The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-17
Judge Mathewsotl Roasts The ''Ring" Prominent New Haven Republi- can Refuses To Support
 Taft
SAYS LOBBYISTS RUN
 PARTY IN CONNECTICUT
Accuses Roraback, Republican State Central Chairman, of
 Vicious Practices

Judge A. McC. Mathewson of New Haven came out yesterday in a long l statement saying that he will vote for l Woodrow Wilson next November, l though Republican hitherto. He does l so, he says, because the party needs l a housekeeping and is boss-ridden 1 and lobby-ridden.
 Judge Mathewson charges J. Henry I Roraback, chairman of the Republican State Central committee with Selling ! legislation' and when necessary call7 l ing upon Robert O. Eaton and Fred erick L. Gaylord for the votes which l they could control, and Jacob w. Walter with his immense power over liquor and contracting interests The statement, in full, follows: "The national Republican conven- ton was called to nominate candi- date for president and it was expect ed that they would nominate a man who represented the principles Of the party and who. had the confidence of the electors.
 President Taft as man. he has fail- ed as an executive. Two years ago the people indicated their disapproval by changing strong Republican House into an equally strong Demo cratic House, and reducing the Repub- 1iean majority in the Senate, and he has not been successful since that time in changing che current. Fortu- nately, this year. we have had many primaries, not only in the West but in the East, and the result of these primaries cannot be explained away. Notwithstanding the vast power of the federal administration working in President Taft's behalf, only one of the state primaries declared in his favor The work which was done by
 national officials was seen right here at home in the activity of Robert o. Eaton, internal revenue collector, and
 Frederick L. Gaylord, postmaster of Ansonia; but when criticism was of fered. advices came from Washington that Eaton was sustained by President Taft.
 sIn 17 of the Republican states in which primaries were held 479 dele gates were elected to the national con vention, and out of these President Taft received only 75 votes for his
 nomination; and out of those 75, six were from his native state of Ohio, where he was overwhelmingly defeat ed: two were from California, cast in violation of the state. law, where he
 suffered worse defeat, and two were cast by alternates from the state of Massachusetts while the regular dele gates were sitting in the convention and refused to votef These three cases were possibly the most fragrant,
 but President Taft's q majority was
 
 not honorably claim, although he might legally. 1
 1t is a well known fact that his
 nomination was not desired by many of the delegates who voted for him (even by delegates from Connecticut), trol of party machinery than the good of the country Or the party. President Taft's nomination was forced upon the party by the self-seeking politicians at the dictation of corrupting ana pre- datory interests. On the contrary, Woodrow wilson was nominated in .response to the demands of the peo- ule and because the corruptlng lnter- ests did not care to do otherwise
 "In Connecticut we have not only
 the national but state issues; anu .a
 regret to say that the conditions In this state absolutely demand 2 thorough overhauling. Personaiiy,s have always been faithful believer in organization, but believe We nave men enough in this state who are willing to devote sufficient time and energy to the good of the two parties,
 so that it is not necessary to turn the nlanagement over to the profes- sional lobbyist, who has no interest | in the party except to make It self
 serving to his selfish purposes ana purposes of his clients.
 "It was bad enough to have J. Henry Roraback, Gan ex-postmaster and q private citizen,) holding up leg islatior1, and as king of the lobby selling it at such a figure as he could
 demand, and when necessary caIling
 upon Robert o. Eaton and Frederick l.. Gaylord for the votes which they could control, and Jacob w. Walter with his immense power over liquor
 and contracting interests, and their
 lieutenant Charles w Comstock for fhe Democratic strength which he
 Ia aAI{ na . Democratic state central committee.
 sIt was bad enough to have Rora- back as a private citizen yielding this pernicfous and disgraceful power over legislation, but now the Republican party has disgraced itself by placing
 him at the head of the machine, and with Conastock at the head of the other machine, it is hard to see how the people can expect much bene- ficial legislation. Of course, 1t Is still to be hoped that the Democrats at their next state convention will put man in charge who has the interests of the people at heart.
 ''The fight must, be made in this state to purify our Legislation, and it is certainly a disgrace to see such in the positions of trust and respon- sibility which they now occupy. Of course, they are intrenched and pow erful, but the people still have the power if they will exert it.
 ssWhen we come down to the final analysis! it is the rotten borough sys- tenn of our state that offers the opA portunity for these men to succeed.
 "The lobby practically care nothing for who is elected to the state offices so long as they can control the legis- lation, and when more than half the l members of the house have 25,000 l less population than the city of New Haven with it's two members, we can see the power of these men who are people. An even more striking com parison is the fact that more than half the members of the house repre- sent towns which in 1910 paid only ! one-half the taxes that was paid by | the city of New Haven with it's two | members It is no wonder under these | circumstances that Robert 0. Eaton | is the dear friend of J. Henry Rora- 1 back, SO long as he can control and | deliver a specified number of votes l in the house and one or two senators. |
 1.-TWO years ago a most libelous | article was spread broadcast regard ing the United States commissioner of | internal revenue, and, while threats | of suit were made, no suit was ever | brought to compel the author to | prove the truth or falsitys of the | statement-and President Taft still | retains Robert O. Eaton in this pow l erful, important office.
 FOUR JOY RIDERS HURT.