The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-30

asked to give an opinion as to tho power of the fro commissioners to raise the pay of the men. He gaVo the opinion that the men would have first to resign from their positions be- fore change In pay could be effected owing to the wording of the consti- tution So much for this campaign broadside against Judge Robertson,
 But there is broader and more sig nlhcant view to be taken of Judge Robertson's candidacy from the stanl- point of his membership on the board of directors of the New Haven Rail- road company. We hold no brief for that company and we are at one with what we take to be the attitude of organized labor, and every other asso. ciation of Connecticut men, that the first interests to be conserved in the state of Connecticut are those which are connected with the public welfare. The recognition, for example, in this state of the principle of natural mon- opoly SC far as public service corpor- ations are concerned proceeded not from the domination of the halls of Legislation by the New Haven Railr 1ad company. but from the realization on the part of the public that In no other way could those properties be devel. oped to their fullest usefulness. The one provlso inserted in the general understanding was that public ser vice commission should be established to take the place of the railroad com mission to see that the principle of natural monopoly was not abused, either inadvertently or purposely. Judge Robertson stands on platform pledging the party which he repre- sents to the creation of such a body. Had he held to a sinister view of the usefulness of such commission ne could not be in nomination at this hour and as q railroad man he mus. know that the principle of natural monopoly Is not to be tolerated here or elsewhere unless the possible dan gers of 1t are anticipated and guarded agains.
 But let us take Judge Robertson's 8 candidacy from q still broader point of view, that which relates directly 10 the welfare of labor. The New Ha- ven Railroad company is the largest employer of labor in the state of Con necticut, and the intimacy between the welfare of the capital invested and the labor employed was never more impressively demonstrated than dur HIS illc past lsN HiVullls' lue injury to one has proved 10 be an equal in- jury to the other. If We thought for a moment that the election of Judge Robertson meant the use of the power of the governorship to impose hard ships upon the employees of the com pany, or 10 enforce the enactment of Legislation seeking to give the railroad company an undue advantage over the public at large. we should oppose his election. It is because we realize and recognize that there can be no pros- perlty on the part of the company without like prosperity coming to the men in its employ that we regard 1t as inconceivable that Governor Robertson should use the power of that office for other than the general good. We are not looking to sec wings sprout from the shoulder blades of the NeS t4e~Sn Railroad company in event of Judge Robertsons election,
 but we shall look confidently for a square deal to all concerned as a re
 suit of his discriminating study of leg islatlon affecting the interests of both
 corporations and their employees. The Journal Courier is in hearty
 sympathy with the aims of labor to
 constantly improve it's condition bat
 we insist, az We believe that the grea;
 majority of workIngmen do, that hum.
 bug and hypocrisy shall be ellminat sd
 from the discussion of the fitness of q
 man who has lived his whole life in
 Connecticut, as Judge Robertson na' done