Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-11
DEMOCRATS READY
 FOR CONVENTION M Mea From All Pats of tho State -Flocked to the Capitol Ihk
 Afternoon THAyEp HAS MI 0ppncITI0N
THAYER HAS NO OPPOSITION
The Question of Endorsing Bryan Seems to Be One of the Fore
 most Incidents at Present.

mO3t lncldents at Present.
 Hartford. Conn. Sept 11.-Early
 arrivals among the delegates to the
 democratic state convention. which
 will open In the Auditorium tonight,
 expressed their desire to obtain the
 latest news from Maine," particular
 interest appearing to center in the
 fight of the labor unions against
 Congressman Littlefield. It is ex-
 pected that a campaign along similar
 lines will be waged in this state
 against Congressman George |. Lil-
 ley, because of the alleged attitude
 of the latter in Congress on matters
 affecting organized labor. and also
 by reason of the fact that the busi-
 ness relations of the firm, of which
 he Is q senior partner In his home
 city. Waterbury, are allied with cer- tain beef packing interests of Q west eYn city. Months ago the State Fed eration of Labor singled out Con
 gressman Lilley for attack in this campaign, and 1t Is known that Samuel Gompers had tentatively promised to take the stump this fall. To meet him the republican national committee will send Secretary Taft and Speaker Cannon into the state early next month. The cutting down of Congressman Littlefield's majority over his democratic opponent Is all most certain to influence the con- yention tomorrow to nominate Charles F. Donahue, of Derby. former president of the State Federation of Labor. as MT Lilley's opponent. The delegates already here lok at this as certain. MT Lilley will be renomin- ated by the republican convention next week. 'I
 Aside from filling the place of con- gressman at large on the ticket. the Maine election Is not expected to- change the determination of the men who are writing the platform to keep national issues, and the name of Will Ham Jennings Bryan out of 1t. There may be parasraph yolcing the con. gratulations ot the democrats ot Maine, bSt-eyen this ts' likely sto- be offered In . SeparHte fesOlutaon. The draft of the platform does not men ton any possible presidential candi- dAte two years hence, or declare for the principle of municipal Ownership of utilities. The absence of the lat ter may precipitate a contest on the floor of the convention as Mayor Charles F. Thayer. of Norwich. who will be the party nominee for govern or, is an outspoken, active worker for municipal ownership. The plat | form in the rough is very mild in tone and simply arraigns existing 1 in the state under republi- can rule.
 The fight on the main blanks in the platform will be made in the on resolutions tonight. | Tho predictions are that the conser- vative members have the situation in | hand. and will carry through their ideas. If the committee cannot | agree, the contest on the floor of the | oonvention will probably enliven the | proceedings.
 ! The argument against the endorse ment of Mir. Bryan Is that the 1908 is too far away to name him as the candidate. and as yet. he has not announced his can 6idacy. Mir Bryan's name is likely eo be mentioned on the floor of the as many delegates are members of the Bryan league.
 me convention which is entitled lo 617 delegates will be called to order at D. m.. by Chairman John ]. Walsh of the state central com mittec, who after reading the call, wtll introduce Mayor William D. fhoms. of Waterbury, as temporary ,hsirman. Although young in years, 1r Thoms already has made his mark as Q political speaker and his lddFess to the oonvention is expected !o be its most striking feature. As ths make up of the state ticket. lsids from the places of governor nd congressman at large is in doubt, ( nay happen that Mayor Thoms E1u oe honored by . place upon 1t. lis homo city being the democratic of the state. By many ,e has been looked upon as a strong r man politically Co run against Lilley.
 After Mayor Thoms' address the committee will be announced and ad- ournment will be taken until morn ng. Over night the order of bust lsm vfli be agreed apon- An ex- eptonally quiet convention is ex- ,ected. Mayor Thayer may not be recent to make . speech of accept Ince as he has been away owing to n health. For lieutenant governor, ormer Senator John N. Ney. of Hart ord. is likely to be named. although )aniei P. Dunn, of Wiflimantic, rould Ike the place. Sevsfai names re mentioned for secretary of rtafe. , tate treasurer, state controller. and ttnFney general. The ieaders seem Q be indifferent about the filling of hess places-
 walsh VIII Rcsi0.
 ooueh EorwaIk. Conn. Sept ff.-I, - ooot Important and i1rst definite