The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-05
Dictatorship Ends! Citizens Good Government Party Issues Appeal Following Conviction of City Officials - Seeks Support of Voters For Cooperation In Setup

The resignation of Mayor Hayes and other convicted city officials, (tendered shortly after this Associa- tion's letter to the Governor sug- gesting special session of the Gen. eral Assembly to effect their re- moval, brings to an end period of dictatorship in Waterbury which was made possible by the present strong mayor charter.
 At this time it is proper for all citizens to pause a minute to reflect upon a number of points.
 First: There should be no perse- cution of any of the conspiracy trial defendants. They are no longer pulp lie officials. They have no power to disturb the general welfare of the community. The orderly processes of law and justice will deal with them hereafter; their fate is in the hands of the judiciary. And everyone with a heart cannot help but sympathize with the families of these people, about whom there can be no ques- tion of wrong doing
 Public Support
 Second: the newly designtaed Mayor and other officials are now duly constituted officers of the City of Waterbury until January first and, as such, they are entitled to support of the public-regardless of political party affiliations-unless and until such officials prove them selves unworthy of such support There may be some undercurrent feeling that one or more of such of- ficials are purely political appoint ees, commissioned for the main pur- pose of strengthening some political machine or machines. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the pres ent strong mayor charter is still the fundamental law of the city, and the appointments were made under provisions of that charter.
 Third: Nearly every Waterburian knows that Waterbury needs change" It is to this third point that we should address our careful and impartial consideration; con- siaeration not tempered with malice, partisanship or personal feelings, but consideration based on logic and reasoning.
 The Citizens Good Government Association takes no stock in the cry raised by some people that "al! we have to do is elect the right of- ficials, and the form of chartei doesn't matter" This Association is firmly convinced that Waterbury needs change in the form of gov- ernment itself. A mere change of elective officials. or mere switch from one political party to another political party, cannot result in any permanent improvement in condi- tions. We have tried that remedy many times in the past, and we have gone from bad to worse.
 Present Charter
 The present charter of Waterbury, which will continue in effect if the city manager charter is rejected on October third, makes 1t easy for politicians to control the city gov- ernment. Under this charter the politicians pick states of candidates every two years. and the voters are compelled to vote for candidates they had no voice in nominating. Under this system the candidates are chosen primarily for their vote getting ability and not for their ability and qualifications to govern the affairs of the city. Under this system the candidates are compelled to play politics to obtain the nomi- nation and win the election: and those who are elected are compelled to appoint subordinates named by the politicians and who will be of the greatest help in maintaining the political machine for the next election. Regardless of how sincere and honest these officials may be, they have two strikes against them before they even take office, because their hands are tied by politics. May or Hayes himself was, initially, a victim of this vicious system; and the Waterbury Charter Commission in 1929 reported that similar condi- tions prevailed before the advent of the Hayes Administration.
 The woods are full of potential candidates who hope that the city manager charter will be rejected Look around you wherever you please, and you will find someone who is trying to wangle himself into