The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-15
NEW COMMISSIONER
OF LABOR BUREAU

Patrick II. Connolley of Danbury,
who has been nominated by Governor
Simeon e. Baldwin as commissioner
OF the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is
one of the foremost representatives
of organized labor in Connecticut.
The talk of opposition to his conf1r-
nation on the part Of Democratic
senators emenates chiefly from
sources. il not hostile, at least not
friendly to the governor. 1t is true
that when his name came to the Sem
ate there was a show of disappoint-
ment In one quarter but this was
principally because the 'other fell
lows wishes did not prevail in the
subernatorial mind. No one can gain
say Mr.. Connolley's fitness for the
important trust; his democracy will
stand q much severer test than that
Of his critics; in his own town where
he has labored for many years his
fidelity and worth are appreciated;
/ employer and employe alike testify TO
his abundant tact and sincerity Of
purpose. Naturally there should be
some soreness especially on the part
of those who had foolishly imagined
they were close to the throne" The
Baldwin mind Is of the type that sur
passes the comprehension of the poll
: tician who makes trade of the game.
Those who have endeavored to faith
Z %n1i
vigorous and powerful and witha1 in
tent upon receiving rather than she'd
ding light when importuned by the
pilgrim in search of political fodder
sober sense supervenes the angry
! mutterings following the first shock
of personal disappointment it will be
seen and recognized that the COVER
nor has not departed one jot from
the splendid standard which he has
set for himself in the matter of fill
ing all positions of public trust. The
charge so thoughtlessly made that
Mr. Connolley had been the recipient
; of Republican bounty at the hands of
: the state chairman of the party, Mr.
} Kenealy. is utterly devoid of truth
Those who know the gentleman
against whom the SANDER has been
uttered are serene in the confidence
that the charge carries with it its
own refutation. Convincing proof Of
I Mr.. Connolley's capabilities to ade-
auately discharge the duties of the
position for which he has been nam
he handled the important labor diff
fculty between the hatters and man.
lufacturers of his home town when
after five months of steady persist
ming over an apparently irreconcil-
able element that comprised fully 90
Iper cent of his fellow craftsmen
For having advocated the plan of
settlement which was eventually con-
eummated he was bitterly denounced
but in the end those who were the
quickest to malign were in the fore
front of those who sang his praises
THE Farmer believes that if Mr. Con-
Motley is confirmed neither the COVER
nor nor the state will have cause TO
lregret his custodianship of the office
1t is idle to contend that there is a
parallel in the present instance and
that of the retiring insurance COM
missioner. The Hartford Courant pre-
tends to find a parallel, it is true, but
really there is a wide divergence be-
tween one filling a public trust, re-
i7naining actively in charge of purely
partisan affairs and one out of office
who owes no such responsibility to
the public. While we hold no brief
for Mr.. Connolley we hazard the guess
that when he assumes the duties of
labor commissioner he will be as
completely separated from partisan
office holding of the nature which
seems Objectionable TO Governor
Baldwin as the expiring insurance
commissioner has been welded to it.
EGkC0I TDATT0N QE