New-York tribune., 1902-07-07
POLITICS IN CONNECTICUT.
SHARP CONTEST FOR HIGH SHERIFF
THE NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR.

NeW-Haven Conn, July (SpeciaD.-An inter
esting and what promises to develop into hot con-
test for the Republican nomination for Sheriff Of
-Ne"-HaVen County is being waged by the
present High Sheriff. A B. Dunham and Robert
y. Eaton, Deputy State Dairy Commissioners of
North Haven. Although the election is four months
on the respective friends of the principals arc
working like Trojans in their interests The nrize
Is one of the richest political plums in the state
II is worth from $1,000 TO SIS 600 a wear and the,
term for which the High Sheriff is elected is four
years Besides the pay attached to the office. the
holder is admittedly the county leader of his party
and such wields considera bic influence in state
politics and legislation.
The contest between Messrs. Eaton and Dunham
Is legacy from the struggle for supremacy in
ISOo between Samuel Fessenden of Stamford, and o.
K Fyler. of Torrington, which threatened at the
time seriously 10 injure the Republican party in
the State. In that memorable division of forces
High Sheriff Dunham fought under the Fessenden
banner while Mr.. Eaton active lieutenant
VI Fyler' The latter man won. and, while the dis
ruptlon Of the party, which had been predicted in
such contingency. did not take place the bitter
ness which the struggle developed did wholly
vanish The triumphant section of the party
angry at Mr.. Dunham, recognizing in him of
It's strongest opponents, so Mr.. Eaton has entered
the lists. in the hope of wrestling from him the
political power he now undoubtedly possesses. and
incidentally securing for himself a snug berth for
Iour years. Both men are veterans at the game
county and the contest has been already inocuated
with sufficient asperity indicate that the nomi-
hang convention, which will be held in September,
VIII be an intensely warm gathering.
In this condition of affairs the Democrats, who
formerly practically owned the county in po-
itcal sense. but who for eight years have occu-
pied seat at the counci! table. have taken
considerable heart. They believe that this year
they have an excellent chance of re-establishing
themselves in power in the county They have.
therefore-that is, the party mana gers-agreed TO
give the party nomination to former Sheriff Charles
A. Tomlinson. of Milford, in the belief that Mr..
TOminSon Is the strongest candidate they could
put forward. Other men of influence in the party
who aspired TO the nomination such Mayor Kill
duff of Waterbury, Mayor Charters of Ansonia
and Walter Leigh. of this city, have been brushed
aside for Tomlnson. and it may be stated that
they by means relish the treatment to which
they have been subjected. They will probably be
heard from later in the work of destroying
temple, which the Democratic dictators
building for the propagation of their ambitions.
Mayor Studley of this city is gradually growing
in favor with the Republican masses as the candi-
date for Governor. Since he elected Mayor.
a year ago. in this Democratic city. he has
given to New-Haven an excellent administration.
He is safe conservative and able jurist Of high
standing and one doubts that he would make
first class Governor. But there men in his own
party in this city who selfshly opposed 70
Mayor Studley's nomination. They among mis-
only Republican who be elected Mayor next
year. and if he advanced to the Governorship
the patronage Of the city would he lost to the
party. But public opinion in Connecticut has
way of asserting itself. and il is not at all un-
likely that ii may insist on the nomination of Mr..
Studey. which in his would be almost equiva-
lent his election to the executive chair.