Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-12
TALK OF THE TOWN
The Sudden Ending of the Sen-
 sational "For" Case
EVERYBODY SEEMS PLEASED

Even Republicans Heave a Sigh of Res
 lief to Think the Disagreeable Affaic
 is Ended-Mayor Kilduff and the
 Boards--Many Applicants for Posi-
 tions on the Board of Safety-One
 of Judge Cowell's Famous Stories.
 The collapse of the election contest was the talk of the town last night, ana While some expressed surprise st how suddenly the bottom had dropped out or It others claimed that they ex- pected it would wind up that way Ill q general way, the announcement of the withdrawal of the suits was well comed, and everybody except those who had been instrumental ill stirring up the row was pleased to know that the thing was settled. The sober- minded element of the community realized from the beginning that it was a mistake on the part of the appel lants and quite serious matter for the public. If the litigation had been continued until next spring public in- terestS would have suffered in the meantime and in the end all the ex- pense incurred would have to be met by the taxpayers, so it is not to be wondered at that people who feel their rate bills are big enough under exist ing conditions looked upon the threat ened war as something in the nature of a local calamity. Tn a few days more, when the battle would be rag ing if peace had not been proclaimed, we shall be entering under q new sys- tenn of government, and this with tho preparation which must soon be made to face the sewage disposal question, should, it would seem, occupy the att tentiOn of someone, instead of all being engaged in mad scramble for the of. fees, one crowd contending for posses sion and another endeavoring to dis lodge them. Under such conditions. how much attention does anybody sup pose would be paid to public atfairs2 No matter how sanguine the defends ants might be of winning their case. it is not unreasonable to believe that they would be more or less upset on account of litigation, and that they would be tempted to neglect their of- ficial duties while the tilt was on.
 Some of the democrats and many republicans are very much displeased because the case did not go to tho courts, because they feel that in all Likelihood q new election would have been ordered, with the result that the democrats would sweep the field, and for once, at least, get the controlling power in the aldermanic chamber. But this is a selfish view of the case ant is not shared by conservative citizens, all of whom think that we should be thankful that the trouble didn't result in anything worse than it has, and hope to see the question drop out of sight and attention be turned to the work which properly belongs to those who have been chosen to take care OF it.
 One good feature of the little rum- Dus is that it does not seem to nave made bad friends in any quarter. Some say now that Judge Cowell new CT intended to carry the matter lnto the courts. and assert that the show of fight put forward by him was done with view to giving the democrats good scare. Probably this is true, and if it be he succeeded admirably, though most people will say that the old saw, Who laughs last laughs best, nolds good in this instance as well as i'll most cases of the kind. It reminds us of one of Judge Cowell's stories. which runs something like this: An old colored man saw horse graZlng on the edge of q pond and concludeu to give the animal a butt of his head and dump it into the water. The hu- nor of the thing tickled the rISlpilitleS of the darkey so that he lay down anu indulged in a fit of laughter at the ldet of it. Finally he got ready to perform the feat and with head downward made 2. drive at the horse. The anl- mai caught on and bounded out of the way. and the joker was precipitateu head first into the pool. After the uar- key had pulled himself out or the ihife he got talking with neighbor over what had happened him, ana rem ed with a good deal or gusto, uoi.y, wasn't lucky to have my laugh first; [ thought I heard old Dobbins grin as ha turned out of the way and looked at mo laundering in the water.
 Mayor Kilduff has but short tlme laft to prepare his annual message anu make ont his list of appointments tu inc several boards. While anytniliS that might be said at this time regard ;no the appointments is nothing moro than mere supposition, yet it is certaiil tbat many think his honor will starr out with new men on all the boards.
 r. ia said that there is not as much of T race for appointments this year as there was two years ago, though lI is well known that more than nVe lneli are very anxious to serve on the board of nublic safety. 1t is mystery lnc attraction this board has for so mary citizens. Most people would not care to accept position on board where there is so much unpleasant worE 10 narform. while others who would nol think of looking for place Ill tn3 other departments fight tooth anu nals to be a commissioner or the poaru oA public safety.