The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-05
BRIDGEPORT
 CITY COURT
 CONTEST ON
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rom rage On6.) question of judgeships. Representa- tive Wilson said that the majority of the delega,tion-three out of five-fa- vored MT. Bent's appointment.
 Former City Attorney Thomas M Cullinan said that the custom had been to rotate the officials of the court as the political complexion changed and the system had not af- fected the quality of the service MT. Bent is leading member of the bar in his city and county and the proper judicial temperament.
 Ex-Mayor E. T. Buckingham and J. J. O'Nei1l stated briefly that they favored MT. Bent's appointment giv- ing cogent reasons therefor.
 Herbert Hill said that MT. Bent-or Judge Bent as he felt he would soon be called-is a leading lawyer and is at present trying the great majority of the justice eases in Bridgeport, be- cause the lawyers have the utmost confidence in his fairness and impar- tiality. His temperament and exper- fence fit him admirably for the judge ship.
 The resolutions appointing Robert G. DeFOrest deputy judge and Thom- as c. Coughlin, judge of the court were taken up together. Senator Newman said he didn't want to go in to politics too much but these gentle men were entitled to the places. MT. Coughlin is a man of the highest character and ability, has had much experience as a trial justice and the recommendation of his appointment and MT. DeForest's would be a wise course for the committee to pursue.
 Coroner John Phe1an said both Messrs. CoughIin and DeForest stand in the front rank of their profession and both have been honored by their fellow citizens. He said MT. DeForest had inherited the legal mental make up of his father. He said he spoke of Judge Coughlin simply as a law yer. The speaker said he personally is not tied up with any faction He has been in the probate court and made a very competent official.
 George Finn was next called upon by Senator McNeil, who conducted the hearing on the Coughlin and De- Forest resolution. He favored Cough lin and DeForest.
 In introducing Liquor Agent A. L. Merritt, Senator NTcNeil said he wish ed to show that Republicans as well as Democrats favored Judge Coughlin and MT. DeFOrest-
 Harbormaster Garry Paddock and Frank B. Clark also spoke in favor of Coughlin and DeForest.
 City Clerk Stephen Boucher spoke.
 James H. O'Rourke spoke in favor of Judge Coughlin and MT. DeForest.
 J. B. Klein was the last person
  oughlin-DeFo combination.
 At this point Senator McDonough, who presided said the committee was in a quandary because all of the tes- timony offered was so laudatory that it led one member of the committee to remark that if it was all true every candidate mentioned should be made a judge.
 Senator McDonough said while the | lack of pyrotechnics was very edify- 1 ing it wasn't very instructive.
 Senator McNeil said Representative 1 McMurray and City Clerk Boucher | might be able to furnish the desired l verbal pyrotechnics. Rep. McMurray said great stress | had been laid on the fact that Judge | Coughlin had been elected judge of | probate. He would like to ask Clerk | Boucher the figures. The latter re- | piled that he had doubt if Judge | CoughIin went before the people to- | morrow he would be elected.
 ''He has avoided the question:" said l Representative McMurray, "and I | would like to inform you that there ] was a question quite general in the 1 city of Judge Cough1in's election, the 1 first time and when he was up for l reelection he was beaten by over 1, ,7OO.''
 Rep. Wilson closed the debate, say ing: ''The distinguished Senate chair nan has raised a question of .prepon- l