Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-02
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
The Platform on Which the Democratic
Party os.n Connecticut should stand
SQuarely Next Fall.


Party os.n Connecticut should stand
Squarely Next Fall.
Inasmuch as constitutional reform will
be the issue upon which the democrats of
| Connecticut will base their hopes of sue
cess next fall the following letter, which
| eXplainsi tself is of more than ordinary
interest:
RIDGEFIELD, Conn, March l, 1894.
WILLIAM S. PAkpEE, Esq, New Haven.
Dear Sir: have received your commu-
nication of February 81, addressed to me
as a member of the democratic state COM
mlttee of Connecticut, in which YOU call
my attentian to certain powers possessed
by and certain duties incumbent upon the
committee relative to changing the basis
of representation in the coming state con-
vention and in which you allude to the ex-
listing attitude of the two parties toward
the question of constitutional reform.
Although l have not the pleasure of a
personal acquaintance with you, | desire
to express my satisfaction at this renewed
evidence that the democrats of ConnectI-
CIT are at this early date taking an active
interest in the questions stated in your
letter, and to assure you that all sugges-
tons coming from loyal democratic sources
are appreciated and will receive careful
consideration.
In regard to making a change in the eX-
listing basis of representation for the COM
ing state conventions, | desire to say that
the principles, the traditions, and the re-
cent actions of the party and the state
committee as it's exponent, all point
toward equal representation based upon
the everlasting principle of democracy,
that every vote should have the san.
power as every other vote. The state con-
vention on September Ii, 1890, adopted
the present constitution governing the
committee, whereby it WAS empowered "to
fix the basis of representation" and, in
accordance with which, IN the following
year, the committee decided upon sixty
six additional delegates, to be apportioned
throughout the state upon the basis of
population. This action was, as you say
somewhat tentative, but its hearty and
unanimous approval by the party through
ont the state showed cOncluSlIely that it
was step IN the right direction, and that
it appealed most strongly to that sense of
Justice and fairness, which, in my opinion,
is the controlling influence upon the polit-
cal action of the great mass of honest,
thoughtful voters in either party. The
legislature of 1898, as is we'll known, took
up the battle for constitutional reform
principally in order to correct the in us
tice and unfalrnesS of our present system
of misrepresentation in the legislature,
which SO often results in minority rule and
makes a Jest and hollow mockery of our
much-vaunted popular sovereignty.
In view of these facts, consistency would
seem to require that the state committee
should keep abreast of the times, doing all
in its power to advance this great reform,
and | do not think that it will be found
wanting when the time for action arrives.
I ontbnrjynH II fDr "a
committee whole, but | can say that
in the twelfth senatorial district, which |
have the honor to represent in that com
mittee the democrats of the smaller towns
are not inclined for the sake of local add
vantage to oppose change, but are willing
and anxious to have the system of repre-
sentation re-arranged SO as to do justice to
all. The democrats of my own town of
Rldgetield, which has Il population of
about 1000. and is permitted to send two
representatives to the legislature, do not
consider 1t just that the neighboriug town
of Danbury, with ten times as many in
habitants, should be allowed only two
representatives, and they do not intend to
stultify themselves by pretending to be-
lieve that such a system is fair or demo-
cratic.
| am compelled, however, to dissent
most emphatically from your assumption
that because two prominent republicans
have declared in favor of Il more equal
system of representation the party has
been committed by their action to consti-
tutional reform, and that lit has become
Il question not of shall, but of how this
reform may be best attained. The only
way to judge of the real attitude of a
political party is by examination of the
actions of its legally -constituted represent
tatives and not by the published opinions
of its individual members, or the e.ito-
| rails of a few independent papers The
record of that party rs shown by its action
in conventions and in the legislature
proves conclusively that it has always been
opposed to a constitutional convention
opposed to changing the existing system of
representation so As to remedy its in
equality, opposed to substituting ii plu-
rality for the present method, which has
so often resulted in minority rule. In the
last Legislature a bill submitting the ques-
ton of Il constitutional convention to the
people of the state was introduced by the
democrats, passed in the senate
where they had control. and defeated in
the house, where they were in minority,
il both cases by strict party vote, thus
conclusively showing that the republican
party was opposed to allowing the
people to decide this question for
themselves, and is opposed, rs
party, to real constitutional reform.
1t seems to me, therefore, a grave mistake
for any democrat to believe that at has
become question, not of shall but of
how, for the very question at issue is:
Shall We have constitutional convention?
Any individual republican who honestly
desires this reform and will vote for it is
at variance with his party, and in the COM
Of 1Cf 20
sidered democrat and should be well
coined as such, for this is the only state
issue before the people to-day. 1 trust
the democrats of Connecticut will keep
this fact in mind and refuse to be diverted
to the consideration of minor issues, for, if
| we can secure the submission of this ques-
ton to the people and have a new consti-
tuition based upon equal representation
all other needed reforms can be more
easily secured.
On this issue our record is clear, con-
| sistent, and determined in favor of a full
measure of constitutional reform, while
the record of the republican party is
| equally divided againt it. Do not be de-
ceived by their claim that they, too, are in
| favor of it, but differ as to the proper
methods of its accomplishment, for it is
evident that the methods suggested by
them would only result in delay and ulti-
mate defeat of any real reform. They re-
mind me of the dog law which Vermont
| legislator wanted his lawyer to draft
"What kind of dog law do you wish to
have ?" said the lawyer. The lawmaker re-
piled: Il want good, broad, safe repub-
| hcan dog law that will please my constitu-
| ents and won't interfere with the rights of
the dogs" Just so the republican poll
ticians wish to have a good, broad, safe
amendment to the constitution that will
please and delude the members of their
own party who wish to see fair play, but
| will not interfere with the right of the