USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume II > Part 42
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Finally the Assembly voted tax relief without waiting for action in other states. The bill cleared the Senate March 15, and, under sus- pension of the rules, passed the House the next day. The exemptions were granted on the condition that they result in the continuation of essential services, the improvement thereof over present levels, and the rehabilitation and improvement of the plant and equipment. Railroads whose net operating income was less than eight per cent of the gross earnings were exempt from taxes. Taxes on earnings in excess of that amount were graduated with those showing an operating income of more than 18 per cent to pay three and one-half per cent on gross earnings. This favorable legislation notwithstanding, and, despite repeated loans advanced by the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Assembly had hardly adjourned when the New Haven went into bankruptcy and there exists considerable evidence that the tax savings were not reflected in improvements in the road.6
No one seemed to have an answer for the New Haven. It had come into being as a consolidated network in the wild speculative years of the
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last part of the nineteenth century. During its years of monopolistic con- trol, insufficient funds were made available for capital improvements and the road fell into ill repair. It failed to adopt progressive policies even when the motor truck industry challenged its monopoly. Maladies later characteristic of the road were evident during the crisis of the twenties and the thirties, but the railroad, and the communities which it served, vetoed major reorganization, chose to follow an independent course of action, and depended on the revenues of a wartime commerce to post- pone what it now seems was inevitable. In its long history, the practices of the road belied those generally identified as good management. It is true, on the other hand, that as New England continued to develop as a highly specialized industrial area the character of the commerce had altered markedly, and it is likewise true that organized labor was de- manding a larger share of the gross earnings of the road. It may be conjectured, however, if the challenges to the New Haven were greater than to other industries. There are those who suggest that passenger service over railroads can continue only by public subsidy, or as a gov- ernment function. The opinion is growing that further Federal Assistance will be forthcoming only if some type of governmental supervision is established for the administration of the road. Members of Connecticut's General Assembly apparently agreed that "the maintenance and improve- ment of the service by railroads ... is a public purpose." And that taxes were exempted to achieve this public benefit. The future of the road is not clear. Whether in the long run the railroad could be operated under the aegis of private enterprise for a profit, seems problematical.
Labor and Politics
There had developed an apparent stiffening in opposition to increas- ing unemployment compensation benefits for labor. It was proposed in the 1959 session that the maximum for jobless pay benefits be increased from 45 dollars a week to 50 per cent of the average wage in the State; that the period of benefits be fixed at 26 weeks, instead of ranging from eight to 26 weeks; and that the coverage be extended to include employ- ers of two or more persons. The Republicans offered only token opposi- tion in the Senate, but in the House they caught the Democrats with-
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out their full membership present and defeated the bill. Labor leaders were stunned. They had been strong supporters of the Democratic party and there were many labor representatives in the House. In an effort to salvage the bill, and to remain in the good graces of labor, the Demo- crats resubmitted a bill, shorn of most of its significant features, and then passed it in the House by the narrow margin of two votes.7 The Republican Party in 1961 turned down a Democratic measure contain- ing essentially the same characteristics as the bill which failed in 1959 and proposed an increase in unemployment compensation from 45 to 48 dollars a week. It did not provide a basis for compromise, however, inasmuch it was coupled with a provision that one-half of social security payments and one-half of the pension fund paid by the workers was to be deducted from jobless pay checks. Since this was unaccept- able to labor, jobless pay legislation remained essentially unchanged.8 The Legislature voted, however, to take advantage of the federal emer- gency program providing extra jobless benefits while retaining the essen- tial characteristics of the State's program.9
Important changes were made in other labor legislation. The com- pensatory benefits to workers were extended and increased. Workers' compensation was made applicable in 1959 to employers of two or more, the time required to lapse before benefits were made collectable from the third rather than the seventh day, the maximum benefit was raised from 45 dollars a week to 55 per cent of the State's average production wage, and in 1961 the law was extended to cover 12 specific body in- juries. Of greater significance perhaps, was the increase in the minimum wage from $1.00 to $1.25.10
Notwithstanding the legislation enacted, the view prevailed in 1961 that substantial gains for labor had been blocked for the first time in many years. It was reported that "organized labor received only a frac- tion of the legislation unions sought." The biggest disappointment was the failure to make any changes in the jobless pay law. This disappoint- ment was more bitter because of the failure to make any changes in 1959 when the Democrats controlled both houses of the Assembly and Ribicoff was still Governor. It is this, and the failure of the State to negotiate effectively the labor differences between Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and Sikorsky Aircraft and their respective employees, that pro-
