Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-07
A WEAK ARGUMENT.

The opponents OF Senator Brande-
gee are bringing some specious ar
guments against him in behalf Of Con-
gresham Hill. This is what Hin
partisan has to say in the New Ha-
ven Register:
1.-THE tone Of self suffciency so ev-
ident in some OF the newspaper arti-
cles which have been written in favor
of Senator Brandegee's return to the
United States senate serves to bring
forcibly to the attention of anyone
familiar with New London, Brande-
gees home town, one of the chief
characteristics Of the city, a eharac-
teristic which is at the same time the
city's greatest hlndrance to growth
and development as a place OF I'M
portance in Connecticut
Compare, for example, the city OF
New London with the city Of Water
bury. The two places not many years
ago were Just about equal in popula-
ton. whereas now New London has
only $4,000 inhabitants. and Water
bury nearly 10000, or Waterbury is a
city nearly four times as large as
New London, and this Notwithstanding
the fact that New London is located
DN the HEdSluS anu mas CAAS VI NNN
best harbors in New England. AS for
railroad facilities it is not only juno
ton point of three divisions of the
N. Y, n. h. & H. railroad, but also
the southern terminus Of the Central
Vermont. 1t has daily boat service
to New York, and yet with all these
great railroad and shipping facilities
in the last so years 1t has made COM
paratively little advancement.
TT Is entirely natural that a man
should be Influenced by the prevailing
spirit of his home community. If
that spirit is one df enterprise and
progress then we look for enterprise
in the leading men. If otherwise, then
we must expect to find a lack of en-
ergy in the community's leading citi-
zen. Frank Brandegee is one Of New
London's leading citizens and he fully
indexes the New London spirit.
His career in the United States
senate has been conspicuous for its
lack Of effort. He has seemed to think
himself on a bed OF roses and has
conducted himself as II the job were
his and no other man in Connecticut
had right to aspire to the position.
He has been an obstructionist rather
than a constructionist. He has been
Brandegee of New London. not Bran
degee Of Connecticut"
It is a desperate case which calls
forth such rot as this. The New Lon
don spirit, as Norwich knows it for
the last two decades, is worthy of a
live town. Why New London doesn' I
equal Waterbury is a conundrum not
easily answered even by Waterbury.
Senator Brandegee does take pride in
New London and all of eastern Con-
necticut takes pride in him because
Of his public attachments and because
Of the benefactions which he has be-
slowed upon his native city.
What a gross and indecent SANDER
this is, of q man of exceptional en-
terprise and generosity!
Senator Brandegee was highly es-
teemed by Fessenden and Plat and
other leaders of his party, and he has
the commendation Of ten Of the ablest
men in. the United States senate as
the result Of a half-term Of service,
and these small men Of Connecticut
| rise up to print in support of Hill such
drivel as this.
This kind Of campaigning should tell
more IN favor Of Senator Brandegee
than against him.