Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-17
M'NEIL WILLING
 IF PARTY CALLS

A4 1A4A4 NxAAA0 BUT HE WILL NOT FIGHT FOR
 NOMINATION.
 Time Is Ripe. He Says. for a Change
 in the Politics of the State of l Connecticut-Some of His
 Views on the Subject.
 l Bridgeport, March 17.-Senator Archibald McNeil made the following statement to-day regarding his can didacy for the democratic nomination for governor: 'I shall not enter into any. protracted contest for the nomination, but should 1t appear, however, to the leaders of the dem- ocratic party, reflecting as I believe they do the sentiments of the rank and file, that my candidacy would best exemplify the reforms to which the democratic party is committed, shall, if rendered the nomination by the democratic convention, accept the honor with full realization of the responsibilities which it entails.
 'It is my judgment that the tim. is ripe for a change in the politics of this state. The republican party has been in power so long that it has come to regard itselI as the sole trustee of the government of the in I h o hif fo m of Hnnnaefinnf Cn oughly Is it entrenched in power that it goes right on assuming that who- ever 1t nominates for public office cannot be defeated, so perfected has become its machine through the en- richment of various agencies at the expense of the taxpayers of the state. believe that the public mind is fast awakening to the evils which exist in our body polite. It seems to me that in state campaign into which na- tional issues should not be injected the democratic party has a splendid opportunity of wrestling the control from the republicans by a straight forward appeal to the consciences of the electors. Take the record of the last two republican general assem- plies and place them before the voters of this state, and l sincerely believe that despite its machinery, and almost limitless funds, the peo- pie can be trusted to render verdict against republicanism and in favor of those who without fear or favor take up the fight against special priv ileges and in favor of the people as a whole.
 "No deserving cause ought ever to appeal to the people in vain. Many thoughtful and far seeing republi- cans are of the mind that the very best thing that could happen in this state would be the election of a democratic administration. In no other way will there be brought about retrenchment in the enxendi- ture of our moneys. Thousands of dollars are annually wasted in satis- lying the greed of political workers for whom congenial and remunera- tive positions must be found.
 "The question of municipal own ership of public utilities is one that is receiving widespread public atten- tion. It Is question in which have taken a deep interest for years. AS long ago as 1873, as a member of the common council of Bridgeport, l advocated the purchase by the city of the plant of the Bridgeport Hy- daulic Co, which was then offered to the city for half million dollars. l favored the municipal acquisition of this plant and voted for it. and there can be no question if but that had the municipality acquired the water | rlr at hat fuan if rynrtld haun proved a real blessing to the people of the city. Since have been old enough to have matured compre- hension of public affairs have leaned toward the municipal control and operation of certain public utili- ties. l believe that whenever towns and cities desire to acquire the own ership of such necessities reasonable and just laws should be enacted that would enable them to do SO. In assuming this position I desire to have 1t clearly understood that I do not and would not favor the procure ment of these utilities without equitable recompense to those whose savings are invested in the unwatered stock of those concerns. There should be made possible some fair and reasonable way in which they can be obtained for the use and bene- fit of the public without Injury to the present owners.
 | ''The experience of most of tne cities of this country and many of the European centers shows that 1t is for the welfare of the public to have certain forms of public service rendered and controlled by the mu- nicipality.
 My adherence to the democratic party during it's persistent and re- peated efforts to reform the state constitution and bring about a change in our present system of rep resentation In the legislature suffi- ciently defines my position on that question. The present unjust and | in equitable method of representa- ton cannot be defended. believe in majority rule and consequently cannot indorse the present system of the state which admits of small minority dominating and ruling a Ilarze majority. I believe that repre- sentation should be based on a req sonable division of population. and until such conditions exist in Con- necticut it's large industrial centers must continue to submit to such gov ernmental ideas as emanate from a small majority of its population. who because of an anfiquated constitu- tional provision that is unique | among an other states in this uniOr possess unnatural powers which are | not infrequentiy used to the detrt-