The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-06
STATE STREETS

tee in the inspection of the drafts handed to them, and back of that, very likely, indicates a sinister design on the part of the real authors of these Bills
 It has been the aim of the minority of the Committee to have Comnis- sion of high grade men who will, by study and experience, qualify them- selves more and more a they continue in office, precisely as judge adds to his judicial qualifications by remain ing upon that Bench.
 It is desirable that the members of the Commission should devote their time to the duties of the office to the exclusion of other private vacations. Such men under such scope of duty cannot be secured at salary of $3,- 900 a year and the authors of these Bills know this full we'll.
 The Commission appointed by Gov ernOr Woodruff recommended a com mission of three members at salaries of $7. 800 each. Governor Baldwin in his inaugural address recommended a commission of three members al a sal ary of $5, 000 The minority of the Committee adopted the Governors view and that view accorded with their own.
 It is vital to the success of the pol icy about to be inaugurated for the regulation of these public service cor porations that this Commission should be composed of men of high character and recognized ability. and that can only be secured by providing com pensation commensurate with their manifold and important duties.
 The minority report is along the lines of the business mems bill, but with certain changes rela ting to the supervision of the issuance of securi- ties, and enlarging the right of ap- peals to the court from the orders of the Commission We also eliminated the power of the Commission as pro- posed in the business mems bill, as also in the Commission Bill to grant fran chises to corporations, leaving that power still exclusively vested in the General Assembly.
 This minority bill is the best pro- duct that we have been able to fur nish. and I can assure you that it has received the earnest thought and personal labors of the minority of the Committee. We believe that it meets with the approval of the State.
 Before closing. I feel warranted in commenting upon the ante-election as surances made by members of this body to the voters Of their districts, and upon the faith of such assurances these votes were cast.
 I regard a pledge made by a candi- date for public office as to his attitude upon a question of this supreme im- portance as binding upon his con- science. and that repudiation of pledg- es so made is reprehensible to the last degree.
 These pledges to our constituencies are not only personal to the candi- dates but it so happens that such pledges are accentuated by the solemn platform promises of both political parties.
 Can any Senator conscientiously say that these majority measures are redemption of those platform and per sonal pledges?
 Can it be seriously contended that the people of this State, when they fully understand the issues created by these two reports. will be satisfied with the passage of these majority meas ureS?
 I regard these majority bills as will full betrayal of the public interest, and I have confidence to believe that they will not be accepted by this General Assembly.