The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-01
CONTINUED From First Page.)

Hartford, Oct. Edward T. Lyons,
of this city, member of Gov. Bald
wins staff, was, this morning, sworn
in as a commissioner of Hartford
County, in the county commissioners
office. Ernest F. Watkins of Man
chester, whom Lyons was appointed
by Gov. Baldwin to succeed, refused
to relinQuish the office and turn over
the keys of his desk and the books
and papers. AS a result, Major Lyons
is bringing quo warranto proceedings
to get Mr.. Watkins out on agreement
of counsel for both sides. The Ques-
ton will go to the supreme court on
reservations and statement of acts at
the earliest possible date.
Meantime, it is agreed that Mr.. Wat
kins shall not sign any liquor licenses
or other papers that might result in
future legal entanglem eIlts a1th ough he
will act in a clerical capacity for the
board. It is also agreed that he will
not draw any salary beginning Oct. 1,
pending the settlement of the question
by the supreme court
AS asimi1ar situation exists in six
counties in the state. there is much
interest in the proceedings to be
brought to determine the commission
ership in Hartford County and it is
viewed in the nature of a test case.
At the last session of the general
assembly Andrew Steele, of East
Windsor, was the Republican caucus
nominee for commissioner and Charles
J. Cunning of Hartford, was nominal
ed by the Democrats. The election
did not go to either because of dis
agreeing action, the House voting for
Steele and the Senate for Cunning.
The general assembly having made no
choice, Governor Baldwin appointed
Major Lyons to take office October l.
This date on the political calendar
was presumably moving day for a Re
publican on each of the eight county
an
tirenlent from office of Commissioner
Charles D. Moves, of New London
County, in favor of his Democratic
successor, Albert H Lamphere, who
was elected by the last general
sembIy. In the other seven counties,
there was a deadlock where Democrats
have chosen a man of that political
faith while the Republicans stood 10y
ally by the Republican whose term
presumably expired today
Earfy indications were that six of
the seven Republican commissioners
whose commissions ran until today
will endeavor to hold their office
against the same number of Democrats
who hold commissions given by Gov
ernor Baldwin. The appointment of
seven Democrats was made by the
governor on the ground that as the
general assembly had failed to choose.
he had the power to- fill vacancies
which would exist today. AS in the
interior courts, lawyers disagree as to
the Interpretation Of the constitution
The question as it relates to Judges
is soon to be brought before the SUI
pFeme court Of errors Today, the
Republican county commissioners took
steps to make their status a, test The
judgeship contest rests on the appoint
ment to the Hartford city court bench.
The test on the county commissioner
ship VIII be made through the refusal
OF Commissioner F. Ernest Watkins
at Hartford. to surrender his Office to
Major 3. T. Lyons, Democrat, appoint
ed by the governor
MT Noyess retirement comes after
a service of Il years The other mem
bers of the board, B. D.. Brown and c.
H. Smith, Republicans, serve until Oct
I, 1913 In windham; county, Lebbius
e. Smith, the appofntee, was TO be in
vfted to sit with the board at its meet
ing. e. H. Cor1fss, Republican, not
surrendering his office but resting his
contention on the tests which Mr.. Wat
kins Is to make in Hartford county
against Major Lyons
In New Haven county, the appo1ntee
is James H. C1oonan, of Merfden,