Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-23

which the delegate loves so much can boast Of as good brush farms in the little towns that have de cayed, and still contend for two representatives as can Berkshire coun- ty under the district system. The tlocls and herds have also disappeared to q great extent in her hills, and ii the present system of representation was the cause of it let the delegate join Us in wiping it out at once
 The magnificent water power of our state, the unique inventive genius of our people, and our ability to lead the world in the variety of manufactured products have made agricultural pur- suits subservient to mechanical. More over the great railroads transporting the agricultural products and live stock of the west to us have settled the matter New England cannot to- day feed her own people with native farm products. The west must send her enough, to eat to avert famine. And yet the mechanical pursuits which keep Connecticut foremost in Ameri- can life are denied anything like equality ill the making of the laws.
 The time will come i'll the not far distant future for Connecticut to adopt this system, if she does not accept ii now It is sound politically, and if it is ideal, it is an ideal which has been pretty generally realized 1t recognizes the great doctrine of equality to which our nation is committed which our own state has always admitted, and in the end must surely prevail.
 Doubtless many will say that the time is not opportune for the district system. There are those among us who admit it's logic, who yet will not support it. They argue they are not here for logic, but to devise the best constitution to be had under the cir. cumstances. For myself if expediency compels me to adopt compromise shall accept the plan Of the delegate from New Haven. which, while it gives at least enc representative to each town, does not admit the theory of sovereignty. but recognizes the right of the people by giving each town ad- ditional representation with regard to population. If l cannot see my colors fly at the topmost point. vet I shall not need to haul them down entirely. Further than this vcannot do. Pat riotism and loyalty to my state de- mand that I stand for her without re- gard to selfish local interests. To go further would be to support q heresy which I abhor.
 The trust which the people have re posed in us demands that we act ac- cording to our convictions. If mine as have expressed them give offense to any here l am sorry. Personal req sons. however. should not influence Us. You wno believe different from me I accord full credit of possessing that loyalty and patriotism by which have declared myself to be animated. One thing would I say further, and that is intelligence demands of Us that we act not as representatives of the towns only, but also as representatives of the state. for, although We have been elected by the towns to this conven- 1 tion. our work goes back for ratifica- ton not to the towns as towns. but to the people as people. If our work shall receive the seal of their approval it will be a source of great pride to me as having assisted in forming the fun damental laws which will hereafter control this state, but l would willing ly and gladly sacrifice that gratifica. ton and prefer to see our work reject ed, if ii affirmed wrong principles and perpetuated any doctrine contrary tc that which asserts that all political power is adherent in the people, and that all free governments are founded upon their authority and instituted for their benefit.