The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-29
Thursday October 20. 1908.
A. HEAToN ROBERTSON.

A. HEAToN ROBERTSON. We are solicitously asked by the es- teemed Hartford Courant to say word for A. Heaton Robertson, the democratic nominee for governor of Connecticut Tired with the amy thing to beat Lilley argument" our old friend and occasional mentor wants to learn about MT. Robertson, a very proper inquiry and one which we gladly undertake to gratify.
 We do not mean by this amiable willingness to tell of the faith that moves us in behalf of Mr. Robertson that we acduiesce in the soundness of the theory that the anything to beat Lilley argument" has not four legs to stand upon. If there is any one issue in Connecticut politics to-day that takes precedence over other local is- sues it is the desired defeat of George L. Lilley in his preposterous candida  cy for governor. Congress has pro tected itself as well as 1t can under the circumstances against having him as member, and 1t has become the solemn duty of the state of Connecti- cut to protect itself against the dis credit of having him as It's governor, because of the revelation he has made of himself as s1ifty misleading, vacillating and uncertain factor in public life. From the moment when he thoughtlessly tore away the mask, which concealed his real personality, to this second, he has grown in the fear of all scrupulous and impartial judges. It Is far more important to defeat MT Lilley at the polls next week than 1t Is to consider the quail fications of anyone of his competitors, strong language but Justified by the record
 Tn language somewhat involved but yet understandable the Courant would like to know what argument there is which can be made in MT. Robertson's behalf that might not be made were the president of the New Haven Rail the nominee of the democratic party From the point of view of which this inquiry is made, there is none Either would be preferable as governor to Mir Lilley. Is the Courant willing and ready to advance any argument affect ing the personal integrity of these gentlemen as a consequence of which they ought not to be trusted with an office, which relates to the honor of the commonwealth? The loose manner in which the Courant speaks of men, who are in charge of great corporate interests in Connecticut, and the man ner in which Mr, LAley speaks of them, though purely for political ef- feet, suggests that during the domina- tion of the republican machine in the state of Connecticut, they have come upon knowledge which iustifes them in being suspicious of all the men connected with any or all of the pub lie service corporations In the state. 1s this SO?
 Now word as to MT. Robertson He is a gentleman, man of honor, a graduate of Yale university, director in many of the important public ser vice corporations, the senior warder of his church, man whose word is as good as his bond The only objection that our virtuous corporation batting contemporary would seem to have tc MT. Robertson as a candidate for hist office is that he is a director In many public service corporations. We hot no brief for any one of them, but are we to understand that the Couran finds in that official connection req son for questioning the usefulness O. men for public office? Since when dit an election to the dictatorship of ( public service corporation In the state of Connecticut come to be q measure of mans iniquity? Is the Couran ready to apply its suggested animost! to all men thus grouped with the cor porate class? It is important that an swers should be given to these inquir les, wholly aside from the significance that may be attached to MT. Robert Hons private conduct, because @ fur ther anaylsis of the Courants sudder suspicion of public service corpora. tions may establish what we have nev CT believed, that in reality our publl service corporation directors are trait ors to the general welfare. If that 1!