Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-06
HOW DID IT HApPEN1
Bill Passea by General Assembly on
 Fire Department . hystsry.

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 The bill passed by the general as sembly relative to the fire department of this city is regarded as the sharpest political trick ever performed in the state. It was kept well under cover until the job was completed, and even then it is a question if the public would have known anything about it until next August if the Democrat had not dragged it into daylight the day the official document was received here. The funny thing about it is that mo- body knows how 1t happened. The whole thing is mystery to City At torney Kellogg, Chief Snagg wears a far away look which would lead one to believe that he hasn't heard of 1t yet. and Commissioner Beach can't ac- count for it. It would be useless to ask General Van Kueren, George A. Driggs, John H. Moran or NJ. J. Daly about it, for everybody knows such a thing never would have occurred had they been aware of 1t. Senator Chat field, chairman of the committee that AuhuAOu tAC huuttCis tuC Chuh6C was made at the request of Waterbury parties, but that is all he cares to say on the question. But there is nothing very wonderful about it. The wonder is that 1t didn't turn out to be worse. There are other things coming and when people realize the full signifi- canoe of them they won't mind such a small matter as the dropping of a line from the fire bill. To be sure. in the opinion of some very good republicans, this sort of warfare is not creditable, but when viewed by men who feel that they can do no wrong 1t looms up in quite a different light and is nothing more than one of their inspired ideas, a divine prerogative that belongs to them alone and which nobody has a right to qtestion. One of the things that gave the late Senator Platt his hold on the people was his unques- tiOned integrity. It has been said of him that his word was as good as his bond, so that while some might not like what he did nobody ever chal- lenged his veracity. This is nice thing to say of a man after he is dead, but whether 1t helps politician while he is fin the flesh is something people interpret to suit their own notion. A large share of humanity likes to be fooled, and knowing this, far-seeing mortals often wink at approved moral and take chances with their reputation for honest dealing with their fellow men whenever a little ad- Is to be gained by pursuing such a course. They simply adopt the theory that n successful man with no word and an elastic conscience Is far better of in a worldly sense at leasr than his neighbor who fails because he failed to employ questionable methods to attain success.
 Tt looks like deception" said one of the chosen few this morning, "but 1 don't think 1t was intended that way. If the bill as passed had been submit ted to the aldermen there would have been wrangle over 1t. and 1t was bet ter to get the approval of the boar,i first and then change the bill to suit those who believed that the best inter- ests of the department demanded the retirement of certain men,"
 There 1t is, the end justifies the means. But while many will say so others will take the higher ground. and lime will prove that such tactics don't | pay. not even in politics. Where pub- ic business is transacted behind closed | ioors, the public may rest assured that | here Is something wrong. and Water bury people are beginning to appre- .iate this fact mere and more every lay.