Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-09
THE TOWN TRAVELLER.

THE TOWN TRAVELLER. Some Things He Has Heard and Seen During the Week.
 | MAY THE BEST MAN WIN.
 The word has been given and the race l for the local postmastership is well under way. In the distance it is almost impossible to tell who the leaders are and the spectators can only watch and 1 wait until the quarter pole is reached. Postmaster Commerford is quiet spec l tator and seems not to care a continen- tai who gets there.
 That the handsome and popular Colo mel J. B. Doherty is among the leaders cannot be doubted. His friends are working quietly but with wonderful success. it is said, and hope to see their favorite come down the homestretch with flying colors The colonel is an ardent republican but, has many demo- cratic friends F. B. Field, the South Main street hardware merchant, can also be seen among the leaders in the distance by the aid of a field glass. He is an uncompromising republican one I think who does'nt take much stock in civil service reform. He has many in fiuential admirers and if he really wants to win the race his chances are not bad. There are others in the swim whose colors cannot be distinguished in the distance. 1 have been told that the doughty little Postmaster Commerford stands chance of being retained in office but anyone who has studied the country's political history knows this can never be. And then you know Mir Commerford has declared that he would not hold office, under republican aG- ministration. His term of office will l nt fD.- y-Df a. thing unexpected occurs, but many un- expected things will come to pass this year.
 CAUSE OF JUDGE COWELLS DEFEAT. Why the republican county caucus went back on Judge Cowell and nomi- mated John NJ. Sweeney for the judge ship of the criminal side of the Water bury district court is thus explained Some time ago Judge Cowell in his cap acity of assistant judge of the police court acquitted saloon keeper who was charged with violation of the Sun day liquor law. Prosecuting Agent Col ley thought he had a good case and brought the matter to the attention of the county commissioners and asked for the repeal of the dealers license. Judge Cowen appeared before the commission CTS in the interest of the dispenser of liquors. but in. spite of his objections the license was revoked. This so angered the judge that he opened his mind freely to the commissioners. They in turn be- came angry and when Judge Cowell be- came a candidate for the district court judgeship used all their influence against him and the result was his defeat.
 UNSAFE BUILDINGS.
 Apropos of the recent hotel disaster in Hartford building ordinances are being ) enacted in number of cities in the state providing for the appointment of an in- } spector of buildings. Waterbury, l am 1. pleased to say is in no immediate danger on account of it's buildings. All of the ], new structures that have been erected ; here will stand for ages, and most of the older ones although unsightly, are safe. The McMahon & Wren block on South Main street, which was formerly occu- pied by the DEMOCRAT, is not generally regarded as dangerous, yet 1t Is fact that Ed Flannery. who used to hold a lease of the building and who kept sa- loon in the basement refused to allow a blg press to be set up in the third story and his reasons were not political ones either. The building in former years was one story blacksmith shop, but South Main street the walls were raised.
 
 is safe.
 HONEST BUT UNFORTUNATE. Tramps generally are an ungrateful and deceitful set not deserving of chari- ty. but 1 met one yesterday who was as different from the common herd as chalk is from cheese. Perhaps 1 should not call him a tramp, for he bore an air of responsibility and honesty that could not have been artificial. He was an old man neatly dressed and we'll educated. He said he lived in Bridgeport where his oldest son is well known Western Union operator. Times being dull this winter he was thrown out of employ ment and for a week had been on the road looking for something to do. When he reached Waterbury his last cent was goae. IquestIoned him closely, for all trampS can tell well connected story, but his honesty could not be questioned. The aroma of forty-rod whiskey peculiar to tramps was absent and the mans $ handsome full beard was as carefully combed as a senator's. It Is no ledit to Bridgeport to allow a man such as he appeared to be to take to the road.
 wHIsKEY DRINKING BOYS.
 The stories told by several of the boys who were before the court for incorri- gibility during the past week are shock ing. Although young in years they are old in iniquity, and what is especially to be deplored they seem to glory in their notoriety and give no promise of reform. The little fellows hang around dance halls late at night and beg and steal liquor and cigarettes. A few months ago one of their number was picked up on the street dying from a fit brought on, SO the police tell me, by indulgence in liqlor. He never recovered conscious ness. The companions who were with him on the night in question were all drunk but managed to reach home leav- ing their unfortunate companion lying in the gutter in the throes of convul- sions. None of the boys were over 13 } years of age.
 COURT ROOM SITTERS.
 It is an interesting study to sit in the police court every morning and watch