Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-28
Government by Commission.

Mr.. Editor-Although not a resident
of Norwich, s a graduate of the Free
Academy, and as one interested in
Norwich municipal problems, perhaps
you will permit me few remarks on
the proposed city charter.
There has been a surprising lack of
discussion in the public press on this
very important proposition on the part
of Norwich citnzens Outside of the
editors and the charter commission
Mr. Boardman's brief communication
is the only one noted. Although the
charter commission W eGomes sugges-
lions and criticisms, admitting that the
document which they have drawn is by
. means perfect, Your evening con-
temporary seems to consider it offensive
and reactionary for anyone to dare to
presume to criticise or point out the
defects in the proposed charter; while
the political persuasion of the spokes-
man was prominently mentioned by the
paper. the editor carefully refrained
from mentioning the politics of any of
the other speakers. Why this dis
elimination?
Nom craftsmanship is a snare and a
delusion- Political parties represent
economic principles. Both the repub-
lican and democratic parties arc a unit
in their fidelity to the cause of mann
ward or against labor is identical. Be
ing agreed on this essential point they
get together and think if they drop the
scramble for offices between the two
old parties, they can reduce the num-
Der of the Offices and control the Of
fve-ho1ders more effectively, and in this
way think they can escape from the
in herent corruption of a system based
on robbery, an in1possibility. When
men stand for principles they must be
honest. When they stand for plumber,
they are apt to be dishonest.
~ for iS sy,
the interests of the many but of the
few-in the interests of plutocracy
rather than democracy. De Tocque-
Vile said truly that the cure for the
evils II democracy is more democracy.
Look at the letter which Mr.. Cary, a
member of the charter commission,
read approvingly to the Mems club of
the Central Baptist church. The writ
er of the letter, Arthur II. Grant. is d
bitter foe of municipal enterprise and
has stumped the country in the inter-
ests of the corporations, fighting
against municipal ownership of water
works, gas works. etc. I heard him
myself recently, and would advise the
working class of Norwich to go slow
before they lend a willing ear to such
''Trojans bearing gifts as Arthur H.
Grant. His letter is characteristic. II
he had his way, he would abolish the
recall altogether. sIf he couldn't do
this, he would materially increase the
required to recall an Off
cial so as to make it difficult to in
woke. These are the siren voices of
reaction and capital which the prom
inent men of Norwich are listening to.
according to the paper.
If it has been determined to saddle
government by commission instead
of government by the people ON the
city of Norwich, then abolish the mi
tiative, referendum and recall altogeth-
en-. and turn the reins of power over
to the autocracy But if the people
want to have a little something to say
as to how they should be govern ed,
they should rise in their might and de-
mand recall, initiative and referen-
dunn power on the initiative of five per
cent. of the voters.
One feature of Mr.. Grants letter is
worthy of consideration, viz. a provi-
sion protecting an officer from sec
ond attack of the recall, within a rea-
sonahle period after a recall election
had taken place.
Give the people more, not less. OPP
portunity for participation in civic af-
fairs, and you will make better citi-
zens of them.
EDWARD PERKINS CLARKE.
Mystic, Conn. Nov. "a. 1910.