Norwich bulletin., 1910-10-08

In the words of the armored gentle
man bearing a shield and short sword,
the democrats met their political
enemies in New London last Monday
and went with them. It was an aW-
full wallopine the democrats electins
only one alderman out of five, Ed
ward J. Nei1an in the Third, and of
course one of the selectmen, William
White. The democrats find consola-
ton i'll the election of that young man
from the fact that he led the two re-
puhlicans in the vote and is there
fore first selectman, which in New
London looks like distinction with
out a difference, although that is quite
an Office where there< is not a dual
government like that|of New London,
where the seiectmen are aldermen at
large and members of the court of
common council
The new council is republican, by an
increased majority, there being that
| unlIcky number of thirteen republi
cans to five democrats So when it
comes to parce1ling out the offices
| within the gift of the council the
democrats. not even those who voted
for republican members of the coun-
Gil will he given a peep-in. unless the
spirit that actuated Governor Weeks
to appoint DEMOCRAT as railroad COM
missioner should happen to strike the
fancy of some of the members of the
court of common council. Democrats
| have been known to appoint repubh :
cans to office and vice versa, even in
the New London court of common
council: but that was in the long
ago. Perhaps there may be renewal
at this time. Perhaps?
If the usual custom is followed the
apSointive officers will be named at
the first meeting OF the new council.
soon after organization. and so far as
known all the present incumbents,
save one. are candidates for reapoint-
ment and evidently believe that theirs
is q life tenure. This should not be
the case in every instance, no matter
what marty happens to be in power.
1t is discouraging TO the rank and file
who do not believe in the perpetua
ton of q special few in public office Of
the kind where the people have no part
! in their election.
The surprise of the meeting will
probably be the announcement of
Robert A. Woodworth that he is not a
candidate, for re- election as sealer of
weights and measures. a position which
| he has held for a few months, being
the first to occupy the place under the
provisions of the O'Leary ordinance,
Mr.. Woodwork sought the position
and it was believed that the fees ag-
gTegated what would be c}af<ed IS a.
fair salary and there is surprise there
pecialiy. as he worked it in with his
other job, and together they netted a
paying position above the ordinary.
Mr.. Woodwork filed the Office very
acceptably. and was evidently just
getting interested in the work when
he announces his retirement.
Now there is an office that could
without serious ~arty impairment Nc
taken out of politics. just as are the
other minor offices, for it is still in
that list, although it has become an
office of prominence and emolument
since the adoption of the O'Leary or
diuance. Mr. Woodwork resigned the
position of assistant city clerk to ac-
cept that of sealer of weights and
mea sures. and to make room for his
CO. worker to take that position so that
the assistant could slip into the nomi-
nation for the clerkship. Now as
that move failed. perhaps Mr. circuit
NAV, in his magnanimitv, resign and
make way for Mr.. Woodwork to as
sumo that post of honor again. es-
membership in the board of school
visitors
A man has been suggested as sue
cessor to Mr.. WoodWorth as seale- of
weights and measures who is well
equipped for the position and would
devote his time and attention to the
duties and bring the office I'D to the
standard and where the benefits would
be apparent. the buyers and sellers
being satisfied that they are receiv
in the exact quantity Of goods pur-
chased and are given a square deal.
just as Alderman James F. O'Leary
anticipated when he succeeded after
persistent effort in hayino the or
dinance adopted by the court of COM
mon council. The man suggested as
Mr. Woodworth's successor is George