The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-15

 cessfully operated, or where the first commercial telephone was installed, or the first commercial flying machine was successfully flown?
 When the first flying machine made the first commercial Suc- cess, it was as certain asN any thing in human affairs could be that these instrumentalities of progress would in no very great civilized world. They have been with us these many years. the flying machine last and growing rapidly.
 Who knows the site of the first republic, Greek or other wise? Who remembers the date when the first French republic was inaugurated? And the latest? Americans remember the begin nings of their own republic.
 It was certain when the first republic demonstrated itself a success that the republican form would become the dominant form of government
 
 That is to say. that republics and telephones. trolley cars and flying machines are human in struments, which obey the same law. Republics are as popular as telephones, as widely distri- buted as trolley cars. as success ful a flying machines.
 It does make a difference what the machinery is- Telephones, trolley cars and airships furnish something valuable and aspiring that would not be derived from the instrumentalities which pre- ceded them.
 Neither can a despotisIn pro- vide citizenship with the same advantages that a. republic can. Republics are machines which are improved sometimes just as the telephone and the flying ma fro, T, She beginning the American re- gub1ic tolerated chattel slavery. eequired a property qualification for voting. did not permit lomen to vote.
 
 Some years ago Bridgeport difficult form of government than 1t has now. There were just as many commissions and the city government consisted of two bodies. It was almost inpossi- ble to get anything done. No body was responsible for what was done.
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 This machinery has been a lit tie improved. Great improve ments have taken place in other American cities.
 
 The commission government ~4 &3k is a type, made a lonesome ap- pearance few years ago in one small town, just as the trolley car did. It made a success just as the trolley car did. Now the commission form in one type or another has been adopted in two hundred and siXty-one American cities. It is a modern improve ment which is being adopted everywhere as fast as the people learn about it.
 For these reasons it is to hoped that nobody in Bridgeport will say What difference does it make what the form of govern ment is?" It makes all the diff ference in the world. just as it does when you want the doctor who lives five miles away, whether you have g. telephone or have to walk there.
 
 Petitions are being circulated - in which Mayor Atwater is asked to inquire of the people if they want a modern government for Bridgeport. Sign these peti- tions. In signing you will show that you believe Bridgeport is entitled to modern improvements in government
 This excellent program is en- listing the attention of hundreds of men and women of all parties who are interested in making Bridgeport the best city to live in. If anybody says that the charter of our forefathers is good enough for us. the answer is. Amy old thing goes in China, but Americans insist upon char ters and automobiles which em- body the best that American genius has produce,s." lAS