James E English's Sine die Address of July 22 1870

Mr. President and Senators, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

Your committee have informed me that you have finished the business of the session, and are now ready to adjourn, and wish to know if I have any further communication to make to the General Assembly. I gladly avail myself of the occasion to appear in person and to express my high appreciation at the creditable manner in which yon have discharged the very responsible trust committed to you by the people of the State. In my inaugural message to the General Assembly, I took occasion to say that the past year has not been marked with events especially calling for legislation, and expressed a hope that your duties might be accomplished within a shorter period than that usually alloted to the ordinary session. In the expression of that hope I but gave utterence to the sentiments of our common constituency. A considerable portion of our legislation has been of a private character. The session has been prolonged on that account. I trust the day is not tar distant, when by new constitutional provisions, much of the business which now occupies the time and attention of the General Assembly, will be regulated by general law.

Yon are now, gentlemen, about to close the labors of the session. At this moment of final separation, permit me to assure yon of my sincere friendship tor you all, and to express an earnest desire that you may long continue to enjoy the confidence of your fellow-citizens ; and on your return home, meet with their just approbation of having deserved well of both town and State.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Connecticut July 22 1870