The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-18
IS FOLD GUARDS" FINISH IN SIGHT? Excellent Chance of Democratic Success in StratfOrd
 This Fall View of Situation as Noted by an Experienced Observer Beardsley and JudsOn
 in Accord
Special to The Farmer,

Stratford, Sept. 1S.-In what prom 1 ises to result in one of the bitterest contested elections witnessed in,-thas section in many years. the toWnS of Stratford is seething like a heated cauldron to-day with political com ment, recriminations and aspersions. The Old Guard, once a dominant fac tor in the@pOlltical arena, is today fighting for it's existence, with inter nal strife rampant and defection from its ranks which predicts. it's com plste annihilation unless strings can be drawn to hold it together until the crisis is past
 With the nomination of their favor ite candidate, Charles H. WelleS, for the office of first selectman, at the recent Republican caucus, with a ma jority of but four votes, and the pub lie dissatisfaction at the choice which has subsequently, been heard at large over the selection, as well as the strong candidates advanced for office the expressed belief of even Republi- can of1Ece-holders that the old time dominant ring will no longer be able to whip their ticket through to vic tory.
 The Republican Town committee has defection within it's own ranks, was the statement made by promi- nent Etratford Republican today. He said: s'FTederiok Starr Beardsley, chairman of the Republican commit tee. and Stiles Judson, also a mem
 
 the town committee that the time has come when the clique who have dona-, hated the party should be abolished. They are working together with that end in view
 It is further staetd from authorfta- tive sources that 1t was solely through the efforts of Mr. Judson who felt kindly to Mir welles that the latter was nominated.
 The .'Buu Moose element in the Republican party having decided to Alon f0h hrof in rarif n regular nominations will greatly ham, per the Old Guard in their efforts to push throagh their candidates, as hoard to express open dfsapprobationl Of the choice made.
 A caucus for state nominations will be held by the Republicans on Oct 1s, when selection of six justices of the peace, two representatfv and a judge of probate will be made. Judge C. W. Peck, who has held these offices for a number of years past, yesterday declared himself a candidate for jus ttce of peace and judge of probate resentative are William H. Crawford. Alexander St. John, Charles F. Jud- son, J. Henry Blakeman. F. B. Blake man and Frank Conine-
 erable bearing upon politics in Strat- ford has recently been the topic of in teresting conversation Tn local circles, Is the persistent rumor that many re- ceipts issued by the justice of the peace's office, showing detailed pay ments to constables. grand jurors and witnesses, have become mis1aid and are not to be found. It. is stated that while similar receipts Issued by the selectmen can be found for a period extending back five years, only the current years receipts of the justices office can be seen- Strong comment is rife concerning the whereabouts of these receipts, and that a rigid inves- tigatfon is liable to be instituted un- less they are found to be intact, seems probable
 From present political indications in the town, the outlook flor the unity of the Republican party at the polls 1 seems slim and predictions that the | Democrats will elect at least one | Representative have been rife among l the politicians credited with keen in sight of local affairs 4