Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-26
JUDGE MORRIS ACCEPTS.
He Discusses State Issues in 8 Letter tC the Democrats of Connecticut.

the Democrats of Connecticut. NEW HAVEN, Sept 26.-Luzon B. Mor- ris' letter of acceptance, with the letter of the committee notifying him of his nomination for governor by the demo- cratic state convention was made public to-day and IS as follows:
 Hon Luzon B. Morris
 Dear Sir-We have been instructed by tlie democracy of the state of Connecticut, in convention assembled, to formally no tify you of your renomination for gover- nor of this commonwealth.
 The significance of your renomination is enhanced by the failure of both the state constitution and the courts of law to complete the election process, after the electors of the state had exhausted their resources, and had declared by an over whelming plurality their preference for you and your associates as their state otn- cials for the two years then ensuing.
 The temper of the Connecticut democ- racy, in a situation of this seriousness, is manifested in their loyalty to the prin- ciple of constitutional reform which you represent, and which under your tried leadership they confidently predict will be approved at the polls in November.
 They have championed the state issues involved with 8 confidence born of the justice of their cause, and with the neces- sary encouragement of the right of the people of Connecticut to govern them selves. The lesson of the past two years has not been forgotten, nor is the duty of the Connecticut democracy, growing out of it, obscured by the cunning of legal quibbling, and vexatious delay.
 In behalf of the democracy of the state of Connecticut, we tender you formally the unanimous nomination of the demo- cratic party for governor, and ask your acceptance of the honor.
 A. E. BURR,
 D. M. READ,
 N. G. OSBORN.
 New Haven, Sept 21, 1899.
 Messrs. A. E. Burr, D. M. Read, N. G.
 Osborn:
 Gentlemen-You inform me of the action of the convention, nominating me again for the office of governor. In considera- tion of the fact that the convention was unanimous in making the nomination, l cannot do otherwise than accept, what ever my own wishes might be.
 Since the election of two years ago, the events that have occurred have demon strated the great necessity for a reform of the constitution of this state.
 1 EIt has been shown that in the election of state officers the people have very little voice or control under the present consti- tuition.
 Our highest court has held that dec laration by both branches of the general assembly is a necess ary part of the cleo tion process; consequently, if either branch of the general assembly neglects or refuses to make a declaration of the election, there is no election, and the old officials kold over.
 It makes no difference by what majority the new state officers may be elected by bo ha 1 000 0,000; if either branch of the general assembly fails to make such declaration the eletion process is not complete and the newly elected officers cannot qualify or take the office to which the people elected them. If the question is raised whether there is not some remedy through the coU- s, the answer comes, after two years @ fence, that a remedy that cannot be led until after the term of office has 8. tired, is totally inadequate. The elec- tion laws of the state have become 8 a sub ject of ridicule and derision throughout the United States, and it is impossible to ! make people of other states see the justice of laws that will not declare those off cers elected who may have received 8 plurality of more than 5000 of the votes | cast, but will declare elected those who lack more than that number of plural ity. In order that the laws of the state should have their full force and effect l they should be respected as well as obey ed; but laws that are unjust cannot be re- spected. They may be obeyed because l they are the law, but the whole moral effect of the law is lost when the people | fee that in the practical operation it habit | ually works injustice. In 40 of the A | states in the union, plurality elects state officers. In every state admitted into the | union during the present century plural | ity elects. In this state plurality vote elects presidential electors, members of congress, state senators and representa- tives, sheriffs and judges of probate. No good reason can bs shown why state off cers should not be elected by a plurality vote. In no other way can the votes of the people be given their full effect. The present law relative to appointing coun- | ty commissioners by the general assembly Is another instance where the people are | deprived of their power of electing their own agents, and the appointing power is usurped by a few managing politicians, who use the same for their pa artisan pur- poses. The duties of county commission CTS in their respective counties in many re- spects are similar to the duties of select men in their respective towns. Who would advocate the appointment of select men by the general assembly? There would be as much reason in that as in the appointment ot county commissioners by that body. For the good of the state, the people in their respective counties should have the power Of electing their commits sioners, and the power of appointment as it now exists should be taken from the general assembly.
 The agricultural interests of the state, considered with reference to the number of people who obtain living thereby, and the capital invested therein, are of the first importance. That these industries have not been prosperous of late years is fully proved by the depression in farm values, and the neglected appearance oi many farms. In other pursuits, and es- Epecially those of corporate nature, the Legislature has manifested an interest by passing laws favorable to their develop ment, and has appointed commissioners to study their interests in connection with the public welfare. We have railroad commissioners, bank commissioners, in, | surance commissioners, land other com missioners to look after these corporate | interests. Why should we not have ar