New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-18
POLITICS IN CONNECTICUT.

Politics N Connecticut
An overwhelming political victory is not al
ways an unmixed blessing to the party that
achieves IT, The history Of parties in This coun-
try is full Of illustrations Of This truth. For
very striking instance OF II in the history OF the
Democratic party we need 90 no further back
than the election Of 1892. and note what followed
that victory in this State and in the Nation
party is in much greater danger when II mas
everything Its own way than when having Il
bare majority; ii is 50 closely watched that IL
cannot afford to he careless or Negligent pu'
must take diliccnt heed Of every step III order
10 avoid the mistakes Of ovcrconndcnce
The Republicans OF Connecticut carried that
State at the last election by majority larger
than either party had received for s'ncra'ioh'
clcctlng all their congressman. all but ono OF
the State Senators and more than fo'lr-hiths OF
the House The Legislature began lis session
on the lst Of January and only adjourned last
week: the longest session. we believe. on record
II seems unnecessarily long; but II Is 10 be taken
into account that the Legislature meets but once
i'm two wears and there Is such intellectual activ-
ity in the State that six solid months OF lcgs-
lo,iv. session are not too much--if enough. In
1ccd-to give II proper vent The press Of the
State is still engaged in the discussion OF the
merits and dement's Of the body when mas just
adjourned. From the comments or newspapers
Of both parties. We judge the consensus III oP'"-
ion 10 be that while II made many mistakes
among which, perhaps. were stunning p"Nc!
ON the question Of amending the Constitution,
and a futile and foolish investigation ~ charges
OF corruption that would better have been passed
unnoticcd-upon the whole, II was As good as Inc
average and might have been worse. II j. not
unworthy Of note. however. that the reckless
prodicalty with which gratrtics were thrown
10 everybody who had been in attendance dur
ing the session down 10 the bootblacks IN INC
Capitol has been rather sparingly ccnsurcd. The
explanation Of this will he found by the unchari-
table IN the circumstance that the represent
ativcs Of the press OF both parties were among
those who were handsomely remembered nj me
States expense.
II seems TO be agreed on all hands that Speak
or Samuel Fesscndcn discharged the functions
If presiding officer with unusual ability ana 10
the entire satisfaction Of all parties. so much
so that the closing hours of the session were
made vocal with his praises; political friends ana
onponcuts wing with each other In their com
mcndation Of his imparialiiy, his scniaDty ana
his other excellent qualities. He * 10 be con
graduated upon his success In The discharge 81
the duties Of so trying position. II Is not I'M
posslblc. however. that his qualification may bc
somewhat allowed by the suggestion which has
anucarcd in some quarters that he l. nouriSh'
Ing an ambition for a much higher position, Tor
which his present popularity Will be- u"ed n 4
stcpping-stonc Doubtless he would Ike 10 he
United States Senator Tha, is an ambition OF
which no man need be ashamed. But II can
hardly be true that Mr.. Fesscnlen would s"ri-
ously set himself up. or permit his friends 10
set him up. as candidate for the Once now 80
worthily and uscfuly filled by Orvillc H. fa't
so long as that gentleman consents TO serve MS
State in that place. Senator Ilaft Il one of Inc
most modest and unaggrcsslvc Of men. but we
only rcpcat what all his colleagues in the Senate
will confirm. and what the great majority Of
Connecticut Republicans know 10 be the fact
when we say that Connecticut has never been
more faithfully and ably represented in that body
than during his term of service. No Senator has
greater influence a wise and prudent coun-
sellor. nor is there one in whose stcadfast in
fcgrlty and uprghtncss greater confidence Is re-
posed by all parties. Mr.. Fessendcn Is too wise
a polircian TO permit his own honorable amb
ton to put him In position OF rivalry with
Senator Plat
The Republicans Of Connecticut have upon
the whole, come through the pcrlls OF great
victory without having suffered the serious dam
age to which IT exposed them. But they have
to remember that they are not by any means
strong enough TO indulge with safety In internal
dlsscnsions or fac,ional disputes.