Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-14

torial and individual newspaper utter anceS in advocacy of proposed consti- tuition. The writers, as though follow ing out a concerted plan, declare thSs while this proposed constitution is un- fair and far less than what the long suffering people have right to expect, nevertheless urge its acceptance as q step in the right direction, something a little better than the old. Then for eff feet l suppose, these men talk about patriotism and misuse sacred senti- ment to bolster up the iniquity of which they have with strange suddenness be- come champions. What is the reason of this sudden change of front? These papers are generally republican, al though, to their credit be it said many stanch republican organs have refused to eat their former words. The pres. ent generation remembers how the in- dependent voters of Connecticut 1n- dignant at the perfdy of politicians, elected Governor Morris in 1893. They also remember that after an agitation of many years by the democratic party the republican party about that time was forced to come out for constitu- tional reform. Do you remember what the republican party did, however, when the recent hard times came? When national issues overcast state is sues, the republican party deserted constitutional reform, proposed amend ments to the constitution were aban- doned and the people were betrayed. Past experience teaches us, and in it's light we can clearly read the motive of the republican press. There was hon or i'll the best republican men and pa- perS at that time, however, just as there is in such men as Governor Me Lean to-day. It is q matter of history how they pleaded with their party to stand by their promises, but for the sake of the small town oligarchy or aristocracy their pleadings were cyn- ically dismissed.
 The writers to whom 1 above refer are industriously throwing dust in the eyes of the people. It is the ancient battle of brains attempting to main tain the weak and wrong ill the places where a strong and free people should be, and the people are to blame for opening their eyes to take in the dust.
 The proposed constitution is not q step in the right direction. It is called so because it gives the four larger cities a mite and allows them to gain one representative for each increase of 50,000 of population. Waterbury gets an extra representative. It looks like progress until one has peered under the surface. When it is seen that small towns as they arrive at 2,000 popula- tion, and all those of 2,000 at present, can gain one more representative, while the old constitution made them grow to 5000 before being entitled to two representatives. it doesn't look so much like progress. There are many small towns near 2,O00 that will soon obtain two representatives. In this lies the great menace to the large cen ters of population. The country towns will constantly add to their power in the legislature anu the cities propor-. tionately grow weaker. Even as it is at present six-sevenths of the people lose little of the power which they had under the old conditions. If this is a step forward it is also a hundred yard dash backward.
 Another reason given why the pro- posed constitution is a step in the right direction is that amendments may be had more easily. This is plaus ible. But remember history. For over fifty years small-town house of repre- sentatiyes has stood against reform in representation. Majorities could not be obtained Other amendments may be easier, but the needed amend ments will be no easier. In the consti- tutional convention after laboring four and a half months we could not ob- tain a majority of one hundred and sixty-eight. In the light of this does anyone suppose we can obtain q ma jority of a small-town house of two hundred and fifty-four. as it is pro- posed. for reform? And will it be cas- fer when little towns, as they reach two thousand population. keep sending extra representatives? More dust has been cast in the peoples eyes by this argument than by any other. Because of this these aforesaid writers urge the acceptance and then agitation for amendments. The trick isn't such clever one after all to unmask. The people would see the amendment come after a half century, perhaps, and then only a small one.
 Coming down to Waterbury we hear it said that we will be better off with one extra representative and two sen ators. It is true the small town dele gates to the convention threw sop to New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport and Waterbury. trusting that these four cities could be bribed to betray the other cities and large towns for whom no provision was made. The dele gates from these cities except Hart ford. spurned such a proffer. But is Waterbury better off? We do get two senators, it is true, in a senate of forty-five members from the proposed constitution. Recollect however, that last fall an amendment was passed to the old constitution which would allow Waterbury to have, also. two senators i'll a senate of thirty-six. So we can have our two senators if this constitution is beaten. and we will have more influence with two in thirty-six than two in forty-five. One extra representative will not give us greater power in small-town house. which can grow as I have described If about one hundred small town repre- sentatives were cut off then one extra would be a great gain to us. as it is. 1t amounts to nothing but a miserable bribe to make us betray ourselves and the other cities who stood by us.
 The last article in the proposed con- stitution is viewed by the patriotic and wise men with apprehension 1t vir-sI tually destroys the sovereign power of the people, and the great principle of the rule of majorities. It provides that no constitutional convention shall be called unless majority of the reg cfo csIao