The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-04-15
dF. 'fHRaSHER EXPLAINS.
DEFINES HIS POLITICAL AFTI-
 TUDE AND HEARING.

Why He Left the Citizens League-Ex-
 ceeded Its Authority-CIaims NIT.
 Pardee Was Put Up to he Sacrificed.
 A non-partisan municipal league ral- ly was held last evening at Pohlman's hall, Dixwell avenue, >at which the speakers were Alexander Troup, Sam uel F. Thrasher, W. H. Boyle of the Fourth ward and W. F. Alcorn. There was cutie a large attendance. Mir. Thrasher made a statement as to his position in the pending campaign. He joined the citizens league, he said, un- der the impression that it offered 8 chance to ''wrest the city from the hands of political bosses" In this he was encouraged when the police inves- tigation revealed the real situation and when the mayor insultingly refused to consider the recommendations of the majority report of the special commit tee appointed by him. Then was the leagues opportunity to exert it's in- fluence in giving the public "a chance to register an honest protest against ring rule, lawlessness and partisan domination of the city government" |" ''The league failed to seize the apportu- nifty and then felt it my duty to join the non-Dartisan league for the pur- pose of putting a third ticket in the field upon a platform which means something"
 Mir. Thrasher then criticized the league for throwing it's support to the democratic ticket instead of leaving its members free to choose between the candidates on the three tickets. In this action. MT. Thrashar added, the league exceeded it's authority. ''The rock upon which we split is that of partisanship in municipal affairs. Will liam S. Pardee, whom the board of con trol endorsed, is a. partisan politician, He Is committed to the democratic party its ticket and partisan policy in municipal affairs. He has stated that he coincides with the leaders who believe that this municipal election furnishes an opportunity for the demo- cratica party to rehabilitate itself in this state. He was present at the dem ocratie conference last Tuesday night and made an address which was right in line, if reported to me correctly. with that of ex-Congressmail Pigott, who stated that 1t was important that New Haven be carried for the democratic party as a first step toward regaining democratic control in Connecticut.
 To my mind, no man who believes in honest government for the city can support a party which is seeking to control the city for partisan purposes.
 For many years I have been S firm believer ill non partisanship in launiei- pal government and as have already stated publicly, nobody has even been able to convince me that the issues upon which national and state parties divide have any place in city affairs
 The non-rartisan municipal league which is in the field in this campaign with a full ticket, is furnishing to the citizens of New Haven an opportunity to register a vigorous protest against partisan politics and it's attendant evils. ineffieiency and corruption. After a careful consideration of the whole matter I am persuaded that the game of politics in this city is being played by political sharpers who hold more cards than belong in the pack That it was never intended that William S. Pardee should be elected, That he was put up to be sacrificed. whether he knew it or not makes no difference.
 Mir. Thrasher further at some length elueidated his views.