The morning journal-courier., 1908-08-12

Many overpowerng factors are work Ing together to bring this revolution about The foundation stone of course Is the American refusal to be bossed morning. noon and night, even when the act of bosslng produces occasional ly pretty good results But it has been ascertained that 1t Is not enough to enter a protest against the political machine. The conditions which make the machine powerful must be remov- cd and destroyed, A long step was taken in this direction when tho cor rupt practices legislation wac enacted. The professional politician laughed at It but today 1t is a menace in his path. The direct primary Is a mighty engine for the destruction of the conventional party machine as the political life of the south and west has abundantly shown The elimination by act of law
 
 Of contributions, which have their in- ception in the purpose of the contribu- tor to influence legislation and gov ernment, Is still another powerful ob- stacle in the path of the machine. In working for these improved instru- mentalities of government the plain people have been intelligently working for their own emancipation. In vain have they been warned of the possible unconstitutionality of these acts and of the federal consequences likely to reeult in other ways. Bound to eov- ern or know the reason why, they have proceeded on their way sublmely in- different to the counsel of the ma chine.
 Governor Hughes of New York and Governor Woodruff of Connecticut have been conspicuous figures in this onward and upward movement The Connects. cut machine has not yet seen the hand writing on the wall or, If having seen It. it is ready to ignore 1t and take the risk, but 1t has brought the New York machine up standing. Says Mir. Woodruff, the chairman Of the New York republican committee, speaking of the Hughes situation: We have been trying to find out the real sentiment of the rank and file of the Republican party of New York in choice of a candidate for governor and we are still seeking what the sentiment may reveal"
 This Is no pussy footed, mealy mouthed admission of dependence upon the real sentiment of the Repubicane of New York. It Is an abject admis- sion that unless the people, who have the bit in their teeth. get their way and the candidate they want they will decline to vote the Republican ticket at the polls in November, So far as the state ticket is concerned. The New York machine did not believe for a long time that the people were in earn est but they do now. And what's more, they now see that the renomin- ation and election of Governor Hughes means the enactment of direct prim ary law 10 their everlasting discom. fort. It looks today as If It wer, impossible to stem the current of re. form.
 The amazing feature of the onward and upwart movement Is that the Con. necticut machine does not sec the dan. gerous position it occupiee, There 1! popular demand all over Connecticut for the renOmlnation of Governor Woodruff in spite of a bargain made over a year and a half ago 10 nomn ate Congressman t-Large George L [ Lilley of Waterbury. Back of this pop ular demand, which is based upon the { knowledge that Governor Woodruff favors certain definite reforms In tn, organization of the state government . isaa amet but effective movement {, free his party from an arbitrary ma [ chine leadership. To further ienor, this sentiment and to insist upon th I redemption of promises made throuel misunderstanding of MT. Lilley's fit ness for high office will result in sucl political catastrophe that the ful significance of the revolution to which we refer will be revealed.