Litchfield enquirer., 1873-02-06
THE CONVENTION.


 4 Tribune reporter has been interview ing prominent Hartford men regarding the proposed Constitutional Convention. The replies of Mr. Robinson, Republican Mayor of the city, are so interesting as in full:
 MT. Robinson said his first reason for wanting a Constitutional Convention was the injustice of the present system of rep- resentation in the Legislature. It is true, he said, that the cities have greater in- fuence upon Legislation than the number of their representatives would warrant; but 1t is effected by great outlay of time, personal influence, and, in too many cases, by money. think the present un- equal system of representation does more to feed the iniquities of the lobby than any other single cause. The present sys- tenn is entirely undemocratic, un-Ameri- can, and has outlived it's propriety.
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 Our whole judiciary system needs radi- cal revision. First, the judges of our Su- perior Court, which are our mist 10rius tri- bunaIs, adjudging almost everything in- volving $500 or more, are chosen by the Legislature. While the present bench of Connecticut is decidedly able one, and we have at least five judges who would adorn the Supreme Court at Washington, vet 1t has not always been the case. Ques- tions of locality, of party service, and oth- CT elements not absolutely needed to make good judge, have too often controlled the selections of legislative caucuses. The judges of all the inferior courts must, by the present Constitution, be chosen an- nually by the legislature, which is, oi course, a ridiculous term of office. A com potent lawyer can hardly give up re- l spectable practice to assume the office | for so short term as one year. Our 1 Judges of Probate are also chosen annual ly, which is much too often. The judges should be appointed by the Executive and confirmed by the Senate. The re- sponsibility of the nomination should be thrown upon an individual and not upon an impersonal caucus. We have had nc Governor perhaps in the history of ths 1 State, who would have made an unworthy nomination for a judgeship. An unwor- thy nomination by Governor would in sure for him such an undying reputation for infamy that regard for his own good name would prevent him from making il if he were not solicitous about the inter ests of the State. The Governor should also have exclusive power for the pardon of criminals, and be held personally re sponsible Many legislative acts Ill this regard for the last twenty years would bt ludicrous enough as farce, if their etfec did not point too closely to tragedy.
 The Legislature meets too often, and II too many places.
 The Governor Is chosen too often, anC we have altogether too many elections. I is too serious drain npon the industrie. of a community to have two, three, ane sometimes four elections in year; anG election days do not usually coniuce t, good morals. :,
 At this point inquired with regard te the partisan considerations involved, anC MT. Robinson replied: s'The growth O the Republican party in the populous cit ies will probably tend somewhat material ly to the success of the present movement for Convention. The large Democrat, maiorities in Hartford and New-Hayen il former years have been strong arguments to the Republicans, in a partisan view against a Convention. The parties II Hartford are now about equal, and il New-Hayen the Democratic majority i avery uncertain one. Bridgeport, Middle town are close; Norwich, New-London New-B Britain, Norwalk, and Meriden art Republican; and Waterbury is moderate 1y close I think the effect upon partie is a mere guess; one side would be hkel, to get just as much advantage as the oth CT. And besides, parties are changing In 2 year or two, probably, there will b, new issues. which will make present DO litical considerations altogether out of th question.
 Hon. R. D. Hubbard agreed with Mr