The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-11-01

not to be the places where our local af- fairs are managed; and there is rap idly increasing independent vote in this town, which refuses to recognize the en- forced servtude of local interests to na- tional politics. But just now, under this act ol~the legislature, we are confront
 ed With condition, not with a theory.
 Whatever our theory, the only way 70
 meet the existing condition is at the
 party caucus or primary. Therefore
 now in the supreme interest of good
 government to the caucus all good citi-
 zens ought to go. Otherwise we accom-
 plish nothing by going to the polls, I
 think that this Good Government club
 will be ready to accept the issue, where
 only this year the battle can be fought,
 within the party ' counsels; possibly
 members of this club may be able by
 previous conference so to combine their
 individual candle-lights that when they
 get to the caucus they may not act al-
 together in the dark. Notice might also
 be served that shSuld either party put
 up disgraceful nominations for com
 missioners, the whole ticket may be
 swamped on account of the rotten tim
 Der in it.
 Inasmuch as the election of strong,
 independent men on all our commits
 sions is in my judgment the paramount
 issue this fall of local good govern
 ment, let me mention specifically three classes of men who ought not to be nominated or tolerated on any of these boards: First, men who either politi- cally or pecuniarily may be benefited by the unchecked prosperity of any criminal class. Secondly, men whose only title to a position on municipal board is a previous contribution to a party campaign fund. Thirdly, men who in reputation, business, or ability are below the average of the street. In mentioning these classes, as Dr.
 Hawes of Hartford once remarked, q refer to those whom I allude." The exclusion of the politically dependent classes from the public crib would be a considerable gain in local reform. The Good Government club, however, looks beyond even this measure of suc- | cess and expects to live long enough and to work persistently enough, to see business men who have been sue cessful in their own affairs, and who have nothing personally to gain through local pulls or deals, willing to devote some of their time to the service of the city, and charged by the people with these local trusts which are of concern to us all as neighbors and citizens.
 Other matters incident to the work of this club will be brought before you from time to time on report of your committees; I understand, for instance, | that the committee on enforcement of law are inquiring concerning the opera l tion of the new law against policy play l ing, which was one of the virtuous works of the last legislature, although opposed by some official influence from New Haven
 I wish to emphasize at the present | time the single issues upon which | have been commenting. Here is work enough with which to make a begin | ming.
 The general and hearty response which the effort to organize this club | has met with from all quarters, leads I me to cherish the hope that eventually and through persistent wisdom, it may accomplish practical results in behalf of | good politics, good improvements, good
 roads, good laws, good morals, and all other municipal goods.