The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-08-21
Local SER Government.

MFR. Eaton, senator elect, defined
.tnte ripllts and local self government,
before the Connecticut legislature tne
other day, in speech opposing the
Granting of u certain charter 10 tne
Town of Now ich. Asthe speech itself
Is SIGNIFICANT, and also the first utter
dnce of MIR. Eaton since his election to
The senate, we make the following eX-
tratcts:
~ gave a silent vote the other day
ognInst the subm ission of this charter
t6 The peope Of Norwich, and that vote
has been criticised by the press. 80
far as the criticism Of one paper Is con-
cerned--I allude to the New Haven
Union, which has treated me very
kindly and wants to know why gave
thnh Vote--it seems to be demanded
thnt | should give some reason for That
vote; and while my friend from ones
ter Mr.. Griswold) has stated that IN
nnotherarcna may say certain thlngs,
IL Is proper that should say that TINS
amendment of the charter, without
The amendment proposed ought 10
pass. rll give my reasons prleliy' l
am in favor always, and always nave
been in favor, and always snail oei OF
state rights, local self government ana
home rule. Home rule lies at the base.
Local self government, or state rights,
which are one and the same thing,
grow out of that home rule, ana OF
absolute necessity under our complex
system of government. The states OF
the federal union were absolutely ana
entirely sovereign until the formation
of the constitutions of the United
States. The state of Connecticut gwas
one of the powers of the earth--e smai'
state, but one of the powers. AlteF
the formation of the colslltu
ton of the United states, which
was ratified 10y nine states, mere
was federal union, but there
were two little states that did not JON
that union-Rhode Island and North
Carolina. These two little common
wealths carried their own flags all over
the seas of the world. They were SOW
ereign states. In time they saw the
wisdom of Joining the conlcderacy, ana
we became federal union, and all the
powers not delegated by the states 10
the general government reslued III tiie
statesand in the people OF the states,
and there they are now. don't pro-
pose to go into any argument now WIN
regard to those delegated rights OF the
states. | pass. 1t was necessary, now
ever, to arrive at q proper conclusion
that | should state this muchi ana
hereafter wherever the voice OF my
neonle shall place me shall stand as
i'm movable as the earth itself on that
great principle of state rights. NOW,
then, put another question. Home
rule, or the authority of the towns ul-
der the government of Connecticut,
before the adoption of the state con-
stitution, was very strong. we were
an agricultural people. In the course
of time we increased in manufacturing
interests, and there was u concentra'
tion of inhabitants in Hartford, New
Haven and other places, and 10 became
necessary that the people of the towns
should come to the lawmaking power
and ask for privileges. The moment
that a community comes i'll ana ASKS
for certain privilege, that very mo
ment they may expect the law-maklhs
power to impose certain duties. Ihi'
Is right and proper. Why, sir-righ'
here sir-let me say it is democracy
Let me tell my friend from New Havel
(Mr. Robinson) that, as understan.
If, this is democracy pure aud unad9l
terated. The charter we give to TN
CITY is like the constitution we give u
the state; we give it to protect tht
minority, not the majority of the PEG
pie; the majority can take care o
themselves. On that our whole system
Of government is founded, We don
want a constitution. The distinguishes
gentleman who presides over the GOV
ernment, that has has party at ms Oaei
or under his feet, don't require M.
constitution the majority can tax
care of themselves. The minority, o
the people of Norwich, after suilefl y
from the oppression Of a ring, reqn'r
protection, and they shall have us
far as my vote is concerned.