The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-18

tiona1 system, of allowing officers to judge for themselves how far they will observe the merit system, absurd as it is, has given the system a fight ing change, and if it can make good under such handicaps the argument in its favor will be all the stronger. The history of the year shows con- v1ncing1y that there is no lack of in terest in the merit system in Connecti- cut. technical as many of it's details are.
 Tt now seems clear, therefore, that the whole humiliating performance is the work of a small group of people, not members of the legislature and r ot elected officers of the state, who lave succeeded by those political means which are but too familiar in imposing their will upon the 1egisla- ture. Working under the comp1acent mask of political orthodoxy they have opened the way to partisanship in public office, but there is no gem eral movement away from the merit system, and we must not forget the credit due to those public-spirited of- fcials who, in spite of the disadvan- tageous situation, are still applying business methods to the public busi- ness.
 It is a relief to turn from the pet tiness which has characterized the Connecticut group of political manag- CTS to some of the really big men Of the party to, which they profess al- 1egiance.N William H. Taft placed himself on record in the letter which he wrote to the president of this as- sociation last spring, Elihu Root expressed his views in the noble ad- dress which he delivered in the Con- stitutiona1 Convention of New York last August, when he said: It is ali wrong that a government not author ized by the people should be continued superior to the government that is authorized by the people How is it done? It is done by, the use of pa tronage.'" |"
 The report refers to the fact that while the state has taken a backward step some of it's cities are moving forward. New Britain, under the leadership of Mayor Quigley, has drafted a civil service amendment to it's charter, taking the New Haven law as it's model. The borough of Milford under an act passed by the legislature of 1915 has introduced the merit system into it's police force as is also the case with regard to South Norwalk. While the city of New. Haven, which is the pioneer civil ser vice city of the state is faithful to the principle of the merit system.
 Treasurer's Report
 The report Of the treasurer C1aF- ence w Bronson showed the receipts for the year to be $1,763.76 and the expenditures the same sum less $184.93 in bank.
 The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
 Officers Elected
 Honorary president, William H. Taft; president, Prof. Henry W. Far nam; vice presidents. William A. Ack- en, Norwich; John R, Elton. Water bury; William F. Henney, Hartford; John H.. Perry, Southport; Rollin S. woodruff, New Haven; treasurer, Clarence W. Bronson; secretary. frederick H. Wiggin; assistant sec- retary, Abner w. Mitchell, Bridge port; executive committee. the pres ident. treasurer. and secretaries, ex- officio, George J. Bassett, Charles M. Beach. New Milford; Edward T. Brad street, .Meriden: William H. Corbin, Hartford; George A. Driggs, Water bury; Arthur R. Kimba1I, Waterbury; Fred J. Kingsbury, Allen B. Lincoln, Arthur M. Marsh, Bridgeport; Col. Norris G. Osborn. George S. Palmer. New London; William T. Rodenbach, Samuel Russell. Jr.. Ho- race D. Taft, Watertown; Henry A TorreI, Norwich; William R. Web ster, Bridgeport, and G. C. G. W1i-' Hams Hartford.