Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-06
DEMOCRATS GATHERING
 IN THE CITY OF ELMS
The State Convention Opens This Evening-Yales Law
 School Dean Will Preside-Thayer and Robertson
 Candidates for Governorship Bishop of Bridge port to Try for Place Held by Congressman Lilley

New Haven, Sept 6.--For the pur- pose of placing state ticket in the field for the fall election the demo cratic state convention will be held at the Hyperion theater in this city to- night and tomorrow. In addition to the state officers a ongressman-at- large to oppose Congressman George L. Idlley, whose re-nomination by the republicans seems certain. and seven presidential electors will be named and platform adopted. Henry Wade Rogers, dean of Yale law school, will preside tonight as temporary chair man, delivering an address and an- ouncing the committees necessary to effect permanent organization and plan out the work. The speech of Dean Rogers is awaited with much in terest, the state committee considering 1t to be. the formal opening of the campaign in Connecticut, because of his vigorous writings on many ques- tions which are considered to be party issues this fall. It is likely that Dean Rogers will be made permanent chair man and so preside tomorrow at a session which may be quite as lively as 1t will be enthusiastic.
 The candidates for the grlbernatorial nomination are Mayor ChaTles K. Thayer Of Norwich and Judge A. Hea- ton Robertson of this city. The for mer has a majority of the pledged del egates at present, although he is op> posed by majority of the state cen tral committee, it is claimed. which only a few days ago brought Judge Robertson into the field in place Of Judge Samuel L. Bronson, also of this city, who declined to stand even after many caucllses had pledged their dele gates for him and when his nomdna- ton seemed beyond question.
 Candidates for other places on the state ticket and for presidential elec- tors have scarcely been mentioned. so general has been the interest in the Nhayer contest against the state conl- mdteee, and just before the convention itself the makeup of the ticket is somewhat in doubt. For heutenant- governor Senator Archibald McNeil of Bridgeport probably Wdll be named, although Frank Sumner of Hartford has been mentioned. but he may be the nominee for state treasurer. For secretary of state James P Woodruff of Litchield, brother of Editor George Woodruff of the Iitchheld Inquirer, seems to be alone in his candidacy. He is considered a strong man by reason of hds party leadership in the lower branch of the legislature for two ses- sions. For comptroller of the treas ury Henry c. Dissell of West Hart. ford will be the nominee unless H. S Roberts of North Canaan should prove to be the stronger candidate. General Henry A. Bishop of Bridgeport will
 be nominated for congressman-at large. Few names have been spoken of for presidential electors, but for mer Governor Waller is a lkely choice from New London, J. B. Sargent from New Haven and Hon N 0. Pinney from Stafford.
 The platform probably will follow the lines of the national document with a few blanks directing attention to purely state matters.
 Delegates to the convention began to arrive early, and several members Of the state committee were here also to give assistance in completing ar. engagements.
 Mayor Thayer is conducting his own canvass and to-day on taking charge of his quarters here expressed his con Chairman J. J. Walsh Of the state com
 mittee has charge of Judge Robert sons interests, and he says that the result is not in doubt, in his mind
 The opposition to Mayor Thayer, who
 announced his candidacy months ago dates from the convention of two years ago when he was defeated foI the same nomination by Mr Cary oi
 Ridgefeld. Should the candidates
 have about equal strength in the con vention the alleged i'll feeling engelf deTed by the results of the state cleo
 tion of two years ago is likely to pro yoke some lively debates on the floor
 This Is anticipated by committee mem bers themselves, for dt is evident that Mir Thaye1. N@ll go into the convention with more pledged delegates than his
 opponent.
 The delegates elected to the conven, | ton from this city left here
 this afternoon. The delegates chosen
 are as follows: First ward, r. J Lawlor, James Whiting, alternate, J W. Mcdonald; second ward, H. M
 Rigney, T. J. Brennan of Cooke street alternate, Edward l.. Seery; third ward, William D. Thoms, E. J. Dona- hue, alternate, Timothy Carmody; fourth ward, William J. Spain, D. J,
 Mahaney, Peter Lawlor, alternate. F. ]. Reardon; fifth ward, James ]. Gas sin, Edward Kelley, Jr., Timothy
 Brennan, alternate, Patrick Holohan; delegate at large, John Clohessey. Several other democrats accompanied
 the delegates. The convention proper
 will not open until tomorrow, but the county causes and other preliminary work will be taken up tonight.