Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-12
Sarcastic Denunciation of New London Mayor in
 Debate on Highway Commissionershp
CALDWELL TURNED DOWN BY VOTE OF 18 TO 1e
Five Democratic Senators Refuse Confirm Governors Nomnee-Queston to His Qualifications Raised Claim of Laxity in Sewage Work at New Brtain-Gov- ernor Baldwin Canvass State For Competent Man.

Hartford, Conn. Feb 1.-The sen ate refused to confirm the nomination of William H. Caldwell as hfghwa. commissioner, by a vote of IS to 16 late this afternoon after a long debate The action was brought about by f1ry democrats jointly with the 13 repub ficans in declining to confirm. I'm mediately thereafter the unfavorablt report of Senators LanderS and ISbell RS a majority of the committee on ex. ecutive nominations, was accepted b, the same vote and the motion to re consider was voted down by like fig ures. The name of MT. Caldwell hay ing been rejected, the senators now look forward to a new nomination by the governor, as was the case two years ago when three names were sen in
 Doubt as to Governors Course.
 In the minds of some members; how sver. there rose the Ques ton whether pr not the governor would send in 8 name at an early date They thought the executive might wait for the at torney general to file charges against Highway Commissioner Macdonald and then look for an early adjudfca- lion of that matter before the superior rourt.
 The opinion of the attorney gen. sral that MT. Macdonald is simply a holdover, made other senators believe that the governor would still insist on making a nomination to fill the va,can- ey which he asserted has existed since July 1, 1911, and which was referred to in the communication to the sen Rte bearing, MT. CadwelPs name.
 Governors Power Not Questioned.
 The attitude of the republicans in the senate as expressed by both MT. Perry and Mrs. IsbeIl in debate this afternoon, was to the effect that the only question at issue was as to the qualification of MT. Caldwell to be con- ~f@,e-H T-I@ as a member of the committee on ex- ecutive nominations declared that the opinion of the attorney general to the committee was conclusive. The gov ernor had a right to make an appoint ment
 The defeat of the Eyarts bill in the house which the demok'ats claimed was aimed to hold MT. Macdonald in office pending disposition of the charges made against him by the gov ernor, cleared the way of this teehni- cality raised against an appointment to the office at this time.
 Three Bolt Democratic Caucus.
 The debate over MT. CadweITs name extended through a period of two and a half hours. It was confined almost entirely to the evidence which the committee on executive nominations had taken through a stenographer. There was very little Aggression from the evidence except in the summing
 
 the nominee by Senator McDonough in behalf of the democrats who want ed MT. Caldwell and by Senator Isbell sn defense of the majority report.
 A long caucus of the democrats had given almost conclusive indication that MT. Caldwell would lose. The caucus was bolted by three members when 1t was proposed to pass a vote binding all to stand by the caucus action but such a motion finally was not pressed as several said that they did not favor 1t, being fair-minded enough to be willing to listen to the reports as pre- termined just how they should vote. The forecast proved to be a true one as five democrats did not stand by Governor Baldwin.
 The RoIIcaIl.
 The ro1lcal was as follows: For confirma tion-J. McA. Johnson, Purcell Frolich. Quinn. Shanley, Neebe. McDonough, Hurley, Mccarthy. Avery, Newman. McNeil Jr., Whit comb, Peck. Weed, Foster. All dem ocrats, 16.
 Against-cheney: Stevens, Cotton. Wadhams, Gaylord. G. H. Johnson, Reynolds and Keeney, republicans; Landers (New Britain), Miner (New London). F. A. Johnson (MontviIle), Aletown), democrats, 18.
 
 On the other two roHcalIs there were no changes. When Senator flanders voted there was slight noise in the well filled galleries which sounded very much like a hiss from many mouths. Once there was an outburst of applause from the audience after Senator Mccarthy had made a yigor ous speech in upholding his own re- port in favor of MT Caldwell as the minority member. Lieutenant Gov ernor Tingier brought his gaveI down with a bang and declared that the galleries would be cleared at once if there was any more demonstration
 A Poetic AIIusion to Mahan.
 After that only the senators ap- p1auded. which they did several times especially after Senator AIcDonougb had vigorously summed Up the case for Mir. Caldwell and after Senator Peck had surprised everyone by an or- atorical effort which included liberal had coined many apt phrases. and had. in a1Iuding to Mir. A1ahan of New Lon don, demanded of the democrats an answer to his question whether they who was born at Austerlitz by the sea"
 Lively Party Caucus.
 The party caucus was a very lively affair and there was a frank exchange of opinion there as to party action.
 He cOIullittcC lOPOi lS WSIS IcCclVcQ in open session which action mo- ton of Senator McNeil came as a surprise as executive nominations are almost invariably considered behind closed doors. This gave house metn- bers an opportunity to fill the galleries although scores of them had gone home not anticipating an open debate.
 Caldwell Not Qualified.
 Senator Landers spoke briefly for the b1e report, being against AIr. Caldwell on the general ground that ha was not fully qualified for the com Senator Isbell then took up the burden of reviewing the evidence in support of the contention of Mir Cadwe1is lack of qualification, prefacfng his remarks by ah assHF- ance that the eSnmiftes had worked and thoroughly, thGat on his part there was no political biass that