The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-12-13
THE HOUSE cLERKsHIP.

The Opposition to H. R. Durant-A
 Boomerang One Observer Sees
 the Situation.
 As the time for the converting of the legislature approaches the interest in the House clerkship increases. A man who travels all over the State and has good opportunities to see and hear has this to say of the situation:
 The opposition against H. R. Durant, of Waterbury, and a former New Ha- ven boy, who is the only candidate for the clerkship of the next House, was making good progress until a couple of weeks ago, when some political enemy of his took the trouble to cause a num- Der of copies of Judge Shumway's de- 'cision in the Durant case to be printed, and these copies of the finding were mailed to the legislators under a New Haven postmark, This campaign lit- erature proved a boomerang, and has caused the complete collapse of all real opposition to Durant's candidacy. There are two efficient reasons why this attempt to hurt Durant fails so fully. The first reason is because the person who sent out the circular was too much of coward to sign his name to 1t, and the second reason is that 1t brought home forcibly to the members of the next House the fact that Durant was not dsharred. but was suspended. The vast difference between disbarment and suspension is too we'll known to need further comment. At the present time the only real objection to Durant seems centered in the Hartford Cour- ant. The Courant continually asserts that Durant has been disbarred, and it is not fair enough to say that the. mat ter has been appealed to the Supreme court, which Is the true condition of the case at present.
 The facts are that no claim Is made that Durant is not amply qualified to perform the duties of the office; no claim is made that any fault has been found with his past work in the legls- lature. But what little opposition there is Is based entirely upon charges which were brought against Durant by Colo mel Burpee, and Burpees anlmosity toward Durant and his vlndictiveness in the matter are known from one end of this State to the other. However, if Durant were to accept Judge Shum- ways decision, which suspended him, even then it would not be matter which the representatives could prop erly consider, because 1t Is something entirely apart from his legislative du- ties; but since Durant's attorneys have filed an appeal and taken the matter to the Supreme court, where 1t will be finally determined. it would be mani festly unfair to bring 1t up now in any way whatsoever. Whether or not Durant has been rightfully suspended is yet to be proven, and until it has been finally determined the public, as well as the members of the next House, can well afford to ignore it entirely. Fair-minded people who are conversant with the matter know that 1t Is, from beginning to end, largely personal af fair between two Waterbury men, Bur
 
 pee and Durant.
 Tt is evident that Burpee has gone too far with his persecution" A mem Der of the next House so expressed himself. In addition he said: T am going to vote In this matter entirely on the merits of the case. I am not friend of Durant's, neither am I an en- emy of Burpee's, but do believe the opposition is a trumped-up affair and is founded upon nothing which con cerns Durant's legislative work, Even if were satisfied that he were guilty of the charges it would not change my feeling In the matter. I hear on every side that Durant has made an excellent clerk, that no one disputes his ability, and, therefore, why should refuse to vote for him? Just to pay off another mans political grudge? l should say not!"