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vides the basis for Congressman Frank Kowalski's challenge of Ribicoff for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate, but the extent of the discontent in terms of political importance remains to be demonstrated as the contest progresses.11
Legislation for a Modern Society
An effort to make the election laws accord with the needs of a modern society was reflected in amendments to the constitution which received first round approval by the Assembly as required by the Con- stitution. What indeed might prove to be a stroke at the Republicans' cherished home rule was contained in the proposal to deny town officials the exclusive privilege of determining the qualifications for voting. An amendment to pair the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the ballot in a manner which would insure that the successful candidates would be of the same party was recognition of the increased importance of the executive branch. Other amendments were approved which recognized the increasing mobility of the population. If finally approved, voters in absentia would be able to cast their vote for constitutional amendments, and those overseas in the employ of the government would be admitted as voters in absentia. Also a voter in the state who moved from one town to another would not have to take a test in order to become a voter at his new residence.12
In its refusal to provide funds for the Board of Education to assume responsibility for providing educational television, while extending funds to a private association organized for a similar purpose, the State seemed to indicate a preference for reliance upon private efforts to spearhead novel undertakings. Despite the fact that educational television channels had been granted to Connecticut, the Legislature consistently refused to vote the monies necessary to begin a program. As a result and on the assumption that a private organization could activate educational tele- vision more effectively and more cheaply, there was organized in 1959 a non-profit organization for this purpose. It was assumed that monies would be provided by private contributions, but at the end of two years the program was not in operation and it appeared desirable to apply to the State for assistance. The State Board of Education was authorized
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to expend $50,000 for the purchase of educational programs to be used in direct classroom instruction. In the last days of the session of the 1961 assembly there was introduced and approved, apparently without the knowledge of the Department of Education, legislation granting an additional $200,000 for educational television. The merits of educational television in Connecticut are yet to be demonstrated, but the State had embarked upon an interesting experiment. Inasmuch as the Board of Directors of the private association was self perpetuating, the power to determine that which is taught in the public schools through the medium of television is removed from the citizen control which is characteristic of American education. Then, too, the State, after abdicating its respon- sibility to maintain control of an educational service for the public, provided what appears to be the major support for the independent pri- vate association.18
Some of the most significant legislation involved changes in the ancient settlement law. Although the law had been somewhat liberalized in recent years, it continued to fail to meet the needs of an increasingly mobile population. Incidents arising from the importation of a number of domestic workers highlighted the inadequacies of the law. Upon the recommendation of a special commission headed by Dr. Edward M. Cohart of Yale, settlement was eliminated as a basis for welfare assist- ance. In addition, an interstate compact was authorized which permitted the state to enter into agreements with other states for the care of citi- zens of the respective states on a reciprocal basis.14
Dempsey Gains the Initiative
Until a dramatic development, fashioned largely by the Governor himself, John Dempsey seemed destined to be remembered in history only as the person who completed Ribicoff's second term. Although Dempsey had moved swiftly in support of the New Haven, the rail- road hardly held a position in public affection upon which a political career could be furthered. Then, too, legislation in the Assembly re- mained at a standstill. Veteran political observers shook their heads sor- rowfully over the likeable Irishman inheriting such an impossible politi- cal situation. Whispers were heard that he might move on to Washing-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
ton, others that he might move back to Putnam. Either of these might still be true, but condolences were premature. Citizen's groups from every part of the State had appeared at the Capital urging that roads be built in some particular area, but their pleas seemed in vain because of the lack of funds. The Governor unexpectedly in the early part of May proposed that 90 miles of roads be built in addition to those already authorized. The plan would benefit thirty-five communities and would cost 150 millions of dollars. It was predicated on the continuance of the diversion of highway fees as surety against which bonds would be issued as necessary to complete the roads in four years. The Republican lead- ers called it a "wild country sleigh ride" and prematurely predicted defeat for the plan. Peter Mariani, the Minority Leader in the Senate, feared borrowing more money. Tyler Patterson, the Majority Leader in the House, was quoted as being ready to vote on the Governor's pro- posal three days after it was suggested. It appeared to the Chairman of the Republican Party that the plan was a vote building measure. It