The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-27

ical theories to be enacted into law, or attain public office in na- tion or state, without the sup port of strong organization. Neither the press, pulpit, plat form nor any other agency for the formation of public opinion can succeed without the assist ance of such an organization.
 ''The party organization bids for the support of the electorate by means of the promises contain ed in its platform. As agents to discharge the obligations incur red, in the event of party suc- cess, party candidates are named. The situation presents all the e1e- ments of a trust. The electorate mitted to the successful party for the benefit of the public, which trust IS to be discharged by such party through it's nominees.
 By his alliance with particu- lar party the voter indicates his recognition of that party as the best availa ble governmental agen- cy. By his acceptance of a par ty nomination the candidate as- sumes the duty of active work to advance the party welfare. His party platform is a guide as to the matters therein treated, usually including all that are considered important issues at the time of it's adoption.
 ''As to other, and essential matters, not issues of the cam paign, the official may safely conclude that he serves his party best who best serves the people, and bring to such matters the best thought of himself, and trusted party advisers. The Gov ernor's message offers a conven- party platform, but on general principles it is we'll to go slowly in raising new issues. which may injure rather than help.
 ''In making appointments to subordinate official positions the same principles should govern. To aid him in the discharge of the party pledges the elected officer should choose associates imbued with the same political ideas as himself; those who recognize in : the party the ideal political agency for serving the people, and who. therefore, bring to the per formance of their respective du- the party interest by making sue cessful the administration of the appointing power.
 "The Republican party, which vantage of a strong, cohesive or ganization, has always acted upon this principle, to which it owes much of it's success. This pol icy, also, assures to the party worker his fair reward. As the party of the special interests, it has further profited greatly by the contributions of the beneficiaries of tariffs, subsidies. monopolistic public utility franchises and oth- CT governmental favors. It thus offers to it's supporters the di- rect rewards of patronage with indirect ones still more important.
 f'The Democratic party, based
 
 rights for all and special privil- eges for none,' can offer no man an advantage above his neighbor as a result of political policies. A Democrat can improve his own condition through governmental agencies only by advancing the general welfare. He must be es- sentiaIIy an altruist, for to him in- might be employed to greater profit for selfish ends. It should be conceded at once that a sense of civic duty should cause the elector to vote for the general welfare regardless of personal ad- vantage; but, unfortunately, self interest seems to be the most po- tent influence that exists in shap- ing the actions of man.
 ''Thousands of electors habitu- ally omit to vote at all, the ma ority of them undoubtedly be- cause there is insufficient person. al inducement to do so. Were there no use of the mails, and the telephone to remind voters of their duty, and no conveyances provided to carry them to the polls, the percentage of non-vot- CTS would be strtkingly increas- ed. Every political worker rec ognizes the difficulty of ''getting out the vote"
 ''Even if all electors perform ed their full duty as far as con scientious consideration of the re- spective party platforms and can didates is concerned, and cast their ballots accordingly, there would still remain much work for someone to do in the way of party organization.