The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-23
THE CORPORATION ISSUE.


 THE CORPORATION ISSUE.
 It is evident from Mr. Lineys new interest in the subject Of public utill- ties legislation that he is seeking more to call attention to Judge Rohertson's connection with various public service corporations as director, thus provok- Ing doubt as to his capacity for deal ing with legislative questions affecting them than his own personal interest in the general movement He has never before had anything to say about the need there is or may be of additional legislation in restraint of the public service corporations and the platform upon which he stands is as silent as the grave upon the subject The in fluences which are back of him in this campaign are the influences which un- dertooR to defeat Governor Woodruff in his attempt 10 have a commission Of inquiry created, and which saw to it that when created he was not given the power to select the commissioners, There is absolutely nothing in the record of MT Lilley to warrant him in this manner and spirit questioning the equal capacity with himself of Judge Robertson 10 serve the state of Con necticut, and all others concerned, faithfully in this important connection, It is not only a characteristic in- pertinence on the part of MT, Lilley to represent himself as more to be trusted when fl comes to corporations than Judge Robertson, but 1t is pure pretense. Does anybody suppose for a moment that had the stockholders of the New York, New Haven and Hart ford Railroad company selected him to act as director of the road these now virtuous opinions of his would have stood in the way of his accept ance? He would have accepted the appointment as the other members Of the board of directors accepted their appointments as proof positive of the position he held in the business life of the state He would have been de- lighted, and would now be delighted f he could receive such an endorsement of his personal character Neither Mir. Lilley nor anyone else need deceive himself as to the significance attached to an appointment to the board of d. rectors of the biggest business in vestment In the state and the biggest taxpayer.
 By insisting upon the unhtness of MT Robertson for governor because of his connection with public service cor porations Mir. Ltley invites scrutiny Of his own corporation connections There appears to be a feeling on the part of many of the newspapers of the state that MT, Llley enjoys immunity from consideration in connection with the conventional things of life which usually go to establish a mans charac. ter and ftnes for public office Judge Robertson Is director of several pub lie service corporations Very well Now will MT Lilley state from his per, onal knowledge, whether these cor. porations have ahnsed their charter rights, demanded from their patron, excessive profits, ceased ever to give excellent service and finally meuacet the welfare of the state of Connecti cut? If they have not, then they are not to he classified among undesirable citizens, 1T they have done these things then Mir, Lilley should tell us abou them, not in the reckless manner ir which he undertook to Illuminate al. legged submarine rascalities, but in { categorical manner, giving names dates and other evidence essential tc an intelligent conclusion Mr. Lillel has been let for altogether too long { time to indulge himself in irresponsi ble statement It is time some one pu him a few direct questions since tn, evident purpose of his campaign speeches ia to attach to his popitca antagonist suspicion as to his In tegrty as a possible officer
 And when he has exposed Juds Robertson and the corporations witt which he is connected he should un dertake comparison of these cor porations with the beef trust of whicl Mir. Lilley has been the beneficiary directly or indirectly. for many years A comparison between them, especially with reference to the manner in wnicl they have served the public would b. interesting and Instructive The Ney Haven railroad has at least yolunraril.