The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-30
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1881
Keen-Edged Thrusts

Governor Cross may be ranked primarily as a scholar and professor. but in his orief career as a politician he has proved an apt pupil Of course. he gave good indication of being well versed in the fine arts ot seeking nomination and election to pubic office during his campaign of l93O. 50 able was he that he fooled even his oppo- nents. When so astute politician as J. Henry Roraback is led into the pitfall of be- littling his adversary there is much to be dis- covered. The citizens of Connecticut were not long in finding out the same facts as did the republican state chairman.
 , Viewing the governors forecast for l93Z and review of l93l we are tempted to conn pliment him on the direetness with which he approached the subject that many might have deliberately avoided. Incidentally the governors remarks were just ehoek full ot campaign fodder for the democratic party next fall. We like that reference to the fact that a difference of political faith of the General Assembly of the chief executive prompted much legislation that otherwise would have gone into the refuse pile. Like wise it prevented some legislation that the state sadly needed.
 Listen to this: T regret that no con Nructive step was taken to reform admitted abuses in reference to our minor courts. also regret that the General Assembly did not see fit to give the governor veto power so that he could have d real responsibility and a real power over legislation. am glad, however that steps were taken to do
 ,t. and that hitherto existed regarding the time m which the governor can sign bills. Oddly enough We discussed edltorially the proposed district court plan only this week. New York state eontemplates judicial council similar to Connectieut's. This body, as we'll as many others, was the prime force in the move to do away with our present minor courts and substitute for them the district court plan.
 It may be recalled that this proposal was defeated solely on the ground that it deprived the republican party of tremendous amount of patronage on which it relied for control of the state. This admission was made right in the Legislature. It isn't idle hear say or conjecture. We are glad to see that the governor recognizes the strategy of in- iceting it into an atmosphere that is clearly unsettled and full of forboding to republ- can hopes in l932 As to increased power for the governor that seems hopeless as long as republicans control both the legislative bodies. If they wouldn't widen the scope of the gubernatora office with one of their political faith in it. it is useless to hope they will do anything when a democrat rules
 A Connecticut governor in this age needs do very little actual work save affix his sig nature to documents and issue proclamations at the proper times of the year. To some the mere title is sufficient To others the lack of sufficient power to accomplish something worth while is irksome. We can we'll imagine that man of Governor Crosss type with so many and diverse ideas on management of state would suffer intensely from inaeton and no chance to prove his worth. We think that it is high time that the governorshp became more than figure head