Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 03.djvu/148

CONNECTICUT the basis of the charter of 1662. In 1686 the royal governor, Andros, attempted to obtain the charter, but, according to popular belief, it was hidden in the hollow of an oak tree. On the dethronement of James II. the colonial government resumed its functions. Connecticut took an active part in the French, Indian, Revolutionary, English (1812), and Civil Wars. She instructed her delegates in the Continental Congress to propose a declaration of independence, and was the fifth State to ratify the Federal Constitution. The Hartford convention, most memorable of gatherings in the State, assembled Dec. 15, 1814. It protested against the war with England and against the action of the national government with reference to State defense. This convention, which adjourned Jan. 5, 1815, raised the Federal party in the estimation of the people.  CONNECTICUT, a river of the United States, the W. branch of which forms by treaty the boundary between the United States and Canada to lat. 45° N. It rises on the N. border of New Hampshire; forms the boundary between Vermont and New Hampshire, passes through the W. part of Massachusetts and the central part of Connecticut, and falls into Long Island Sound. It is navigable for vessels drawing from 8 to 10 feet for about 300 miles from its mouth, subsidiary canals, however, being required above Hartford; total length, 450 miles. It is famed for its shad fisheries.  CONNECTICUT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, an institution for the higher education of women, founded in New London, Conn., in 1911. The college has received generous gifts for endowment, including $1,000,000 from Morton F. Plant. It was officially opened in September, 1915. In 1919 there were 42 teachers and 304 students. President, B. T. Marshall.  CONNECTICUT RESERVE. See .  CONNELLSVILLE, a borough in Fayette co., Pa.; on the Youghiogheny river, and the Baltimore and Ohio, the Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie, and the Western Maryland railroads, 57 miles E. of Pittsburgh. It is the center of the most extensive coke burning region in the United States. Other important industries are machine shops, pump works, brick works, and coal mining. It is the seat of Cottage State Hospital; and has electric lights, electric railways connecting with South Connellsville and adjacent towns, several newspapers and National banks. Pop. (1910) 12,845; (1920) 13,804.  CONNEMARA (“the Bays of the Ocean”), a boggy and mountainous district occupying the W. portion of County Galway, Ireland; about 30 miles in length and 15 to 20 miles in breadth. Its coasts are very broken, and there are numerous small lakes. It is subdivided into Connemara Proper in the W., Jar-Connaught in the S., and Joyce's Country in the N.  CONNERSVILLE, a city of Indiana, the county-seat of Fayette co. It is on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton, the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis, and the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati and Louisville railroads, and on the White Water river. It has manufactures of motor cars, pianos, carriages, furniture, flour, etc. There is a public library, an excellent high-school building, a park, and a sanitarium. Pop. (1910) 7,738; (1920) 9,901.  CONNING TOWER, the place in modern battleships where the commander stands during a naval engagement, and from which he directs the movements of the ship and men. The conning tower is built over the foreward turret and is a circular chamber, scarcely 6 feet across and protected by walls of steel 12 inches thick. The roof is also of solid steel. Between the arched roof and the walls is a narrow slit from which the eye can sweep the whole horizon. The sharp-pointed bow of the boat is just below, and directly in front are the two big guns that protrude from the turret. Throughout the engagement the commander is invisible to his men, his voice alone being heard through the speaking tubes and telephone with which the turret is fitted. In its center are the steam-steering wheel, binnacle and compass, and by the directing hand of the commander, standing beside the compass, the battle is fought. <section end="Conning Tower" /> <section begin="Connolly, James Brendan" />CONNOLLY, JAMES BRENDAN, an American writer, born in Boston, Mass. He was educated in the public schools and for a time served with the United States Engineer Corps. In 1896 he won the first Olympic championship of modern times. During the Spanish-American War he served with the 9th Massachusetts Infantry. He was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. His novels include “Out of Gloucester” (1902); “The Deep Sea's Toll” (1905); “The Trawler” (1914); “Running Free” (1917), and “The U-Boat Hunters” (1918). <section end="Connolly, James Brendan" /> <section begin="Connor, Ralph" />CONNOR, RALPH (REV. CHARLES W. GORDON), a Canadian author, born at Glengarry, Ont., 1860. He was <section end="Connor, Ralph" />