was. The Republican counter proposal did not, however, have comparable appeal. They proposed to build the same roads in six years on the famil- iar "pay as you go" basis and claimed that this would save the State $75,000,000 in interest charges. The Governor had seized the initiative and exploited it by demanding a public hearing. He insisted that the roads were too important a question for the political leaders to decide without listening to public opinion. When an estimated 600 persons jammed the House on May 18, it was evident that the Governor had judged correctly the temper of the people, just how correctly was con- firmed when leading Republicans appeared in support of the proposal. When the House convened the next day it was apparent that the Repub- licans were in favor of building roads but were against issuing bonds. The impact of the Governor's proposal had been so great that obviously it would have been political suicide for anyone to have stood in absolute opposition. It is out of such realities that political issues are compro- mised. The agreement was principally in accord with Governor Demp- sey's terms. Thirty year bonds were to be issued for the building of about ninety miles of roads in four years. To make it possible to end diversion, as the Republicans had demanded, motor vehicle fees were increased from eight to ten dollars. The Governor looked confidently
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toward resolving the major issues still pending before the legislature and perhaps more confidently to becoming Governor in his own right.15
Budget and Taxes
The fiscal policies, the issues out of which political parties in Con- necticut biennially seek to gain the greatest advantage, were most diffi- cult for the Dempsey Administration. Not only had Ribicoff's austerity program resulted in a deficit of 14 million, but it had resulted in the neglect of many services which could no longer be postponed. The new Governor recommended for the biennium a general fund budget of 589.2 million, Republicans were sure they could reduce this amount and pro- ceeded to prepare their own plan for expending the State's revenues. When this was presented, the Democrats were equally certain that the Governor's proposal was better. After each party and its individual mem- bers had attempted to gain all the political advantage possible before the adjournment of the Assembly, the party leaders took over and agreed on the highest operating budget in history. Governor Dempsey claimed it would produce a deficit of 25 million dollars, but the Republican Majority Leaders in the House responded "Baloney." A bonding program of 67 million dollars was arrived at by the same procedure. An impor- tant variance in the two versions was the monies provided by the Repub- licans for the State Colleges. The two million dollars provided for the beginning of a medical-dental school in Hartford was the culmination of many years of effort.16
Of even greater potential political significance was the tax program which was voted to continue and extend services of the State. Addi- tional taxes were voted which it was estimated would result in approx- imately 125 million in new revenue. These taxes included an increase in the sales tax from three to three and one-half per cent, an increase in the cigarette tax from three to five cents a pack, a doubling of the liquor tax, and a substantial increase in the business tax. The Democrats held the view that the continuation of established services and the demands for additional ones made increased taxes inevitable. The Re- publicans sought to lay the increases to fiscal folly and to create the impression that they had yielded reluctantly.17
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In Connecticut, as elsewhere, budget and taxes frequently cause the tides upon which one rides to political success and another is washed to political oblivion. As politics is played in Connecticut, each party seeks to identify itself as the party capable of providing more services at less cost than its opponent. It frequently results that the party not in control of the Executive branch insists upon a budget for which there most likely will not be adequate funds. The thinking behind such seem- ingly irresponsible tactics is that inasmuch as the Governor is responsible for balancing the budget, if at the end of the biennium a deficit exists, the incumbent might be portrayed to the electorate as an ineffective executive who does not warrant their continued confidence on election day. If taxes are increased to avoid a deficit, it is similarly assumed that the responsibility for such increases rests most heavily on the Governor. As the 1962 Gubernatorial campaign approached, it was evident that the Republicans were attempting to capitalize on both circumstances. The Governor, on the other hand, after attempting to cause the Republi- cans to assume joint responsibility for the tax increase, gave some evi- dence of being ready to introduce a tactic somewhat novel in political campaigning in economy minded Connecticut. He sought to direct the attention of the electorate to the new services the additional taxes were providing. The voters will render the ultimate decision and historians will evaluate the wisdom of the politicians' tactics.
NOTES-CHAPTER XXXIX
1. Journal of the House, 1961, pp. 333-41; Hartford Courant, Jan. 17, May 21, 28, June 4, 1961.
2. Ibid., Feb. 15, 1961.
3. Ibid., June 11, 1961.
4. Ibid., Jan. 22, 1961; Journal of the House, 1961, p. 339.
S. Hartford Courant, Feb. 2, 6, 9, 10, 1961.
6. Journal of the House, 1961, pp. 630-31; Journal of the Senate, 1961, pp. 550-51.
7. Ibid., 1959, pp. 1055, 1180; Journal of the House, 1959, pp. 1763-77, 1813, 1924-35; Public Acts, 1959, pp. 1347-50; Hartford Courant, May 23, 29, June 4, 1959.
8. Hartford Courant, June 2, 8, 11, 1961.
9. Ibid., June 8, 1961.
10. Ibid., May 23, June 4, 1959, June 8, 11, 1961.
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11. Ibid., June 11, 1961.
