Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-27
THAT FAMOUS CIRCULAR.
ANONYMOUS WRITER TO KILL CONSTITUTIONAL CON
 MENTION.

The negative side of the constitution al convention debate is presented in the following circular which is being distributed anonymously, but which, it is said. has been traced to the Hartford office of an ex-governor of the state, aays the New Haven Union.
 Thousands of copies of the circuular have been spread broadcast in the country towns, and they will receive vigorous support in their fight for ex- istence. An overwhelming negative vote will be cast in the rural districts. The circular follows:
 THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
 OF THE TOWNS OF CONNECTI-
 CUT ARE IN DANGER.
 ''To every patriotic citizen of the towns of this commonwealth who has enjoyed, or is now enjoying, the rights. privileges, and benefits granted him under the wise and just constitution adopted by the fathers. and upon the preservation of which depends his own welfare. as we'll as the prosperity of his descendants, to any and all such comes the greeting of tens of thousands of his fellow citizens of the towns of Con- necticut. to join in doing all in their power to sustain our sacred rights by dropping party lines. local issues, and everything that would interfere with our standing sOlidly together with a determination not to surrender a single right. and go to the polls on Monday. October Eth, and vote NO, against the holding of constitutional convention. the sole object of which seems to be to take from the towns of the state rights which are the towns by sacred guarantee. and which will bring 154 towns under the complete control of 14 towns or cities.
 Among the benefits or privileges which are threatened by a convention are:
 THE RIGHT OF TOWN REPRE- SANITATION IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE GENERAL AS SEAIBLY.
 THE RIGHT OF EACH TOWN TO MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS.
 THE RIGHT OF EACH TOWN TO ELECT ITS OWN OFFICERS.
 THE RIGHT OF EACH TOWN TO LAY ITS OWN TAXES.
 whereby comes the value of property and local prosperity to agricultural communities.
 ''The Constitution of our state. adopted i'm ISIS, gives to every town, large or small. two representatives in the lower house of the general assem- bly, Later. towns which were set off from original towns accepted of one representative for reasons satisfactory to them. Our national legislature has the same principle of the representa- ton of states in the United States sen- ate. and the state of Nevada with a population of 42.O00 has two senators. as we'll as the state of New York with it's eight millions of population; while in the other house of Congress representation is based upon pOpula- ton. What would Connecticut amount to in the United States senate if the nation should say representation by population? Where would have been the manufacturing interests of New England for the past 90 years had it not been for her United States sena- tors? And yet the refOrmers are striv- ing through a constitutional conven- ton to take from .154 towns their rights in the lower house of the gener- all assembly and give it to 14 ci-ies d population of the state, and therefore can protect themselves. while the 154 towns would have their all taken from them. and be left unprotected. These 14 cities can now elect the presiden- tiaf electors congressman. governor and other state officers. and all officers elected by the popular vote, except members of the lower house of the general assembly.
 When the present proposed amend ment to the constitution for the in- crease of the state senate. and redis- tricting of the same according to pop- ulat1on, is adopted by the people. New Haven city will have five senators. while the country district will have to be more than doubled in territory to have one, and the fourteen cities will then have permanent majority in the state senate: and still the small reform element in these 14 cities is demand ing a constitutional convention. that they may also obtain permanent ma jority in the house Will there be a citizen of the towns that will not spend the time on Monday, October 1th, to go to the polls and resent this demand2 Has there been any dissat- 1sAdctlon- or even Injustice. shown by the people against the present method of representation? May we not there fore expect If We do our duty fulIyl that the business men and the Iaboring men of our cities. who are not polite ians. or office seekers. will vote with usE Come out as one man and vote down the proposed convention. thereby wronging no one, but protecting all Why leave it to politicians in the city, who, leading masses of voters. can con trol affairs of state and legislation |? The Fyler amendment was the sure step for accomplishing representation in both houses of our general assembly by population. It was defeated by more than ? to 1. Why was this vote in the general assembly by population? ? It was defeated by more than to l. Why was this vote in the general as- sembly to bring this conention before the people passed? Ask your repre- sentatives. if any questionable means were used to secure it's adoption, and fn Hofoo< -onor,cSIoro&so~,4