The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-09
MAYOR BUCKINGHAM HAS BEEN STRONG MAYOR

= Bridgeport is upon the eve cf hlunicipal campaign which will be in many respects unique. While there are those who regret every departure from the old order, seeing in new things nothing but error, yet the truth will be that progress hardly ever ceases, and never ceases for any length of time. There is already evil dence that the coming campaign will represent progress. If is already cer- tain that the scramble for jobs" which has been the dominant feature of municipal campaigns in America, will be accompanied by a discussion of issues. By "a discussion of issues is meant the consideration of meas ures which seem to be necessary to make the city more useful to its in habitants. And. since under our sys- tenn of government. the foundations of state and national governments, are laid in the cities and towns. this means to some extent a consideration of the effect of local action upon the wider outside areas.
 Xn case this point is not quite clear let us consider some recent matters. In the last General Assembly certain important legislation was considered. Four items will be referred to.
 First was public utilities. Then wukmen's compensation. Then di- rect primaries. Then initiative and refsRendum.
 The order is not of their respective importance. but is the order in which they happen to be written.
 There is no doubt whatever about the public demand for all of these bills Were they submitted to the voters they would be approved by an overwhelming vote. Yet of them all only the Public Utilities Bill passed. and that by a bare plurality and in a weakened form.
 This was because the legislation wac opposed by men called lobbyists, who represented interests, which for sell fish reasons didanot want these pro- gressive laws to be made. @
 Bribery. in its rawest form played some part in what happened. But large part of the strength of the Lob by was due to the fact that it's mem bers, many of them, occupied high places in the councils of the parties. They addressed weak members of <ba;r rorfien iv, tbo y,orpa If tho pa rfv
 All over the state local elections are increasing or decreasing the pow CT of this sort of men. They are as- sisting to determine whether this sort of party misrepresentation and betrayal of party trust shall continue.
 The application is peculiarly true to Bridgeport, for Bridgeport furnished some of the most cunning, the most dangerous elements of the Lobby.
 Bridgeport also sent a delegation that was with the exception of one or two votes. solid for the progressive measures referred to and for all other progressive measures.
 The Bridgeport delegation stood for progress because the organization from which it proceeded represented progress.
 Let us suppose that this delegation had proceeded from the ''new leader ship" which is struggling for control in the Republican party in the pres ent election.
 Would the Bridgeport ,delega ton then have been on the side of pro- gress, or upon the side of the Lobby and what the Lobby represents?
 Nor must it be understood from what Is here said, that state and na- tional issues in municipal election are to be exalted over local issues The first. consideration is the way the city is run. But is it not reasonably certain that a controlling political group that is against progress in l Hartford will be against progress in i Bridgeport? We believe there is only one answer to this question.
 Mayor Buckingham will himself give an account of his Stewardship. It is expected of him. He ought to. 1 He will
 For the present let it be inquired what objections are urged against him.
 The principal objection seems to be | that he "has been weak. mayor, or that he has not been "a strong may
  CUT PRICE (