The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-26

 state of skepticism regarding the character of party government, and in more than one instance have been told by we'll meaning. respectab ble and honest men, that You politicians are all liars. You say anything you be- lieve will catch votes and you do not mean what you say
 The result of this feeling has been in some parts of the state notable growth of a third party, which being without the responsibility that at taches to power, is unrestrictedly free to criticise both parties.
 In Bridgeport, in the last city elec- tion, this organization cast almost t. 0e0 votes, not because there are 4,000 persons in Bridgeport who believe II practicable, or possible, at this time to establish a cooperative mmon- profits-which the Socialists wish to do. but because hundreds of citizens were in rebellion against corrupt and evil leadership in both the Demo- cratic and Republican parties. and this very matter of promise breaking played an important part. And :! will tell you how, for the sake Of throwing light upon a situation that is not unusual, though here in Nor walk, the most progressive commun- ity politically in the state, do believe you are singularly free from anything or the klnQ
 After an investigation of the advan- tages of municipal ownership and upon conclusions based largely Cpon the South Norwalk experience, and following a searching investigation 1n- to the South Norwalk methods, the Democratic party made platform declaring for municipal ownership. It which resulted in the largest Demo- cratic victory, save one, that had ev- CT been known in Bridgeport. That victory found the city with a Demo- cr~tic mayor, two-thirds of the coup cil and every important office. Tne mayor endeavored to carry out the party promise of municipal ownership of the electric light works. That eff fort was nullif1ed by the action of those wicked and corrupt leaders to whom I have already referred.
 The result was a three-cornered to recover the ground that had been lost, and in which the victory went to Republicans by a scant third of the vote, so that we now have minor ity government in Bridgeport. =
 I promise you that in the fall pri- maries those leaders of privilege will be expelled from all authority and in- f1uence and some of them will be ex- ceedingly fortunate if they are not obliged to explain before 8 tribunal of justice.
 If this statement is not so, ! much misinterpret the sentiment or the ia.ln and file of Democrats in the second city of Connecticut.
 Like Bridgeport, like Connecticut! You who have followed the work of Senator Donovan at Hartford know what means were used by Republican leaders to defeat honest and neces- sary legislation at Hartford. You have read his stern denunciation of the corrupt lobby, made face to face and man to man.
 You have seen members of the third house, notorious traders in leg islation, elevated to be the official and titular leaders of that political organization so corrupt and so un- representative of the rank and file of honest Republicans, that 1t has gain ed for Connecticut the title of "the Backyard State" and brought it to serious discredit before the country, in such publications as the Saturday Ev ening Post, and others that might refer to if time permitted.
 In the Democratic party in Connec- ticut there is here and there a spot of this sort of thing. but in the Re- publican party this sort of thing is the organization, that creates and perpetuates a rule, by, for and of the great New Haven monopoly
 IL IS a nOtaOle circumstance that of the four members made delegates at large to the next Republican con- ventiOn. one was a notorious member of the lobby, and one an editor of a newspaper noted for its friendlinesS to railroad interests.
 Upon the Republican state Central committee will be found many of to such legislation as the public util- ities bill and the workmen's compen- sation act.
 This sort of thing cannot continue. It must be laid down as hard and fast rule that no man who is con- procuring legislation for hire shall hold public or party office.
 The monopolies of Connecticut are entitled to fair treatment by the state, but they ought not to be per- mitted to man the parties, and fill the high places of the Commonwealth with their political lackies, valets, footmen and other under servants.
 The situation in Bridgeport was local and restricted in place. It was general in spirit. The situation in Connecticut is local as to place, but general in what 1t symbolizes.
 The meaning of the progressive the nation and in the world is the overthrow of privilege and the talk ing of more opportunity for the mass es of mankind, for whose we'll being and happiness governments are instituted
 In China, now a Republic, in Tur- key, in France, England and Russia, has the great uplift of collective hope and aspiration asserted itself. Ire- land after thousand of years of op- pression is to have Home Rule.
 In the United States the forces of Democracy are at work as they have never been, save twice before, once when Jefferson penned the declara- Wendell Phillips thundered, Lloyd Garrison wrote, John Brown died, and Lincoln signed the proclamation that made the black man free.
 And in this great wave of progress the Democratic party is to play-has played a glorious part.
 All the great progressive measures now before the country, even those in which MT. Roosevelt is masQuerading, had their origin, their growth, and their active application at the hands of Democrats.
 It was only little while back that the Great Democratic state of Okla homa, about to adopt the initiative and referendum into it's constitution was solemnly warned back from such heresy by Mr. Roosevelt, who then stood in the exact place where MT. Taft more recently stood when he read the ban of accommodation against the sovereign and Democratic people of Arizona if they should at tempt to make their own constitution and organic law according to the d1c- tates of their own conscience.