The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-21
LD17oRloa PACE OF HE EVENING FARMER
THE PUBLIC INTEREST DEMANDS FRANK AND
 FAIR DISCUSSION OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

A newspaper which is remarkable
 it's views and for the acrobatic dex-
 terity with which it presents simul-
 taneously a dozen faces as its edi-
 torial policy on the same question,
 disparagingly, to this newspaper, be-
 cause it has discussed the. new lead
 ership of the Republican party, as represented in the person of De Yer
 H. Warner.
 This discussion has been in the
 temperate language of parliamentary
 usage. and within the ethics of hon. est Journalism. The principle involv- ed is not different than that in the Posts own use, saving that the Post has presented a series of fulsome laudations of the new leadership, couched in self abasing language that has it's similie in the attitude of a King Charles Spaniel expecting a chunk of tenderloin steak.
 Is there any reason why the pre- tensions of MT. Warner to political leadership should not be discussed !? Is there any sound reason why MT. Warner should sit in the dark and pull, unknown to the public, the wires attached to men who pose as leaders, but are merely political automatons?
 A man who aspires to lead poli- tical party cannot, as rule, expect ns.s nas s'ais ss. ' sEesslse's ssssses Neither can he expect newspapers to refrain from calling the attention of the public to defects in his political leadership, if there are any. This duty will not be altered because some newspapers prefer to bend the pregnant hinges of the knee, that wealth. may follow fawning."
 No man in public life can, or ought to expect to escape just criticism. It is necessary for the protection of the coIlectivity that his abilities should be discovered and his weakness. if he has any, pointed out. In the whole less evil will follow. even from the abuse iof this datys ai1anrfronoits neg 1ect.
 This newspaper does not undertake to say that MT. Warner ought not to lead the Republican party; that is for the members of his party to say. But they cannot have an opinion upon the matter until they know of it.
 Neither is it said that MT. Warner ought not to take charge of Bridge port, through men in his employ ment and office holders who have agreed to carry out his wishes. or the wishes of the little organization he has built, which, amounts to ths same thing. This permission can only be given, or denied by the cleo 1 tors of Bridgeport, who, in turn,i can not act intelligently. without evil dence.
 There are circumstances in connec- | ton with this new leadership which | call for frank discussion and earnest ton.
 May not the leadership of MT. War ner mean a government of the city | by and for the public service corpora ton, with which he is connected and | which have many interests adverse to those of the city !?
 Mir. Warner, by himself-or by members of his family in close rela- deeply interested in the local gas and water monopolies and in the railroad monopoly
 Within recent times the city has had controversies with the water over water filtration. over the 20 year water contract, and over provision. for fire protection over meters, over floods. With gas and water monopolies it has had serious differences over taxation and the price of the commodities sold by these 
 With the railroad it has differences over the harbor,; over taxation, over service, over street gra bbing, over de- lays in street repairs, and suits are now preparing or pending in some of