The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-10-23

United states required its division into five districts. equal in population. We secured obedience to this law. We found a highway department run as political machine, multpIytngs without system, roads lacking the proper qualities of endurance. We have made it q department Of public service directed by 8 competent civil engineer, acting on well adjusted plans and achieving satisfactory re- suits.
 we found Connecticut atill cltnging to the ancient theory that the owner of factory was only liable in case he was himself in fault for injuries to employees We abolished it and re- placed 1t by the workmenis compen- satton act.
 This state had no civil service law. which merit is now the test for ad- mission to all cIerkships and other minor offces to the public service.
 We found no general law in exist ence under which banks and trust companies cquid be ogeaprzed ana we secured the enactment or one, there- by doing away with one branch of special legislation.
 We advocated and secured the rat ification by this state of an amend ment to the constitution of the United States by which Senators of
 
 be elected by a direct vote of the people
 We secured the passage of a reso lution recommending to the favorable consideration of Congress another amen dment to the consultation finder which the votes of each state for President and vice-Presf6ent shall also be cast by the people directly instead of by the clumsy agency of presidential electors. l3fA We found that a practice had grown up at the capitol under Re publican administration by virtue of which retiring state officials carried away furniture that belonged to tho state and we put an end to that. We found the funds to the credit Of the various stats departments and insti- tutfons generally deposited in hanks 1y inadequate rates WAS paid. We put an end to that.
 The record of the Democratic Sem ate n carrying out the last Demo cratic platform by voting for direct I-prtmaries, the election of county com rntssioners by the, people, and the ap- potntment Of minor court judges by the governor, entities the Democratic party in this state to the support of all citizens who desire good government; and is in marked contrast Of the action of the Republican House of Repre- sentatfves in voting down the above reforms
 We now ask the people of this state as we render to them this account of our stewardsnap to advance us to full control of the executive and legislative departm ents. We again declare in fa- yor of that system of party nonina- tione known as the direct primary and nomination by petition and also the initiative and referendum; the princi- pie of home rIe for our cities, towns and boroughs; the election sof county commissioners by popular vote; the ap- pointment by the governor of all judges of minor courts; the, repeal of the personal tax law; and the abolish ment of the custom of granting public franchises without adequate compen- satton and prutecfton to the. public.
 We favor the short ballot, general laws which will do away with the nee oessity for special legislation, central purchasing agency for state institu- tions the fostering and encouragement