The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-15

withstanding signs which might be read while running, they appear, with extremely few and partial exceptions to be confident that the old aims and methods, the old jargOn, the old de- ceits, the old treacherieS, which have served their selfish ends a century and more can be used just as effectively for as long a time to come. If the pOliti- elan errS in his reading or interpre- tation of the industrial and social ore der in it's outward forms and relations his error there is less than his error in reading the spirit and temper of the times, and what these mean in a modern democracy. Error here is, to be sure. more excusa ble. For genera tions politicians have been able to de- ceive the voters with prediction dec lamatiOns about the righteousness of the peoples cause and their own Durn- ing zeal to serve the same dear peo- pie. And it will take more than WhaS the Connecticut politician has yet heard, even in the returns of social ist gains, to teach him that the aWak- ening has already begun in this state
 ''As to one specific form Of political deceit l shall speak with reference to my own party-I mean. the repudia- ttOn Of platform pledges. always, be 1t remem bered, after the pledges have served their turn in deceiving a good ly number of trusting voters. The democratic platform promised ratifI- cation of the income tax amendment to the federal constitutions five out Of II democratic senators vote for it, and one of the four voting openly against it cites as his authority in so doing tho highest name that a member of his party could name. The democratic platform promised not merely the abO- ntion of the S5,000 limit Of damages for fatal injuries, but the abolition of any limit whatever. In a temporary paper issued as an appeal 10 voters quite special attention was called to the fact that democracy was opposed to S5,00O or any other arbitrary sum Tv, civ f7 senators voted to fix the limit at S10,- 900, and again the same high author ity was cited as saying that such ac- tion would satisfy the pledge of the democratic party.
 Age Has Changed.
 'tOther instances of the same sort of action might be cited from both par ties. Now what should be said among honest men? Here are definite meas ureS, which in the nature of the case can be advanced only in the general assembly. A party platform makes un- qualified pledges Having expressed and other officers. higher and lower, reject the control of the platform pledge. To violate promise is always dishonest. To do. so in some rela- criminal. It is any more creditabIe to get honors under false pretenses than to get goods in the same way? ?''
 Professor Fisher concIuded:
 But the age has changed. It has 8 more human and democratic spirit and a vastly greater popular intelligence and power. These are sure to effect transformations in industry and in government. The new movements are not yet as strong in Connecticut as in some other regions. but they are grow ing. Unless the present political man agers of both parties wake up and assent to the new and just demands of the people, they are very near the end of. their control New men will be the leaders in a new politics of higher quality and nob1er purposes