New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
CONNECTICUT POLITICS.

CONNECTICUT FOLlIICO
In addition to the excellent nominations for
State officers by both parties in Connecticut
there seems probability now that In at least
three of the four Congressional districts the
candidates will be rather above than below
the average of politicians in character and
qualifications. 1t is hardly to be expected
that the canvass for the next four or five
weeks will be entirely free from offensive per-
sonaltles, low black kguardism, appeals to preju-
dice and passion, and the inevitable dema-
gogism which, in greater or less degree, ac-
companies all political contests. And yet it
does seem possble-at any rate it ought to be
possible-sO make the campaign fair fight in
an open field, upon issues distinctly de-
fined, for the election of men who
fairly represent conflicting opinions. The
Republican State Convention, with much less
of reservation and ambiguousness than is
usual in platforms, adopted the plans and ap-
proved the policy of the President with regard
to the treatment by the Federal Government
of the reconstructed States. 1t fairly threw
the gauntlet down upon that question, and
the Opposition as fairly picked it up and
Joined issue upon it before the people, Be
leving as we do that the continuance of the
Administration policy Of armed interference
and armed control in the affairs of the States
is fraught with peril to our institutions and
our form of government, we should be sorry
to sec it encouraged by the vote of Connccti-
cut in its favor. But we recognize the right
of any person or party to hold different views
and to urge them and at a time when it is
so much the fashion to make a juggle of
-. Of MIA yva
cannot be too thankful 10 party that has
the courage of its convictions and pluckily
maintains them.
This issue in national politics is presented
most distinctly in the State tickets of the
respective parties, both candidates for Gov
ernor being gentlemen of high character, and
so free from the faint of active political life that
they may be said to start very evenly, so far as
personal character Is concerned. They repre-
sent the conflicting views of parties upon the
question of the relation between Federal and
State Governments; and this we believe is
the simplest statement of it,. Notwithstanding
the fact that the members of Congress to be
elected have to do directly with national poll
tics, while the State Executive has in his
official duties no immediate relations with
considerations will enter more largely into
the election of Congressman, while the dis
tinct issue Of approval or diSapproval of the
National Administration will be met in the vote
for Governor OF the three Republican Repre-
sentatives in the present Congress, two, Messrs.
Hawley and Starkweather, have already been
renomiDated, and the other Mr.. Kellogg of
the New-Haven District, undoubtedly will be.
Of the three, Gen. Hawley, though be has
served the shortest time, is best known to
the country With many excellences of char
acter among which are his admitted earnest
ness and sincerity, and his personal integrity,
he has defects which have impaired his use
fulness as legislator, and somewhat dis
turbed his popularity at home. The country
owes him thanks for his manly stand against
the Force bill in caucus, but he has too often
Welded his convictions of duty to considera-
tOns of partisanship in other matters or con-
tented himself with feeble protest against
the tendencies of the Administration. His Op-
ponent has not yet been nominated, but the
Opposition feel confident that Hawleys per-
sonal popularity is 80 overweghted by his
support of the Administration that with re-
spectable candidate they can defeat him.
Messrs. Kellogg and Starkweather are poll
ticians of more materialistic school than
Hawley Both represent constituencies largely
interested in manufacturing and keenly alive
to whatever affects the pursuits to which they
are devoted. If they have failed to dstin-
grish themselves in the discussion Of the
principles and science of government and
the weighty matters of legislation, they have
done what to the minds OF great number,
and perhaps the most influential, of their con-
stituents is of greater immediate Importance.
in Cooking out for the interests of the dis
"trict' This they have done by distributing
patronage judiciously. procuring appropria-
tons for public buildings and Government
works, by careful attention to home cor
respondence, unfailiDg civility and cour-
tesy to their constituents, and a will
lingness to serve them in any of the thou
sand ways in which a member of Congress
can confer an obligation upon the private
citizen. For these reasons both are popular.
Against Kellogg the Democrats have nom-
mated Judge Phelps Of the Supreme Court,
War Democrat who was elected to the Bench
by o Republican Legislature during the war.