The morning journal-courier., 1908-05-19
MACHINE IS UPSET
Governors Appointment to
County Commission Gives
Leaders a Jolt.
MERIDEN MAN GETS IT
Woodruff Again Jumps Political Traces
and Names George w. Miller
Good Selection.

Has Governor Woodruff completely
cut away from the republican ma
chine In this county? Is the question
now agItating republican (and demo-
cratIc) leaders In this city following
his appointment Of George w. Miller
of Merlden as county commissioner
yesterday And to their query they
all agree In the answer that 1t seems
he has and will hereafter run his own
game IN his own way and to suit what
he deems to be the best interests of
the state. They agree further, that
the governors stand will not hurt
his chances of denomination any
lnasmuch as his taking the bit be-
tween his teeth not only satisfies the
people of the state at large but re-
lleves the political leaders Of diff
cult situation,
Governor Woodrun's antagonIsm to
machine dlctatlon has been in evil
dence all through his term His many
firm stands against what was wanted
by those In control but that he didn't
think Just right for the state are too
we'll known to need rehearslng. While
II is true that in some instances he
has yielded TO the voice OF Counsel
II is Just as true that he has turned
a deaf ear TO II more often and this
is said to be the one reason that now,
with the state upset by the Lilley-
Lake fight, the leaders do not take
kindly to his denomination In this
his latest action the governor Is said
to have acted entirely against the
wishes OF the machine and in persu-
ance Of a break that occurred about
the time OF the city election here last
fall
At that time Mr. Mlllers son, a
member Of the Warner Miller COM
pany, and coterie Of his friends oh.
jected to the nomination of Senator
Chatiield for the mayoralty and 70
the dictatlon that brought 1t about
finally. In this they were supported
by large number OF influential re-
publicans and altogether they worked
for the election OF his opponent, the
present Mayor Martin His over
whelming majority proved how the
machine rule was regarded In this
city. This clique Ia now said to be
the power that led to the appoint
ment Of MIR. Miller to the place left
vacant by the late County Commits
sioner Thompson II being. as It were,
sort OF reward for the efforts OF
Mr.. Miller and his friends in busting
the machine.
The split between Governor Wood
ruff and the other leaders of the re-
publlcans In this county. especially
Colonel Ullman. appears TO be more
Wide than appears on the surface. II
| develops that the latter. although he
spoke to the governor about the. office,
knew nothing Of the governors ac-
ton until after II was all over. when
he was called up and told about It.
II Is said he wasn't any too we'll
pleased, but with his usual calm ae-
cepted the decision and kept his
mouth shut afterward
Mr.. Millers appointment by the
! governor is on the whole pleasing to
all those interested except the disap-
pointed candidates 10 Judge from the
remarks after the decision was made
! known He had for many years been
popular and efficient official In his
home city having held at different
| times the Offices Of selectman, water
superintendent and deputy internal
revenue collector. His appointment
was complete surprise to his al
! though he knew he had been men
toned on his personality or eff
cheney the machine has no kick The
entire dissatisfaction arises because
the governor. no doubt expecting to
he advised got In ahead Of the ad-
visers and settled the question by
naming his man The appointment
Will hold until the coming legislature
elects the man for the full term. Al
that time II is expected the machine
will endeavor to get back.