Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-04
A GATHERING OF CHIEFS.

Sixty Prominent Republicans Ran-
 quet at Savfn Rock-Mr. Austin
 Brafnard Defines Bulkeleyss Posi-
 ton and Attorney Case Supports the
 Republican Candfdates-Honors to
 James ID. DeweIl, Chairman ef the
 Republican League Club.
 : The president of the Republican League club was ffty-four years old yesterday. The 6casion was httingly celebrated by the members of the club, who rendered 6 banquet to their honored chief at Savin Rock, which was attended by large num- Der of prominent republicans from New Haven, Hartford and Meriden. James D. Dewell, in whose honor the banquet was given, acted as chairman of the even ing, and A long list of after-dinner speeches followed the menu, which was served in the usual frst-elass style of Hills Homestead. The affair was social rather than political, though several speeches were made of significant political nature. Great enthusiasm prevailed throughoutth the meeting, and 1t was the universal opinion that the republicans in this state, ,ss strong and united as they are at present, cannot help but win in the coming national cleo ton.
 At 2 o'clock p. m. the gentlemen in- vited, to the number of sixty, sat down to the discussion of the banquet. Over an hour was spent at the table in dining and social converse, and it was not till nearly S:30 that Chairman Dewell called the meeting to order. The following list of toasts was felicitously responded to by the Thomas R. Trowbridge; Customs" Col lector A. H. KellAm; ''City of New Ha- ven,n Commissioner w. J. Atwater: ''The Gubernatorisl Controversy" Senator William 0. Case; "Civil Rights, n ex- Minis ter E. D. Bsssett; Generalization" Chair man Herbert E. Benton of the Republican state committee; Commerce of New Ha- ven," George B. Martin; ''The republican Situation" Austin Brainsrd; ''The City of Orange" Senator Graham; ''The Towns of Connecticut" Postmaster N D. Sperry; ''My Birthday" James D. Dewell
 All of the speeches were bright and humorous, and many of the personal hits won great applause.
 Mir. Cases address was nasterly argu- ment in favor of the republican position in the gubernatorial controversy. He proved conclusively the titles of all the present re- publican claimants to the offices still va- cant, and heartily commended the firm and consistent attitude of Governor Morgan G. Bulkeley throughout the whole of the crisis. MT. Cases remarks were fire quently interrupted by cheers and at the close he was given a rousing three times three. Chairman Benton on the subject of consolidation was in his hap piest vein. He favored the addition of West Haven and other outlying suburbs to the city, beliey Ing such change would be for rba adu nf oil Mir. Benton's address, however, did not stop here, but touched as many topics of public interest. Senator Graham of Orange apparently disagreed with the senti- ment of the chairman of the state committee He said that Orange was not ready yet to be cut in two, but that if they would wait awhile the imports of West Haven were increasing so fast that she would annex New Haven by and by.
 When Mir. Austin Brainard. executive secretary of Governor Morgan G. Bulkeley, rose to speak, the republicans present went wild with enthusiasm. Hats and canes were thrown into the air, the and joined in one prolonged shout for Mir Brainard He was introduced by Chair man Barton, in stentorian tones, as the man who had been most forward in work ing to obtain the republican supremacy of affairs, and than whom none had been more untiring or jealous in the effort to seat the venerable Lieutenant Governor Merwin in the gubernatoriai chair.
 MT. Rrainsrd is slight, quiet appearing man of perhaps thirty-ive summers. He speaks in a low, even voice, yet betrsying at times sn unwonted earnestness of man ner. He said in part: '1 am very glad to be here tonight. There is little left to be said after MT. Benton's resume of the situ- ation. I want to say one thing, however. My chief, Governor Bulkeley, deserves all honor for the manner in which he has held out for so long against the democratic party. He has not been fighting republi- cans, gentlemen. It is false that he holds onto an office to perpetuate himself two years in power. He retains the governorship against the onslaughts of the democrats in order to hand it over, as soon as that can be honorably done. to its Iightful claimant, General Samuel E. Merwin. That has been our object in the past; that will be our sole end and aim for the future"
 The concluding speech was delivered by Mr Sperry, who eulogized the system of town representation and deprecated the merging of small boroughs with cities like New Haven.