12. Ibid .; Public Acts, 1961, pp. 925-36.
13. Hartford Courant, Mar. 4, 1959, May 3, 1961.
14. Ibid., June 1, 1961; Public Acts, 1961, pp. 544-47.
15. Journal of the House, 1961, pp. 1021-1221; Hartford Courant, May 10, 11, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23, June 2, 4, 7, 1961.
16. Hartford Courant, May 3, 19, 20, 27, June 2, 3, 8, 1961.
17. Hartford Courant, May 14, June 6, 8, 11, 1962.
INDEX (see ADDENDUM INDEX following)
Index
(Volumes I and II are paged continuously, Volume II beginning with page 465 of text.)
Abington Public Library (illus.), 509 Abercrombie, James, 262-63 Abolition, step toward, 390;
movement, 520-27, 554, 583-84, 590-91; societies, 522 Abolitionists, 520-27
Academies, 159, 358, 366, 396, 518, 540-42 Acadia, 345; expedition against, 212-13 Acadians, 259-60; evacuation, 259 Accident compensation, 773
Accidents, railroad, 659-61
Act of 1789, 373
"Act for the Better Detecting and More Effectual Punishment of Prophaneness and Immorality," 232
Act for Defense of Liberty in This State, 562 Actors, 740 Actresses, 740
Adams, John, 311, 398, 406, 426, 444; John Quincy, 525; Adams, Sam, 309 Adjutant General, State, 565
Administrative reorganization, 874-76
Administrator, Federal, 860
"Admitted Inhabitants," 50-51, 79 Advertising, 419, 643 Aetna Insurance Company, 499, 639-40 African Repository, 520
Agencies and Institutions, State Depart- ment, 867
Agent, Connecticut, in England, 285, 287 Agrarian background, 89-90
Agreement of 1664, 180 Agricultural conditions, early, 96-99; controls, 98; experimentation, 469, 702; machinery, 692; societies, 469-70, 696-97; survey, 470
Agricultural Experiment Station, 697, 702, 766
Agricultural and Mechanical College, State, 697-98
Agricultural Society, 469, 696-97 Agriculture, 7, 35, 66, 88, 95-99, 101, 217, 270-73, 465-70, 499, 692-703, 713, 817- 19; depleted, 443; scientific, 694, 696-97
Agriculture, State Board, 692, 696-98
Agriculture Department, United States, 702
Aid, State, 388, 394, 515-16, 543, 772, 849, 853, 867;
United States, 697-98, 853-63, 868-70, 876;
United States, reservations concerning, 862-67, 871-72
Aircraft industries, 804
Airline Railroad, 655, 662-63
Aisne-Marne, battle, 791
Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty, 257
Albany, 205, 207, 209, 264
Albany Indians, 182-83
Albany plan of union, 258
Albany Turnpike poster (illus.), 483 Alcoholic psychosis, 828
894
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
Alcorn, Hugh M., 827, 862-63
Alcott, Amos Bronson, 474, 532, 547, 744; William A., 532 Alewives, 100 Algonquian Indians, 8
Alien and Sedition Laws, 398-99
Aliens, 691, 704-13, 782, 794, 815-16, 825, 833; enemy, 782; unassimilated, 794 Allen, Ethan, 306-07, 309, 391; Timothy, 244 Allies, World War I, 779-91 passim
Allyn House, 768-69, 798
Almshouses, 725-26, 836
Alsop, John, 443; Richard, 398
Amalgamated Clothing Workers, 849
America, 19, 89, 205, 230, 234, 237, 255
American Agriculturist, 697
American Asylum for Deaf and Dumb, 512-13
American Birth Control League, 832
American Brass Company, 675, 785, 792
American Colonization Society, 520 American Cyanamid Company, Surgical Products Division, Danbury (illus.), 659 American Emigrant Company, 704-06
American Expeditionary Force, 781-91 passim
American Federation of Labor, 688, 877
American Hardware Company, 675, 785
American and Hartford Publishing Com- pany, 743
American Home Missionary Society, 558- 59
American Journal of Education, 544
American Legion, 868
American Lyceum, 544, 546
American Mercury, Hartford, 396-97, 412
American Mutual Insurance Company, 643-44
American National Life and Trust Com- pany, 644, 648
American party, 420, 569, 571, 574
