New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-22
Power Of Appointment
Might Well BE Shifted

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The favorable trend noted in the
discussion among members of the
charter revision committee about
the proposed charter change to es-
tablish two officer Of prosecuting at
torney. has paved the way for the
suggestion in certain circles that a
change be made in the method OF
appointing the incumbents. At pres
ent, the common council makes the
appointments and fixes the salaries
of the offices although In other cit
les in Connecticut and elsewhere.
the judges Of the courts in which
the prosecuting attorneys represent
the state are charged with the pow
err OF filling the positions.
1t has been brought out. accord
ing to information reaching the OBJ
server during the past week. that
there Is considerable sentiment
among well-informed citizens In fav-
or of taking out of the common
council this important duty, princi-
pally on the ground that the fewer
persons having a voice in the ap-
pointments the greater would be the
degree Of independence with which
the officials could 60 about their du-
ties. The average council member
in New Britain or any other city In
all probability knows little or MOTH
ing about the requirements of Of
fees directly concerned with the
practice Of law and 1t IL not diff
cult to conceive OF the possibility of
the exercise OF the human frailties
to the extent, for instance. Of de-
veloping a dislike for an official be-
cause he objected or refused out
right to play politics.
Prosecuting attorneys. probably
more than any other class Of public
officials, are besought for favors.
some of which are net only unreal
sonable but impossible to grant. Of
flee holders who have the appoint
ment OF a few minor places an
nually or by other arrangement.
usually consider themselves poster
ed beyond reason by applicants and
their friends, but at least they have
respite after the periodical rush
is over whereas the prosecuting at
torneys hardly pass a day without
being called on to accede or refuse
some sTequest Or other, and they
generally offend someone, whatever
the stand they take.
To give the power Of appoint
ment to the Judges OF the court
would be step forward. it seems,
and by no stretch of the imagination
does it seem possible to conceive Of
any harm that might come of it.
Certainly the judges are in posi-
ton to estimate the qualifications Of
the candidates and weigh the capa--
bilities of incumbents, and from the
viewpoint of the dignity that is sup
posed to enshroud the acts OF the
components of the judicial system.
there Is no argument in favor of the
present system.
1t has also been suggested that
appointment of prosecuting attor-
neys by the states attorney would
be a vast Improvement over the
present system. and it seems, on the
surface at least. that it'would be an
ideal arrangement, As matter OF
fact. prosecuting attorneys arc en-
gagged in the same duty as is the
states attorney. They are concern
cd with the prosecution Of criminal
cases. the difference in their respon-
sibilities being for the most part the
margin by which tho seriousness of
alleged ;offenses coming before po-
lice court is distinguished from that
Of the crimes with which the su-
pcrior court is concerned.