New-York tribune., 1906-12-26
HELPING THE GOVERNOR
GratmtOus Nominations Nay EN-
barraSS Erecutire.

New Haven. Dec % CSpeciaD.-It is possible
that some of the lawyers and some OF the state
papers that have been making paper appoint
ments 10 the Supreme and Superior Court benches
have not stopped to consider that it may prove
embarrassing TO both Governor-elect Woodruff
and the principal members of the bench and bar
mentioned II their preliminary and cordially
gratuitous nominations do not pan out. The
same is true. in a lesser sense, in the many
suggestions for appointments on legislative COM
rnittees that have cropped out in public speeches
and in the press As far the latter are con-
oerned il is a fact that III some previous ses-
sions the publication OF a legislators name
with a position IN the House or Senate has more
than once necessitated the appointment. as mat
tiers had gone so far when the committees came
to be made up that it would have been decid-
edy embarrassing had the press nomination not
been put into effect by the Speaker.
The talk about the Supreme Court and the
Superior Court situation has something Of the
same state. The death last summer Of Chief
Justice David Torrance left a vacancy at the head
of the Supreme Court. Since that time, according
10 law. the place of chief justice has been filled
PRO fem. by the senior justice Of the court and
there has been no substantial ground for any
expectation that Governor Roberts would go
outside Of his executive powers and make an
appointnent for his successor. In fact, among
those who thought ii proper time 10 urge upon
the Governor the appointment Of a successor TO
The late chief justice IL was soon understood
that Governor Roberts did not intend to take
upon himself the authority for such an appoint
ment but did intend TO leave the matter entirely
70 The incoming executive. Such has been the
understanding and such. in fact, was the advice
given TO the Governor by Attorney General
King. when his advice was asked. The Attorney
General plainly stated that in his opinion the
state law gave the Governor no right TO appoint
10 the TWO higher courts during an interim be-
tween legislatures.
What Goyernor-elect Woodruff intends 10 do,
or whether he has decided upon any course, IS
not public Information. If, indeed, he has made
UP his mind the matter at all Politics. at
any rate. viii play part in his nominations to
the Senate.
TELEPHONE FIGHT NAY BE RENEWED
The telephone fight is likely to be renewed in
the state Legislature this year the Pennington
Valley Telephone Company having made public
SIS intention of asking the privilege Of extend
ing its business throughout the state The re-
quest means that the Pennington Valley COM
rany viii attempt 10 break into the field now
occupied exclusively by the Southern New Eng
land Telephone Company. The smaller company
now has its main Offices al New Britain. and
operates wires in the neghboring towns of
Pennington. Avon. PlainVille, Canton. CRANKY,
%ovr Hartford and Winchesrer II now asks
FOR special charter with the right TO conduct
a telephone exchange in any and all parts OF
the State Of Connecticut. The Pennington Val
ley Telephone Company has been the most ag-
gressiVe candidate for enlarged powers since the
telephone wars began II has an interest in a
minor company operating in Sharon. which in
turn goes over the line into New York State, |
and more than once has been aided in its re-
quest for wider business opportunities by out
side capital. particularly from New York The
company since 1899 has been repeatedly seeking
enlargement al the hands Of the General AS /
sembly. Two years ago its efforts We're second !
I'd by Important outside influences. but II did not
succeed IN carrying through its appeal As the
law stands now (passed in 1890 any telephone
company existing al that time under a special
charter or under any previous joint stock law
Of the state 10 do a telephone exchange business
S limited IN its operations 10 the towns in which
lis lines We're laid and in which II was doing
business on the signing OF the law in question
Other statutes. passed later. give any such COM
lany the right TO apply for wider opportunities
but the application has had TO gO'rO a Superior
Court Judge for a finding on public necessity or
convenience. Appeals from such findings have
only been allowed on questions of law the Su-
peT1or Court being the last resort in matters OF
iact The new application Of the Pennington
company rs virtually request that the present
Jaw Doe repealed, as far as concerns the CO,7Tau-
IN question. as its application is for a legislative
special charter without regard 10 the limitation
statute on the books. The Southern New Eng
land company IS expected 10 fight RE petition