The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-17

The reforms urged n" GoNernof Woodruff were enthusiastically in- dorscd by the republican convention and praised in tho platform, but the rcpudiatlon of tho candidate whose policies we're thus praised imparts a sinister significance ,o the entire transactlon
 Eve call attention to the neccs- slty for retrtnchmcnt and reform m all of the departments of our state government, So lar have the leaders of the republican machine become wcaned from the principles of repre- sentative government, that tyrannical and revolutionary charter amend meuts have been forced upon cities anG borough without the consent and often against the protests of the peo- pie Co be governed under them. We express our faith il the democratic doctrine of home rule. We recom- mend a system of uniform city char ters leaving, however, as many details of municipal government as possible tJ the determination of the commnni- ties Co be affected thereby, and as sup- elementary thereto we give our in- dorscment to the policy known as the referendum.
 3-sWe favor that system of party nominations known us tho direct pri- ary and we urge the necessity of talk Ing such legislative action as shall make the second ballot absolutely se- cret, and we also favor such lcgisla- ton as shall make 1t obligatory upon the state gover iment to furnish tt It's own expense, official ballots bearing the names of regularly nominated candidates. We favor the publication of daily stenographic report of the proceedings of the general assembly thereby offering to the people at large an adequate record of the attitude ana ability or their chosen representa- tives.
 i've urge the passage of an em- plcyers' liability act similar to that In force in the state of New York.
 5-We denounce the granting cf public franchises without adequate compensation and protection to the people of our state. We condemn gov. cr1ment by commissions and all ln2 evils incident to that form of gova.1. meutal perversion.
 6-We demand the enactment of an effective law prohibiting, under heav, penalties, all corporate interference with the legislature by means of cam paign contribution, or appointment , to office, and we favor the passage ol a law requiring the political parties of Connecticut to make public, botl prior t0 and after election. the name, of all contributors.
 We favor constitutions amendment requiring two-third, vote of the general assembly to pas, any measure over the veto of the gov ernor.
 S-We recommend that the presen law which prohibits the amount re- coverable in negligence cases resulting In death to the sum of five thousand E5,0O0) dollars be repealed.
 9--ln the interest of public econ omy we contend that all contracts fol public supplies should be awarded {, the lowest responsible bidder from tn, citizens of the state seeking the work
 l0-We maintain the right ofever, municipality Co determine for itself , by vote of its people. whether or no 1t shall adopt the policy of public own ership of public utilities We favo such legislation as shall restore to tn people this inalenablc right of self government, subject only to such re qulrements of equity as should In jus tlce be made with respect to dread existing corporations, which may b : affected by the exercise of such right
 live favor q jaw establishing
 commission having authority over al f public service corporations with pow CTS commensurate with those given [
 state of New York
 12--We declare our faith in the his
 toric system of town government an
 commit ourselves to its preservatio,
 At the same time we pledge our ei - forts to secure legislation which sha l. afford the populous communities just and adequate representation y the house of representatives. If l3-We urge that a liberal state al If propriation be made for the preventlo :, and cure of tuberculosis, and for tl
 care and assistance, when nccessar ie of those who may be afflicted by it, T. Hive favor the creation of a flfi Y congressional district and the aboltio n, of office of representative al large le 15We call particular attention l. the corruption and intimidation grow )- ing out of the present lndefensib IS method of choosng county commission l- CTS. We insist that the people of tn In state are entitled 10 name their ow of public servants and we recommend Il 'e election Of county commissioners ar of judges of tho city and borough cour E. by popular ballot.
 in 16-Bolieving that the justice le these demands and the equity of the' ,e principles will appeal to the lntell in gencc and manhood of the people st Connecticut, we submit our cause wit i'd confidence and solicit the co-operatio l. and support of all patriotic citizens, m ----. If
 ic \ KENTUCKY EXPERIENCE.