to be made upon any class of citizens. The fourth Legislature of Colorado assembled at Denver. Stretler, of Boulder county, was elected President pro tern, of the Senate, and Davis, of Lake county, Speaker of the Housa