The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-07
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1881
A New Regime Begins

L. Gross, governor of Connecticut. delivered before the general assembly this afternoon in Hartford. The occasion marked the naugur- ation of the first democratic governor since the late Simeon E. Baldwin served two terms. It likewise marked the start of an adminls- tration in which all branches of the state government are controlled by the republican party as well as every office save the governor ship. In his message to the legislature Gov ernor Cross recognized this fact but remarked that it indicated partnership rather than partisanship.
 This state has had many learned and wise men as its chief executives. It has chosen men from every walk of life. from all the professions. This time it has picked retired college professor. For campaign purposes he was oft referred to by his opponents as the dear old gentleman from Yale Governor Cross is not going to experiment with the Connecticut government. He does not expect to make this state model workshop in which he can test all the political and economic dreams and schemes that years of study and teaching have suggested to him. Our new fact and experience. We infer this from his pertinent suggestions and plans for the next two years.
 Those who had expected Governor Gross to cast aside the republican pay-as-you-go system will be disappointed. In this respect he speaks with firmness as follows: 'As
 general principle l am opposed to the cre- ation of permanent debt except in cases of treat emergency. There is. think. fallacy involved in the position generally taken by states and municipalities that so-called capital outlaws should be financed by bond issues. The argument for this policy appears to me eo rest upon d false analogy drawn from private business . A private business con- cern always aims to keep solvent. The situation is quite different in the business of government.
 However Governor Cross does not take an unshaken stand against the state borrowing for extraordinary purposes. It is bis intention. to use the huge accumulated surplus of this state for capital expenditures If the consent of the legislature IS forthcoming And that it should be is unquestoned after one has scanned the building program the new governor suggests It is in reality nothing more nor less than has been proposed for some years now and which republican legis- lators have continually postponed. If it re- mains for Governor Cross to start these many projects he will have accomplished wonders We notice that the Merritt Boulevard for Fairfield county is among the proposed roads In sponsoring this Governor Cross stands behind the democratic state platform.
 It pleased us to read that Governor Cross would open the armories of this state to house and feed unfortunates in extreme cases of ne cessty. We proposed this when the Water bury unemployment committee first started functionng. We also feel called upon to refer to that paragraph where Governor Cross rec ognizes the aid this city and New Haven IS giving the state in providing temporary wait ing stations for tubercular patients seeking ad mission to the state sanatoria. Such recogni- ton by the tsate might ultimately mean Waterbury could transfer its interest in the isolation hospital to the state entirely. It is a matter which might interest city fathers.
 Naturally Governor Cross was expected to speak at some length on the prohibition ques- ton. His stand remains the same He believes ultimately the 9th amendment must be re- pealed. true believer in temperance he cannot approve of the present legislative methods of securing it. His words indicate 1,o ( vention such as has never been employed but for which our Constitution provides The thought of Constitutional Convention has the tendency to bring one up short. We pro- ceed cautiously in its direction. We view it
 with the same apprehension as the old age pension. Both must be studied thoroughly before being put into operation. We must check and recheck.
 We could discuss the governor S address for hours. It contains much meat for consump- ton. There IS his idea on minor court appointments and the creation of the district court system to replace these minor courts and justices of the peace. But to attempt to do that in one reading would be too much Suffice 1t to say we are proud ot the start that Governor Cross has made His in augural address convinces us that Connecu- cut will receive most busnesslike and schol- arly administration. if you can reconcile the two. Governor Cross does not fear his posi- ton. one lone democrat among many repub- licans He looks for their earnest cooperation in the interest of good government. We feel sure he will get it. But if he doesn't we aren't one bit worried about how he will go about establishing order in the classroom.