The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-08-30
GROckvIlle Leader.)
POLITICAL. GOSSIP.

weather subject, and since the Cd
jo7rnment of the present Legislature
there has been more or less talk In
tpolitical circles throughout the state,
and 1t 10 not strange that some Of this
talk should turn TO Tolland county.
Among other things which have been
discussed by the Legislators is the sem
atOrship, and there has naturally been
some speculation thus early % to the
successor of Senator Baker. Not o
few shrewd political workers have
looked TO see Senator Baker again .
candidate for the honor. That gen.
tleman has made one Of the best soma
tors the district has ever had,
and while he has mot taken an Active
part i'm the debates. he has been .
iquiet but efficient worker and he has
accomplished much good. Soon after
the complimentary dinner given by
Senator Baker at the Hartford club.
just before the Legislature adjourned,
the story went ont that Senator Baker
was looking for o second term, but
those who know Senator Baker
and enjoy his cOnfdence take little
stock in the story. They maintain
that there wasn't any political sig.
nificance attached to that dinner, and
that il Senator Baker had any desire
for o denomination he would take
other means OF announcing it than
giving dinner. Friends Of Senator
Baker do not believe he has any
further political aspiratidas at pres
ent. -.
Unless Rockville makes an9 active
and vigorous campaign for the sena-
Itorship next time it is likely to 60 TO
Somers, and the fortunate individual
in this case would be none other than
Representative Mayro Ksapey. It 10
quite generally known that Repre-.
sentative Keeney would lilas Che nom.
ination, although he is doing nothing
tospush his own candidacy along and
is waiting deySlOpments. II strong
candidate, with q good record behind
him and wide acquaintance through
out the county, should come mp from
this city for the nomination he would
be likely to secure it, and Represent
ative Keeney realizes this fact. It
doesn't look, however, as IL Rockville
twas going to make any great efforts
to secure the nomination. There are
10 number Of available men in this
|city, but few who desire TO undertake
fa campaign, especially when there
are . number Of candidates in the
field. At one time there Was STRONG
sltalk De ex-R -RspresentaSiye John E.
F'ahey for the nomination, and nm
Fdoubtedly il this gentleman decides
to 60 into the contest he can win ont
lagAinst any and all comers, but IL ID
understood that Representative Fahey
does not desire the Office. IL 10 pos
sible he may change his mind before
the time for the senatorial convention
arrives. Ex-Mayor Loomis has also
been mentioned, and there are quite
q number in this city who would like
to see him become an active candi'
date. His record in thsss HGislature
was excellent. and IL the, n6mination
10 coming to Rockville there; are peo.
pie who would like to see the former
mayor and ex-representative shonored.
Representative W. L. Higgins OF
Coventry has been frequently mem
toned in connection with the soma
torship, and there is . feeling through
out the county that the district might
look q. great ways and do worse.
During the present session Of the leg
islature Representative Higgins made
an envisble rsputation for himself,
and was early recognized aA one of
Tolland county's ieaders.. He has q
natural aptitude for legiSlatiVe work
and fondness for politics, and it ia
doubtful If he remains passive. He
has demonstrated his political gener-
alship and has shown what he can do
when he starts out. Il was due
wholly to his management tt1at John
Brown Of Coventry won out in the
hard fought contest for county COM
missioner against the most astlte and
shrewdest political workers in the
county. It was o notable victory for
DR.. Higgins, and put his stock as q
political leader above par. In future
political contests in the county Rep
resentative Higgins must be reckoned
with. He 10 certain to be an inn
poftant factor. Coventry has little
claim, however, ON the senatorship.
It went to Coventry only . few years
ago, when DR.. Haven was nominated,
and it does not belong TO Coventry the
next time. It has been hihted that
DIR. Higgins realizes this and that he
will not 60 into the contest, but will
wait for . more opportnne time.
Whether Representative Higgins goes
into the race or mot he win continue
to be heard from in the affairs of the
county, and his counsel and advice
will be sought by the republican lead
ers. It would NOT be surprising If he
was sent back to the house from the
town Of Coventry. His hne record
has appealed 20 many Of his towns
men, and there ia o feeling that he
could do even better work. IL given o
second term, than he did before.
With Representative Higgins on
the waiting list and no one from this
city making an active canvass for the
nomination for senator, Representa-
tive Keeney would win hands down.
As it is he will be . formidable can
didate IL no decides to enter the raOe,
and the republican who defeats him
will know that he has had . fight ON
his hands. Representative Keeney's %