The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-04

EACcl1CIlCy ouSASoo "SsS @SS MT. President, Mir. Speaker, and
 Members of the General Assem-
 ply:
 Three hundred years ago repre- sentatives from Windsor, Wethers- field and Hartford met in this part of Connecticut and in the candle lit twilight of a midwinter after noon completed the Fundamental Orders. Thus they founded a Re public upon written constitution, the first in America, and fixed for all time the principle that the people were, and by Divine Right ought to be, the source of all power and authority in government. That is democracy indeed. Knowing that happiness lies in freedom ana that freedom is best preserved i'll democracy, other towns joined the Connecticut Republic and 1t grew. Throughout the years since that time people have come over the sea, seeking and finding that ideal of free institutions which the original settlers desired and con- ceived. Today, ill a world of doubt and fear, the people of Connect- cut hold fast to our Republic and cherish our rich traditions of free dom. To us, for time, they have entrusted them for safekeeplng and further fulfillment. In an age of despotism across the sea 1t IS for us to prove that in America and in Connecticut, democracy still fulfills the ideals of those who have struggled for it through out long years. Let us here resolve that no lust for personal gain or political power shall keep us from serving the welfare of all the peo- pie. In the same spirit with those who first established this re- public and with those who have served it faithfully down the years, let us, each one, take up the work there is to do in the days that lie just ahead.
 A Challenge!
 Tn the face of world wide chal- lenge to democracy we beleive that free government can best be pre- served by separation of its three great functions and a recognition that such a separation preserves that balance which is essential to individual freedom. You are the members of the legislative branch of. the government. While your functions are different they are equally as important as those of the executive or judicial depart ments. While we must work to- gether, you can expect that the Governor will recognize and re- spect your separate function and power and that he will not treSpass upon them. On the other hand, the Governor will expect that you will in turn recognize his separate function and power and that you will not deliberately trespass upon them. It is the duty of the Execu- tive Department of the govern ment not only to administer the laws of the state but to lay before the General Assembly problems which require legislation for their solution It is his duty to make recommendations for legislation generally and to advise you as to his opinion concerning the form which it shall take. The accept ance or rejection of his recom- mendation or the amendment to it is your function and, being your function alone, is likewise your re- sponsibility. Differences of opinion are bound to arise. In Connecti- cut and in America each man and woman is entitled to entertain and express an opinion, openly, freely and independently. The floor of the General Assembly Is the place for open, frank and public debate, involving not only issues among yourselves as members of the legis- lative branch of the government, but differences perhaps with the executive department as well. If we all seek to serve the public good as we, before Almighty God, have sworn to do, then our differ ences of opinion can involve no question of private ambition or personal gain and can only be concerned with how best to meet the public need and solve the pub lie problem.
 Story of State
 The story of Connecticut is & story of constant change. Those who lived here before us were for the most part farmers. With the westward expansion of our coun- try many migrated to fields where stones were fewer and smaller and the hills were not so steep. With expanding production and the ad- vent of the machine age, Connecti- cut turned to manufacturing and now we are not only an agricul- tural but also an industrial state. We have within our borders, the most intelligent, the most skilled workmen in America. Connecticut Yankee ingenuity is a household word. For the past few years in company with her sister states in the Federal Union Connecticut has suffered from an economic depres- sion. The most pressing problem has been and still is, unemploy- ment.-jobs for those who are will ing and can do good work. The theory has been announced that we can expect the day when the government sees to it that one third of the population which is, at present, insufficiently clothed and fed, shall have a decent stand ard of living. Connecticut has been through depressions but its citizens have never before and are unwilling now to accept the doc urine that one-third of our people must become permanently wards of the government. This theory is contrary to Connecticut thrift and ambition. In time of economic stress it is the duty of government