Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-12

surprises Of election day all of which
is familiar to readers of newspapers,
but it is self-evident that it was even
more than the most sanguine ex-
pected. 1t was generally believed
by conservative estimates that it
would be a close contest between
Mayor Bryan f. Mahan and Daniel Nj.
Cronin, but even the most pronounced
Il told you So chap will acknow-
ledge that he did not predict such a
substantial majority. 1t was also be :
lieved in advance that Lucius E.
Wilton would be elected for the iegis-
lature and that his associate would be
either Cyrus c. Beckwith of Nathan
Belcher, the democratic nominee, and
that there was no chance for Lewis
Crandall Mr.. W4liton's associate on
the republican ticket.
Although Mr.. Crandall is hard
and consistent party worker and was
born and always lived in New Lon
don, and thoroughly competent to
represent his town in part in the
is termed in the parlance of the day
mixer, and was not extensively
known. The face of the returns show
ed the election of Wilton republican
and Belcher democrat, and these
gentlemen viii probably represent
However there is much uncertain
ty in matters political and the count
ing of the ballots is not always ac-
cepted SIS final, and a recount by the
court is demanded, Jodoin is to try
for recount to defeat Higgins for
congress, and Beckwit'h is to seek 4
recount of the vote for representa-
tive in New London, not for the sole
purpose of Defeating either Messrs.
| Wilton or Belchar, but to have his
own verified. He believes the re-
H.
| larger vote than did some one of the
candidates that the moderator de-
clared elected ard Il tfe reliet * sns-
tanned he expects to be seen and heard
in Hartford as a legislator once again.
Mr.. Beckwith asserts that in one
ward he was not credited with a single
vote on any of the scratched tickets
which of itself is evidence sufficient
/. that the count 50 far as it concerned
the vote for him was not correctly
rendered by the counters. This is
what Mr.. Beckwith proposes to as
certain and as a. result there may be
a contest for the legislative seat of
either Mr.. Wilton or MIR. BeIcher.
He has employed Attorney Freeman
to investigate the canvass of the vote
and TO bring the matter to q, salts
factory finish.
The surprise of the surprises of the
day, however, was the defeat of Judge
Alfred Colt, who has been in charge
of the probate office for twenty-years
and who it was supposed would be
retained in the office just as long as
desired. He was considered a lead
ing vote-getter and SO strong with the
people that at times no opposing can
didate would be named by the demo-
Gratis. The election returns showed
that the people wanted a change, and
without giving any public cause why
ga z+1,,.. Il
office, the voters gave Arthur B. Cal
llns. the democratic nominee the
Office by q larger majority than was
ever accorded q political candidate III
New London.
In addition to being Judge of Pro-
bate, Mr.. Colt was also the republi-
can registrar of voters and it is en-
tirely due to his work that the party
is so well cared for. so far as goes
the canvass for voters and the pre-
paration of the voting lists In fact
he does practically al! the work of
preparing the list of voters, as the
democratic registrar present and some
of the past have left this work almost
wholly with Judge Colt.
judge Calkins has already snnounc-
ed that he will appoint Charles E
of the court, and in addition will have
a stenogra pher and typewriter, that
the work of the office may be carried
on eNpeditiousiy and satisfactorily to
all having business with the probate
court 1t is his intention to give the
public the best possible service even
if the personal emolument of the Of
flee are diminished, and be it known,
that the Judge of probate is not q
salaried position but is entitled to all
the legal fees that come to the office,
just as is the office Of town clerk.
Judge Caikins is lawyer Of long
experience, and was a student Of pro-
bate law in the office of his father
wears ago. when the elder Calkins was
Judge Of probate for the town of
East Lyme The judge has also had
considerable legislative experience.
having represented East Lyme for
several terms in the state legislature,
serving on important committees ana
active in the business conduct of the
house He has been resident of
New London a comparatively snort
time. although his law office mas been
in the city ever since he was adj
rnitted to tine bar nearly twenty years
ago. So he has always been con-
sidered a New Lo1ldoner when he was
a voter in the town of East Lyme.
He is no greenhorn in the game OF
politics and perllap s his personal and
gum shoe campaign had much to Go
with defeating Judge Colt for the Off
ce that was considered to be for him
of life tenure, and by such an I'M
precedented majority at that
in the recent city election William
White, democrat was elected to the
board of selectmen, as the minority
member and by a larger vote than
was given SeIectmen HENDERSON and
Schwaner, and according to custom
should have been classed as first
selectman and chairman of the coun-
ell committee on town affairs. Mayor
Mahan in announcing the standing
committees named Mr.. Kennerson as
chairman. thereby recognizing him as
first selectman. Mr.. White did not
object, but quietly took the matter up
with Corporation Counsel William j.
Brennan, and received his written
opinion sto the effect that Mr.. White
was entitled to be considered as first
selectrnan. although the title brought
with 1T no special recognition, under
the consolidated roNn anu city sys-
TEN, unless it were the chaIFnAnS1ap
OF the committee on rown aT1aIfs as
well as chairman when sftLlng az a
registra ton board in making VOTERS.
MIR. White declares that If he by
reason of having received the highest
number of votes is entitled to the
chairinanshfp he Will insist upon his