Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-31
CONGRESSMAN HIGGINS
 SERVED VERY SATISFACTORILY Was Strongest Candidate Party Could
 Have Named for New District.


 Regarding Congressman Higgins announced retirement from congress at the close of his present term. the New London Day says:
 The news comes as a surprise, Up to within a short time it was generally understood that he would seek nom nation in the new Second congress sional district. Evidently he has con- cluded that the game is not worth the candle.
 A congressman's life is not altogeth- CT a bed of roses. Some men are pe- culiarly adapted to it. others are not. After eight years of experience Con gressman Higgins has, no doubt dis covered that political life has it's dis advantages as well as its allurements. He left a very lucrative and growing law practice eight years ago to enter upon the uncertain tenure of political office, and now, upon retirement, will have to begin his legal career anew. Fortunately, he is still a young man, with the best of his years yet before him.
 As a congressman MT. Higgins has served the old Third district very sat isfactorily. He has never been d shoWy member of congress, but he has been diligent faithful, persistent when seeking an object, and has succeeded in great measure in supplying the wants of his constituents. He has served on important committees, and has grown steadily. both in influence among his colleagues and in the meas Ure of statesmanship.
 His determination to retire leaves the field open to many aspirants. Who will the republicans choose as a can- didate for the place? It will need q strong man to satisfy the demands of the voters of the district In the opinion of The Day. Congressman Higgins was the strongest candidate the party could have named. No oth- CT available republican measures up to his standard.
 More is expected of a congressman in these progressive days than ever before and the voters of the new Sec ond district are no exception in this respect. The fetish of party nomina- ton and party regularity is not sufff- cient to carry a candidate through. He must be personally acceptable to the voters, he must be able to show them why he should receive their suffrage. Voters of all political faiths want men Of action, men of force men who can hold their own on the stump, to rep resent them. If their own party can didate does not fill the bill they will turn to another
 Soon there will be scramble among republican candidates for Congress- man Higgins discarded shoes. Let it not be thought for a moment they will be easy to fill.
 Hiss Successor.
 With Congressman Higgins out of the way there will be numerous can didates for the nomination of con- gressman in the new Second district The district now comprises four coun- ties, Holland and Middlesex, besides New London and Windham. Wind ham county may have several repub- lican candidates, conspicuous above all being eX-Attorney General w A. King. He is one of the few orators in the party and in this respect towers far and above all the others. The trouble has been he won't use his abiT- ities. Ex-Secretary of State Charles E. Searles is another likely candidate In Holland county there is Senator W. H. Hall of Wilmington, a politician of long experience, who has been steadily growing in popular estimation l Senator Hall is one of the summer colonists at Neptune park, New Lon don. Another Holland county man tc 1 be reckoned with Is ex-Attorney | Charles Phelps of Rockville. He is d republican of the old school, suave ana distinguished
 In Middlesex county no candidate is l likely to appear. Ex-Governor Weeks | of Middletown, has been mentioned | but 1t is announced that he will not be
 d candidate. New London county has not yet put in q claim, bus it is not unlikely that seme of it's aspir4Sg poli-
 ticiaHs will get into the game later i on.
 No matter whom the republicans i pick out. he will have no easy tasl
 getting elected. Three out of the foul counties now have democratic ten. i dencies and it will take some able mar 1 to keep them in line, particularly i 1 the democrats unite upon a strong
 candidate. As matter of fact oI
 the democratic side of the house thu field seems clear for New London! l tap Moh hon