The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-10-16
10, THE P0OR MAYOR.

seven years of a Democratic candi- date for Mayor appears to have thrown more people than should have been the case into flutter of appre- hension. If we were to judge from the things that are being said, from the fears that are being indulged in and from the predictions which are being made on politically deserted corners, corners which were until recently crowded, we should have to conclude that a majority of some seventeen or eighteen thousand citizens and voters with more or less deliberation moved as one man to bring New Haven to the precipice of despair
 For one thing we are told that Mayor-elect Martin, who boldly on the stump declared himself as an ad- vocate of living wage for city em- ployes, is about to so increase ex- { penses all around that the taxpayers will move on to the poorhouse while the inmates of that attractive struc- ture prepare to feast in the homes of the rich and well to do. The Mayor elect has not moved a step to accom- plish this sensational metamorphosis, though oddly enough timid and, as we believe, uninformed people are pre- pairing for the worst A single chop has taken the place on the family ta- bie of two chops and soup has been discarded altogether. The disappear ance of MT, Martin, first to the Dan- bury Fair, next to New York and fln- ally to Jamestown with the intrepid Foot Guards, instead of quieting their nerves has only further disturbed them. They doubtless reason that ab- sence from the scene of his future la bors only increases in his imagina- ton the pile of dollars to be distribut- ed. No thought is given the fact that he must deal with the board of finance, whose members do not necessarily become his personal property because he appoints in time most of them to office; no attention is paid the power of public opinion. which is mighty when provoked by errors of official judgment; no consideration is award- ed the Mayor-elect himself who, while believing as we all do that city em- ployes deserve a living wage, may so measure the size of that wage as not to throw New Haven into bankruptcy and empty the beautiful residence streets of New Haven of their inhab- itants. In other words, are not those who are at present sunk in the depths of distress bit premature about what is to happen? Quite likely.
 But the timid and apprehensive are not timid and apprehensive alone on account of Mayor-elect Martins fan cied delight in quickening the circula- ton of the common fund. What will he do with the offices which will be- come vacant at his actual installation :? What manner of man will he select for corporation counsel? Will he ever have seen and fingered a copy of Blackstone? Will he appoint to the rfrnef dopor4y,o eY,+ o ,,oov x1,Y, n I,,ou,a z, thoroughfare from back alley? Will the charity commissioner withhold the kindly light of timely assistance? We may have, in a sense of harmless hu- nor, phrased these questions to suit our purpose. but our readers neverthe- less will agree that the note of sus- picion touched by them they, too, have encountered in neighborhood gossip Nor in this connection do we all stor and think that 1t Is inconceivable that Mir. Martin should have sought the mayoralty for the mere purpose of ex. plotting his ignorance of the human equation and of the profound obliga. tion he owes a community which has honored him in 8 singularly generous manner, New Haven has elected many different kinds of men to the mayoral. ty since Roger Sherman, the frs mayor, took the oath of office, but wt do not recall that it ever elected ont so blind to his own political welfare as to smash ahead without regard tt consequences. More than enc of then has made mistakes and some have per sisted in errors of Judgment aftel they have been pointed out, but tn, remedy has always been near enough at hand to prevent serious mischief Even the dullest scholar tries to d. his best when the responsibilit! bears heavily on his shoulders, anC surely MT. Martin has proved that ht does not belong in that category. Hi very success, first as a candidate fo the nomination and second as a candi date for the office itself, stamps hin as a man of resource. Is there no really better reason for hope thai despair after all? Quite likely.
 Let's be sane while we can. Let Rot cross these ugly bridges until the,