The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-24
A POLITICAL REMINrsCENCE.

POLITICAL REMINIsCENCE.
 The news of the death of William Parsons, former resident of this city. at the home of his aon-in-law, Dr. House. at Portland, Oregon, recalls the lively political times in Connecti- cut twenty six years ago when the younger democratic element of the state wrested the control of the or ganization from the old leaders The metamorphosis was more due to the leadership of Mr. Parsons in that struggle between party factions than to any one else His was just the na- ture and temperament to make a fight of that character successful.
 MT. Parsons was graduate of Yale in the class of 1868, and knew the state of Connecticut pretty well. Aft CT graduation he practiced law In Pennsylvania, returning later to thls state to take up newspaper work in New Haven He was never what would be technically known as newspaper maker. He was, however, an editorial writer of unusual force and effectiveness. It became his self imposed task to innoculate the denio- cratic party of the state with more of the spirit of progressiveness than 1t possessed under the leadership of the older and conservative leaders, was had for years dictated the policy of the organization and selected it's standard bearers. He, with his polit- ical counsellors selected young Tom Waller of New London as the man most likely to win in the state con vention
 The convention which that year nominated Mir Waller for governor Is still well remembered by many, who have since played but a small part in the life of the democratic party. No man could have been selected for gov ernor who was so offensive to the old men as he They regarded him as a reactionary, and they professed not to know what would happen to the his toric organization If he were given the reins. Undismayed by this force ful opposition, Mir Parsons and his friends set out to win the day They met the statements of such powerful men as Editor Burr of the Hartford Times, who personally took the floor in opposition to MT Walters nomina- ton, with increased determination. Tn 8 struggle, which has not It's parallel In the history Of the democratic party in Connecticut the Waller faction made constant and sensational gains defying threatened excommunicatl 1n and scorning offers of compromise Tn the end they had driven the old war rors of the party into the corner anj had forced them to surrender uncon- ditionally. Waller was the nominee of the convention and after a whirl- wind campaign, such as he could alone make, was elected by 8 clear majority over all opposing candidates as required at that time by the state constitution.
 The character of the fight Mr. Par. sons put up against the republican nominee and tne fearlessness of his campaign for MT. Waller convinced the state of his ability as a politica leader, but when he sought confrma. ton by tho republican state senate ot his nomination by Governor Waller for the insurance sslonershT revengeful human nature asserted 1t. self and he was rejected by large majority The very source of hi, power in the state convention proved to be the source Of his weakness be. fore the senate as formal nomnat for an important state office, Withir four years thereafter Mr. Parsons nat received an important appointment tc the federal service at President Cleve lands hands, and he passed out of thu political life of Connecticut Of MT Parsons personally it can be said witt truth that few men, if any have eve entered the journalistic life of Con necticut and within so snort a time impressed themselves so indelibly up on it. EIe made firm friends and de termined enemies, but he was recog nized by all as a fearless and straigh Lighter for the truth as he saw it Fiji death closes an adventuresome anc picturesque career career which found much to further shape it ii the breezy west.