New Britain herald., 1928-09-15
DEMOCRATIC HANDlCAPS
 IN CONNECTICUT

The Democratic party in COnnec- ticut has been suffering 8 severe handicap since the days of w. J. Bryan. In no other eastern state did the vagaries of the so-called great Commoner produce a more deyas- tating effect. Except for the election of Simeon E. Baldwin to the govern. orship in 1911 and the Wilson period in national politics, Connecticut was about like it is now, the Republican machine primed with confidence, arrogant with power and usually winner at the elections.
 From 1884 to 1892 inclusive, many influential Connecticut citizens joined the Democratic ranks. Many of these had bolted Blaine and supported Grover Cleveland. Judge Baldwin was one of these and was typical of lHt DOlltTS to tHc DGIiIoCIdtS par They supported Cleveland in all of his campaign. In the 90's. when Bryan's silver theories took possess sion of the Democratic party the eclipse started.
 Bryan was particular flop in Connecticut because of his handling of the Bennett will case in New Haven, where if anything he show ed himself to be a remarkably in- competent lawyer. Some of the erst. while distinguished bolters>bolted back to the Republican party after that, although Judge Baldwin was not one of them. Homer s. Cummins. however, was hot for silver and Bryan in those days.
 The Democratic party in the state is also hogtied in state matters by the clauses i'll the Connecticut Con- stitution which give the small towns q disproportionate representation in the Legislature. The Democrats in Connecticut, as in most other states, are stronger in the cities than in the country. But no matter how strong they may be or may get in the cities, they are submerged in the Legisla- ture. Even if the Democrats in the state should happen to roll up a large popular majority it is likely that they would be unable to control the Legislature, certainly not If the majority represented an exclusive Democratic vote in the cities.
 The result is that the state is de- nied the balancing advantage of 8 strong minority party in the Lcgis- lature. All political economists agree that a strong minority in any legis- lative body is beneficial to the public welfare. It is so in Massachusetts and even in Rhode Island. And if the national Congress in Washington is to be an example. who can say that the Democratic minority there. plus the Republican insurgents or Progressives, have not forced the dominant party to exercise caution and watch it's step; in other words, have improved it's functioning?
 Another difficulty in Connecticut under the circumstances is that the party is denied the development of experienced politicians in state af- fairs. men who gained their knowledge by fighting their way up through the Legislature Under q system as happens to exist in Con- necticut such an outstanding public servant as Governor Smith of New York would have found it impos- sible to make his way to the top If he belonged to the Democratic party. A Republican legislature in per petuity, such as exists in Connecticut regardless of the number of Demo- crats in the cities, and the bosses or boss controlling it. puts and keeps only Republican oficials in the i'm.