The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-26
THE CITY ELECTION.

 The two older political parties have placed their local tickets in the field and it is simple task in city the size of New Haven for each voter to determine which in his opinion is the better man for the position of Mayor. The same easy inquiry will lead to conclusion as to the candidates for the other offices.
 The candidate for mayor on the Democratic ticket is James B. Martin, member of the county bar in good standing, former efficient city clerk and political manager of no small pretensions and experience. The can didate for mayor on the Republican ticket is Minotte B. Chatfeld, busi- ness man of integrity, former mem- Der of the General Assembly in the house of representatives and later in the senate, and politician of nim- ble judgment. It is not understood that either gentleman personifies an issue in the political life of the city or brings with him to the campaign remedy for evils which have shock ed or disturbed the community. It might almost be said that they are the creatures of conditions forced by the charter which provides for a bi. ennial election. Tn view of the fact that MT. Studley has for consider able period held the post of mayor and that of judge of probate without protest, and has apparently without physical exhaustion held down both jobs, it is conceivable that that queer order of things might have been. continued indefinitely So that when one comes to study the situa- tion from the point of view of the present it is difficult to wax enthusi- astic, The political game calls for new deal but the stakes do not seem to have changed.
 Whichever of these gentlemen is elected New Haven will continue to advance in prosperity and popula- tion It has never yet been asked to endure an incompetent It is not now. Yet there are certain differences in the attitudes taken by the two po- litical parties, measuring them by their candidates for mayor, which make for human interest. So far as the public knows, neither candidate represents an issue. Each is a candi- date of his political party and will if elected, in addition to giving an ad- nninistration of usefulness and digni- ty so far as able, work for the strengthening of his party organiza- tion. We admit that this is intensely human and is what is done nine times out of ten when new men take of- flee; it is not what we call exciting it is hardly an excuse for a man to lose his temper or his sleep If, therefore, we are to measure these two candidates by what they repre- sent in this contest, so far as either has taken the public into his confi- dence, the conclusion is irresistible that New Haven is confronted with a battle between two old and familiar partisan organizations, neither in this instance undertaking to ride into office upon the wave of great and needed reform Perhaps, however, later when the few remaining days before election may start fire, a reason will be given for livelier comment.
 In one respect Mr. Martin has the better in theory at least of MT. Chat field. He was nominated to the exact extent of the number of Democratic voters who cared to participate ir the primary in accordance with the principles of popular government The ridiculous caucus registration law modified the free play of those principles, but it could not entirely kill their usefulness. He was obliged to meet his adversary in open combat He would have been compelled tC meet additional adversaries had they either personally or through friendly representatives, presented themselve, as candidates, which they could hay, done without the consent of part, bosses. Both he and his associate therefore can claim to stand upon platform of popular will. If this is desirable tradition to preserve MI Martin can make an effective appea to what is known as old-fashionet Democracy or Republicanism, which ever terms one prefers. He may als claim, unless the unfitness of his can didacy is demonstrated, to be tn representative of a more even divisio of political power, which the city Q New Haven and the State of Connect