Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-07
TOURTELOTTE'S SCALP.
New Britain Socialists Are Trying to
 Force His Resignation.

New Britain Socialists Are Trying to
 Force His Resignation
 New Britain. Dec 7.-Councilman George $. TourtClCtte. one of the ablest and most popular members of the com mon council, was arraigned before d special Investigating committee of SO cialists. Wednesday evening. on d charge of treason to the party.
 It is d peculiar situation. and pCSsi- ble only in social politics. The in- vestigating committee, before whom Councilman Tourtelotte was tried. con sisted of Messrs Alsop. Egan and Lei ken. The specific charge against him is treason to the socialist labor party of the United States. Leonard ThCmp- son, q painter. alleged in written complaint to the socialist section of which he and TOurteiotte are pr0mi- ncnt members. that TOu1telOtte is false to socialism: that he is q social dem ocrat and has constantly agitated prin- ciples of social democracy among hlS fellow social labor men. The com plaint is signed by Leonard C. Thomp- son. A. C. McBrayne and Patrick j. Donlon. The latter two were candi- dates for office recently on the social ist ticket.
  telotte emphatically replied Net gull tv." and reminded the Investigators that the burden of proof rested with them. Thompson. Donlon and Me Brovne testified against TCurtelottH The taking of the testimony Cccupicu inc entire evening. The committee rp- fused to make known it's decision, but will report to the regular meeting Ct the section Friday night. The report is thought to be unfavorabie. ana mat Councilman TCurtelotte will not cliN he cancelled from the section. but hlS resiynation will be handed to the com mon council without his consent. When elected q member of the conh- cil a year ago last spring. Couhclihl'n Tourtelotte. with the other SoclaiAS' office holders. handed his resl@ha'ioil to his party organization to De "-r' when he proved false to s0cialisHl. iie admits that the officers of the Organi- zation have his signed resignation. pni he claims that the common councl K not hound to accept it nor is he bound hv cath to hand it in himself. Ills ccur.a in the common council was not questioned hy the investigators. lie IS ! cboirnop of the special common cooH- cu committees on municipal Hghllh'' n1ont and the League 0f Alhetlci'ii
 
 Nnnicipalities and is also mempe O. va,ious: standing committees, tie lS '' moch;nist by trade, aud is employed all the stanley works. He does not ueuN his admiration of social democraie doctrines. He has many friends m tue socialist labor section. who Will leave that order if he is expelled. lis h', crsers are among the most lnduentlal socialists in the city. and should lhe!i charges not be substantiated the so ci,list labor party Of New Britain vii he destined to q short life.
 It is obligatory upon every soclalls. who accepts q nomination for omce u write out and sign his resignation De fore taking the oath Of office. Ihls 1S a precauticn taken by the section 10 nt certain that the man. ii elected 10 C.
 fee will be faithful to socialist lueiiS Il his official duties. This is the hrs time the matter has ever been put It practical test in Connecticut. h' h' result will be awaited with interest U, Etha socialist labor men throughout tll' l state.