The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-25

sections of the country have lost con- ndence in many of their pubic ser wants. The dictatorship by politi- cal bosses and representatives of the special interests is hotly resented for these men desire to control public servants and direct legislation to their own ends.'
 This usurpation of power he says, can only be ended by the people talk ing into their own hands, the direc- ton and control of the government.
 The first step, he says, is ito abot- lsh the boss and all his agencies, the caucus, the nominating convention and all political machinery which 1n- tervenes between the people and their government To this end he favors direct primaries, the initiative referendum and recall.
 And here is the message of Charles 5. Deneen, governor of Illinois. lie recommends the adoption of a con- stltutional amendment for the initia- tive and referendum. The recom- mendation is in obedience to a popu- lar mandate
 Using the means afforded by the Pubic Opinion law. the people voted in favor of a constitutional amend ment by 447,90S to s123,39S.
 We may safely number Illinois with the states which will go into the column where the people rule.
 And here is the message of Cover nor Hiram Johnson, of the great State of California. He says that California has been dominated by great railroad. He says that the peo- pie are and must be absolutely sov- erelgn. He says that ''big busi- ness has been corrupting the state. He says that the initiative, referen- dunn and recall are needed to restore government by the people.
 Already the legislatures of Califor- mia. Nebraska and Washington have adopted constitutional amendments practically identical with that offered here.
 Thirteen sovereign states that are committed to the principle in it's mandatory form.
 The legislature of Illinois is in- structed by the people. It is deemed almost a certainty that three other states will propose the amendment before the legislatures adjourn. ma there are IA constitutions in be- ing in the United States in which this amendment is included, or will be as soon as the people finish voting in the states where the amendment has not been submitted, which is in three states.
 You now understand what the Non-Partisan Federation means by it's. slogan, Freedom in 1912" It means that in 1912 a majority of the states will have taken into their own hands the final power to make and veto legislation. They will stop cor ruption by making it worth no rich mans time to buy a legislation. For what he buys the people can veto
 The people of the United States my friends are going to govern government "of the people, for the people and by the people," They are going to have it right here in Connecticut.
 Connecticut has the same need that the other states have. What is true elsewhere is true here. Corrup- tion is broadcast in our political sys- tenn. Indeed it may be truthfully said that the political system of Con- necticut as it is actually operated is founded on corruption.
 It begins with the corruption of voters at the polls, and before and during primaries and general and elections.
 Is "big business" less powerful in Connecticut than it is in California Is Conn ecticut less dominated by rail- roads than California?
 If there is any state in the union in which government needs to be re- stored to the people it is this state
 I would be justified in asking the members of your committee since most of your are experienced in poli-
  ruption that pervades our political methods
 But I will scan very briefly some recent evidence pointing to corrup- ton.
 There was the Republican state the alleged ballot box and the delegates that chang ed over night.
 There was the scandal in the Sec ond Congressional district. There was the bribery scandal in the 25th Senatorial district, of which will speak in a moment.
 There are the Lorimer letters, a dozen of which were written by May or Thayer of Norwich, openly charg- ing corruption.
 No man raised his voice to answer Those, charges went as a matter of course.
 There are the charges of Prof Fox who has never been able to induce a prosecutor to act, though the reason for action is apparent
 DO any of you gentlemen, lawyers learned in law and proof, assert that the expense accounts of any of three candidates of recent years, excepting Governor Baldwin. would bear inspection by the crimin- al authorities.
 What were all these thousands spent for. Does anybody believe that that all that was spent is shown?
 l call your attention to the re- marks of Governor Baldwin upon corruption in the state, made before his election
 And I will call your attention to some evidence contained in the ut terances of two distinguished mem bers of this committee, its learned Senate Chairman and it's equally learned member from the house, for mer Speaker Banks.
 
 each other in the last election for the senatorial nomination in the 25th sen atorial district.
 MT. Judson received the nomination. however, and on Sept. r, 1910, ad- dressing the delegates of the 25th District, said
 l think I may say here, without
 fear of dissenting voice, though
 it is something that Connecticut
 men must admit with shame, that
 for two decades the Senate of our
 State has been dominated by the
 given extraordinary powers by the
 people whose wishes they have
 flouted
 But the time has arrived in Con-
 necticut when the arrogance of the
 public service corporations must he curbed.
 I submit that the interests shall
 not arrogantly take an attitude
 that they are above the law and
 the people who create them and
 shall not be supervised
 And then MT. Judson used the fol- lowing language:
 It IS fact we'll known to many
 of the improper efforts which
 int n-%-