The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-12
HEADERS"

HEADERS"
 Much has been printed about the "Republican machine in Bridgeport, swhich lis I'd sGribea as being dominat- ed M SJHer or Aeb mem who, in turn, have been referred to as Republican Headers This semi-mysterious lan- guage tends to obscure the actual sit nation, especially from voters who are not familiar with the details of politics.
 What is the Republican machine :? HoNz didI such men get to (be.s lead ers.| s.ssWhat sort of leaders are they2
 This necessitates a little inquiry into the nature of the employment of these "leaders'' who have sudden lv emerged into the light of day, without visible reason or motive. for ss,'sss ssns g nTfy of hss si,t,ns sss- five character beneficial to the col Iectivity, neither has been known for his advocacy of legislation desired by the voters, neither. has ever been con nected in any way with any matter in which leadership in the proper senss of the word has. played part
 Rscentlx in,pertanx iouestions have been agitated in Bridgeport. such as municipal. ownership of public utili- ties, the creation of a public utili- ties commission, direct primaries. workmen's compensation, initiative and referendum and the like.
 We're these leaders tjn the front of he movsnighf et6a obtain these re- forms? Not They were conspicu- ous in the movement to stop them. One Leader" was openly a lobbyist at the capitol in Hartford. There was practically no bill of the descrip- tion here outlined that he was not against.
 Take az an example, The Public utilities legislation, which was desir- ed by practically everybody in Bridgeport, business men, manufactu- rers. professional men and people of all classes. One leader did his best to secure the defeat of that bill. The other leader is permanently em- ployed by a local monopoly, which has many interests distinctly adverse to those of the city. When legis- lation relating to the monopoly is be- ing considered this Header" has us- -ually been found in the immediate neiehborhood of the legislators. How did he get to be a 'leader?"
 The answer is simple. The con- vention system, under the Republican rules, lends itself to the domination of small groups, if they are wealthy and influential.
 It. permits men to be elevated to "leadership" who are not in sympathy wifh the ideals, the demands, the wishes or the purposes of the Repub- lican party, or of any other party. It permits men to be elevated to lead ership who are opposed, and under pay to be opposed, to measures that the Republican party demands. re- quires and intends to get. It per- mits men to be elevated because they are opposed to popular measures, and prevents their elevation to Header ship" if they favor what the people favor.
 Another point. The men so elevat- ed are not leaders. They are ser wants. They are the servants of the men who stand Ii behind them, who have the wealth, the Influence and the means for creating the Machine
 If these Headers" in Bridgeport should for an instant displease even one of these interests their leader ship would last about as long as it would, take an employer to dis charge his butler. or : his scullery maid.
 The sad truth is that too frequent ly political Headers are not leaders, but the menia1s of monopoly. They present a brazen face, and a gay front, but to the initiated the fal- sity of appearances is plain. No titles of false leadership en- tirelyi obscure theit truth that such are the 'saw dust men of politics; the menials who clean the cuspidors and do the dirty work of monopoly.
 DONOVAN AND HUDSON.