The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-22
THOMS GOVERNOR Waterbury Mayor Suggested as Possible Democratic
 Candidate. A QUESTION OF MONEY General Opinion That He Could De- feat Lilley in Home
 City.

ocratic candidate Tor governor or Con- necticut made directly after his tri- umphant reelection, and his friends are discussing this matter with great freedom as Congressman Lilley comes into greater prominence in the con- test for the Republican nomination. Waterburys mayor has long cherished the hope of going higher and his friends got him the temporary chair manship of the last Democratic State convention with view to furthering that ambition.
 Ii is freely asserted by Democrats here that Thomas would beat Lilley for governor in Waterbury and vicin- ity, and so far as the city is concerned. it is possible that he would Leading Republicans make no secret of their belief that he might, when talking among themselves anyway. He is at the head of an organization in Water bury which has shown it's capability for accomplishment There is compar- ative harmony among all the Dem- ocrats locally and very well ground ed harmony among those who are the real leaders.
 In the municipal campaign last fall it was felt by many of the voters that | Thoms was, in reality, fighting Lilley, who was believed to have instigated a style of campaign in favor of John E. | ;ewell. the Republican candidate, bas- ed mainly on personalities reflecting on Thoms, At all events. more than one citizen voted the Democratic ticket be- cause he didn't like the mud-throwing and Thoms now regards the result as not only a vindication of himself, but a setback for the congressman.
 In view of the possibilities in this situation. Thoms friends claim that the best thing Connecticut Democrats can do is to nominate a man who has a chance to beat the Republican can didate in his own town. They also play up strongly the fact that Mayor Thoms has not been mixed up in State poli- tics to the extent where he has any past to injure him and his good stand ing with the labor men in Waterbury and the chances of getting lot of the
 labor votes over the state for him. Lil- Icy has come out strongly for Taft for the presidential nomination, too, and
 this, they claim, will set the colored vote from which New Haven county
 Democrats hope much in the coming election because of the unanimity with
 which the New Haven colored voters
 voted for Mayor Martin, against Lilley
 VI. |, ..f4 4l.,c ( &1
 is estimated at all the way from $500
 to 1000.
 With all of this before him, Mayor
 Thoms recently told several of his
 friends in confidence that he didn't
 care for the nomination for governor
 nearly as much as that for congress
 from the Second district, which had
 bee nhis real ambition all the time. He
 said he didn't feel able financially to make the race against man like Lil- Icy or Lake, who had good deal
 more money than he, and wouldn't
 care for any place on the State ticket
 Some of those friends are still anxious to have him run for governor and are
 trying to show him that it is better
 plan at present, since even though he should lose, he would be apt to be
 strengthened so as to get the congress
 sional nomination later.
 It is certain that any effort or
 Mayor Thoms' part to gain the nom. , ination for congress from this district : would meet with strenuous opposition from some of his closest friends here as long as Congressman Sperry is the Republican nominee, Thomas H Hayes of the Eagle Brewing company l the Waterbury Ice Corporation ana
 other large business interests. though
 Democrat of some prominence, Ina, been for years close friend ant l strong supporte rof Mir. Sperry ant 7 continues to be that. At the same tim, he is very close to Mayor Thoms ant ] has been. by some regarded as tht . guiding impulse of the mayors admin
 istration.
 There is, of course, always tht . question whether MT Sperry will rur , again, but reports. which reach Wa
 terpury from Washington, are to the
 effect that his health is comparativel, good and the present prospects arc . that he will It is q question, too whether Mayor Thor1s corid gain the , na,nination for congress in vlew of the : fact that Representative :ieorge NJ } Gum of Milford, is credited with seek. : ing it at this time. The southern part icl the county had both the Demo-
 ctrtic II animation for congress iron t.,.. second district md tat at Iarg' } tw., yeas ago, to he sure, and th' northern part of the county has nn l had a Democratic COTE -cssional nom, . ination from the Second district in
 number of years. though it did ge
 William Kennedy's nomination agains . Lilley in 1904.
 ] It has not been believed that an,
 Democrat could win in the Second dis
 trict so long as Congressman Spcrr,
 was the Republican candidate. bu | there are those who are beginning t e think that MT. Gum might defeat Mr } Sperry this year The iatters age is , of course, against him and hls plurali i ties have been reduced s1me what . t late years. He is hard man to bea; D but not few expect 10 see 1Ir. Cum make a strong campaign against hi:n J There is little doubt that the ReDubli S cans will nominate Mir. Sperrv as lon D as he wishes it. for they fear the ttls [ sle over the nomination with him elin
 mated from the situation.