The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-17
Thursday, September IT, Ioos.
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.


 By nominating A. Heaton Robert son of this city for their candidate for governor the democrats of Connecti- cut have given point and direction to a crisis In the political life of the state. Ever since the republican con vention selected as the standard bear CT of that party Congressman George l.. Iilley of Waterbury, there has been a growing demand, from the loftiest of civic motives, that the democrats In dlscharging their partisan duty should at the same time recognize the wishes of the independent vote. This demand has been well met by the nomination of Judge Robertson, whose election will mean the emanci- patton of Connecticut from the dom- ination of machine rule,
 Judge Robertson needs no introduc- tion at our hands to the people of New Haven. He comes from demo- cratic stock and is democrat in the best meaning of that term, in that his interest in the welfare of his city and state is deep seated and genuine His distinguished father was at one time mayor of New Haven and by his pro-  grossive administration and sympathy with ideas which made for the devel- opment of the city won the affection of the people of all political parties. Those were the days, too, when par tisanship meant more than 1t does to- day. His son, the democratic nominee for governor served on the military staff of Charles R. Ingersol when that gentleman was governor of the state. He was q useful member of the court of common council, later a member Of the state house of representatives and still later a member of the state senate. He afterwards served as judge of probate for ten years. Four years ago he was the nominee of his party for governor, when he ran several thousand votes ahead of both the na- ticnal and state tickets So much for the political history of the man, his tory untainted by a single act which can cali into question his mental boise or personal character
 As q citizen Judge Robertson has come to be more and more q factor in the commercial life of the city and s.ate. He Is connected with many in stitutions, which employ labor and support the manufacturing interests Of the city and state, not because he has private interests to serve but be- cause he, as stockholder, is the choice of other stockholders for the position of director to represent them. He is a director of the New Haven TdllFpdu company anu III tudt thPdCleS will be likely to provoke hostility, but at the same time it must be remem- bered and will, if he Is elected, be unquestionably demonstrated that his love of state is greater than his sub servience to any private or corporate interest. But looked at from more logical point of view, the best inter ests of the company of which he is q director can better be served by him as governor in spirit of undoabted impartalty than be served in 8 spirit of servience. If inclined to take ad- vantage of the general assembly the presence of a director in the chair of governor would work logically and selGshly to make the railroad doubly careful of it's conduct, or all men Di. rector Robertson is not to be feared in the chair of governor upon which the full light of publicity shines.
 In every conceivable way Judge Robertson differs radically from his antagonist Congressman Lilley The very characteristics which make the latter undesirable as candidate for hign office make the former strong. So different are they in temperament and inclination that comparison of their relative fitness must compel men. who love their state before they love their party to choose accordingly and without hesitation As news paper profoundly concerned in the i'm mediate welfare of Connecticut we congratulate Judge Robertson upon the opportunity which is now his to hnlist in the cause of good government .nd commend his efforts to the atten- Aon and support of the voters.