American Radio League, 868
American Red Cross, 784, 868, 870
American Society for Temperance, 511
American Thread Company, 668, 676
American Union for Relief and Improve- ment of the Colored Race, 521
Americanization program, 782 Ames, Horatio, 600-01;
Oakes, 600; William, 42, 89, 148-49
Amherst, Jeffrey, Baron, 264, 269, 282-83 Amiens, Peace, 377
Amistad case, 524-25
Ammunition production, 613, 675, 778, 785 Andover, 143, 520
André, John, capture, 318-19
Andrews, Charles Bartlett, 664, 750-51, 758-63; Charles M., 11, 13, 23, 221
Andros, Sir Edmund, 117, 153, 159-60, 179-98, 221, 750;
Law of 1687, 104; regime, 153, 160, 184-98
Anglican Church, 391
Anglicanism, 81, 235
Anglicans, 140, 230-35, 248-51
Anglo-Dutch War, First, 73
Annapolis Convention, 356
Anne, Queen of England, 210, 212, 234
Ansonia, 64, 667-68, 675
Anthony, Susan B., 829
Anti-Catholicism, 504, 554, 558-59, 565
Anti-Boycott League, 813
Antietam, battle, 589
Anti-foreign legislation, 64-65; sentiment, 558-59, 564-65
Anti-Jackson sentiment, 449, 457
Anti-LeCompton meetings, 574
Anti-Mason party, 455
Anti-Nebraska meetings, 562
Antinomian controversy, 37, 168
Antiquarian and Landmarks Society, 64
Anti-revivalists, 250
Anti-Saloon League, 826-28
Apartment houses, 833
Appalachian Mountains, 285
Apples, 469
Appomattox, Lee's surrender, 599
Apprentices, 86, 108-09, 114, 150
Apprentices' Literary Association, 546
Arbitration, 772, 862
Arbitration and Mediation, State Board, 772, 860, 867, 877, 879
Archery, 739
Architects Institute, Connecticut Chapter, 742
2
895
INDEX
Architecture, 740-42; Colonial, 129-34; English, 129-30 Aristotle, 149 Arminianism, 168
Armistice, World War I, 791-92 Arms manufacturers, 472, 476, 479, 601- 02, 778, 784-87, 790-91; manufacturing, 471-73, 475-77, 479, 600-02, 613, 672, 784-87; production, 479, 601-02, 675, 778, 784- 86; trade, 779; traffic, Indian, 71
Army, American, 262; Confederate, 586-99 passim; Continental, 307-23 passim, 327-28, 340;
Continental, mutiny, 320-21;
Continental, reorganization, 320;
Occupation, 599, 791; of Potomac, 592 et seq .; Union, 586-99 passim; United States, 412-14, 781-91 passim; 869;
clothing, surplus, distribution, 849; wagons, 602
Arnold, Benedict, 306, 309-10, 314-15, 322; plot, 318-19 "Arsenal for Democracy," 787 Art, 742, 858; clubs, 742; critics, 742; galleries, 742
Artillery, Connecticut, 588-89, 598-99, 782 Artisans, emigrant, 217 Artists, 742 Arts and Crafts Club, 742
Asbury, Francis, 391 Asceticism, 136 Ashurst, Sir Henry, 211 Ashland Cotton Company, 604 Asia, 312 Assemblies, Colonial, 212
Assembly, Connecticut Colonial General, 79, 192-93, 216-18, 222, 229, 245-47, 250, 258-60, 262-63, 269, 273, 275-77, 284-87, 290-91, 293, 299, 301, 303, 306- 07, 313, 318, 321, 323-24, 334, 336; Lower House, 276-77, 299; Upper House, 256, 276-77
Assembly, Connecticut State General, 46, 334, 336, 341-44, 346-48, 350, 356, 364, 368, 373, 375-76, 378, 381, 385, 390, 394, 398-400, 405-63 passim, 470, 485, 487, 490, 498, 510, 515, 532, 538- 39, 555-56, 558, 562, 564, 571-73, 576, 581, 586, 595-96, 610, 613-14, 617, 621- 23, 626, 642-44, 648, 653-55, 657, 660, 665-66, 680, 682, 697-98, 706, 711, 728- 30, 734, 749-74, 798, 800-02, 814-16, 821-22, 826, 830, 832-33, 836, 844, 849-
50, 853, 860, 863, 865-66, 872-76, 883 Assembly, Massachusetts General, 309
Assistants, 79-80, 139, 219, 422, 439
Assistants' Court, 80
Assistants, town, 103
Association of Organized Family Social Workers, 827
Astronomy, 155, 165
Atheists, 453, 459
Atheneums, 546-47, 635, 742-43
Atherton Company, 176-78, 181, 183
Athletic field, Shelton, 858
Atlantic and Pacific stores, 834
Attorney, State, 827, 872
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