The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-11
Politics in
 Passing
BY RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK

BY RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK Kicked quietly out the window as The House opened its 1941 session WedneSday at Hartford was the mo- dual fob rule which caused so much Wrangling and for a time threat ened Gov. Baldwin,s leadership two years ago. Taking advantage of the fact that the Democratic controlled Senate would not agree to joint rules for the two chambers, the Re- publican leaders in the House deftly had that body agree to adopt its 1887 rules. In 1887, as is the case this year, separate rules for each house were in effect, with no pro- vision made Gin those dim, dark days) for any ban against dual Jobholding.
 The cIamOr for prohibition against any member of the legiS- Iature receiving a patronage plum grew so loud that the house was finally forced to adopt rule to that effect. The senate, which the Republicans also bOsSed two years ago, adopted a resolution to the same end, but on closing day the resolution was reScinded.
 The houses adoption of the old rules making no mention of dual jobs doesn't take the legislature out of the woods by any means. since the same question is pending this year in the form of a proposed amendment to the state constitu- tion. But the 1887 rules will help relieve the pressure and allow some Of the apopleXy that develop ed in 1889 a chance to diSsipate.
 Very interesting to Capitol ob- servers was the election of Hugh M. AIcOrn, Jr., as speaker of the house, an honor held two years ago by Walter Howe of Litchfield. Those who know what was com ing had an interesting few mo- rnents watching Mir. AlcOrn. seat cd on the dais, as Gov. Hurley, practically at bis elbow, declared i'll his inaugural address that states attorneys should be for bidden to practice law privately or to engage in politics. Such a ban would effect not only NIT. AIcorn, Jr., but MT. AlcOrn. Sr., since they are, respectively, as sistant states attorney and states attorney for Hartford county.
 The proposal to bar states attor- neyS from politics and from prac- ticing law privately has been talked about for years. It is only natural that jury. hearing a civil case in which a lawyer who is also states attorney represents one of the par ties, should lear to his side. The prestige of a states attorney is often a factor in many cases in which the states attorney is act ing cnly as another member of the bar. Naturally, the proposed ban would mean a lower income for states attorneys, but this fact has been taken into consideration and the bill that will be introduced with MT. Hurley'S approval will provide for Ealary increases believed large enough to make up for the loss of fees.
 Times seem to change more rap idly in politics than any ether field. It was less than two years ago that bill by Rep. Hugo Qua staferri of Waterbury, which would have removed states attOr- neys from private practice, was booted out so summarily that Hugo didn't have a chance to catch his breath. The fOOtpOw- CT, incidentally, came from the Judiciary committee, of which 3 gentleman named Hugh AlcOrn, ST, happened to be chairman.
 This year, however, it will call for a bit of finesse to kill the states att torney bill Not only is Gov. Hurley behind it, but many lawyers and judges also support it. In fact, a leading advocate of the proposal is Judge Patrick B. O'Sullivan of the superior court, who only few months ago cogently summarized the Ehole argument in a speech before a group of lawyers.
 sA
 @ One thing very noticeable at The Capitol Wednesday was dis sent on the part of Republican old timers in the house with the A'liberar, program announced by legislative chairman Carl Lund- gren with, presumably, the bles- Sing of State Chairman J. Ken meth Bradley. In the chamber and in the corridors the richards were muttering threats that they sswouldn't go for this stuff, such as a State Labor Relations Act. Nor should it be long, if the nor anal time span is allotted, before the lobbyists get their oars in and the Old-liners start complaining about any attempt at stricter reg ulatiOn of public utilities or other such radical legislation.
 {. The buSinesslike way (deSpite the minor omissions in which the 1941 session got underway leads to a hope that the assembly may this year, in the face of a national and International emergency, forget it's usual two-for-a-p penny partisanship and adopt complete program of constructive and forward legisla- tion. Frankly, judging from past experience, it's a lot to hope for, but stranger things have happened, maybe.
 Gov. Hurley, in his inaugural address, showed once again the almost ideal mixture of dignity, gentlemanliness and yet determin- ati0n that have served to mark him since he first entered public life only handful of years ago. It was sound, progressive speech of which he and the peO- pie who voted for him and the people who voted against him