The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-21
GOV. BALDWIN
 WOULD REMOVE
 COURT OFFICER
Believes Certain Prosecut- ing Attorneys Have Failed
 to Do Their Sworn Duty
Mentions Particular Case and Writes Butterworth Club He Hopes for Law Giving Him Removal Power.

The movement against certain pros ecuting officers in the State who have failed to prosecute charges of corrupt practices in the last elections has the substantial sympathy of Governor Baldwin. The Governor in a letter to 'the Butterworth Progressive Re- publican Club, of New Haven, shows plainly his attitude toward court off, cers who fail to carry out their sworn duty. This letter is wri ten in answer to the resolutions passed by the But terworth Club last week and forward ed to the chief executive of the State. It urges the club to use all it's efforts to get favorable legislative action on the recommendation in his inaugural message that the Governor be author ized to remove at. his discretion, for what he deems reasonable cause, af- ter giving an opportunity for a hear ing before him, any executive officer, not chosen by a popular election, in- cluding such as are appointed by the courts"
 The Governor in his letter makes it plain that he believes the law against corrupt practices has not been faith fully executed by all prosecuting of fcers and the statement is considered an important contribution to the cam paign for a pure ballot. He mentions one case in particular
 The latter will come up before the Butterworth Club at it's next meeting and some steps taken to follow out the suggestion of the Governor regarding the legislation indicated above.
 Senator Butterworth stated last night that he wished it understood that this campaign was not distinc- lively and absolutely club move m a1f NEon 1;+ side of the organization are giving their support and the support of any organization or individual will be free ly welcomed
 The Governors letter, written from the executive office at Hartford and containing the State seal follows:
 Hartford, March IS, 1911. MT. c. Irving Hemion.
 Secretary Butterworth Progressive
 Republican Club,
 61 Dorman St., New Haven. Dear Sir:
 Your letter of March F is received, enclosing resolution of the Butter worth Progressive Republican Club, which denounces the failure of prose- cutting officers in various sections of the State to file complaints against parties charged with corrupt practices in the campaign of 1910 and contains a protest against those whose sworn duty it is to enforce the law, without fear or favor against all persons who corrupt citizens and thus mega, i've the votes of honest voters. but who have thus far hesitated to perform the du- ties of their office"
 It is my sworn duty, as Governor of Connecticut, to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In my opin- ion, as in yours. the law against cor rupt practices has not been faithfully executed by all prosecuting officers In one case. at least. evidence was presented to one of them which in my Judgment required him to institute proceedings. I saw him personally, and urged him to take that course, but he declined.
 It was in part to. meet such cases that I recommended in my inaugural message "such legislation as will au- thorize the Governor to remove, at his discretion, for what he deems reason able cause, afler giving an opportun- ity for hearing before him, any exc cutive officer, not chosen by a popular election, including such as are ap- pointed by courts.'' If I had been invested with such a power, I should probably have removed the prosecut- ing officer in question. I would sug- gest to your club, as a practical ob- ject to work for, the procurement of such an extension of the authority of our Governor. It seems to me needed to enable him adequately to fulfill his constitutional duties.
 Yours very truly,
 SIMEON E.. BALDWIN.