Evening journal., 1914-03-03

DEFEATED In
MIDDLETOWN
Second Attempt to Inject
Party Politics Into Election
Repudiated by Voters
MAJORITIES THE
LARGEST EVER GIVEN

Partisan politics received a shock
in Middletown yesterday, when the
Democratic ticket, which had been
placed in the field at the town elec-
tion. was Overwhelmingly repudiated
by the voters. the Citizens ticket be-
ing elected by a large majority. The
election was setback for j. r.
Foard and Alison A. Cleayer. Demo
cratic leaders Of Middletown.
The two candidates for Town Com
missioners on the Citizens ticket,
Walter ). Letherbury and James
Redgrave. we're elected over their
Democratic opponents. Joseph Han
son and David 7. Allen. by the
largest majorities that have ever
been given a town official in Middle
town. due to the fact that the Demo
Gratis at the town election last year
injected partisan politics into the cleo
ton.
Mr. Letherbury received 154 votes
and Mr.. Redgraye 1856. as against 81
for Mr.. Hanson and 81 for Mr.. Allen
The balance of the ticket was en-
dorsed by both parties. This con-
sisted Of S. S. HoltOn, for town as
SCISSOR. he receiving 175 votes, and
John S. Crouch. for town treasurer.
he receiving 1870 votes. For alder
man. A. c. Cox received 149 votes.
The Board Of Town Commissioners
OF Middletown consists Of five mem
bers, two of which are elected one
year and three tho next This is
! the year for two 10 be elected with
, three holdoyor members.
! Two years ago the commissioners
+ inaugurated new system by electing
a town clerk TO collect all town
+ taxes and also to act rs the secre-
tary to the Town Commissioners and
( the Light and Water Commissioners
/ Daniel ". Stevens was first to he
appointed to this Office and he made
good
Because Mr.. Stevens is a Republi-
can some of the Democrats last yeaI
, held "A snap caucus. and nominated q
! Democratic ticket and conducted q
! whirlwind campaign. using for their
battlecry that MiddletOwn Is a Demo
cratic town and a Democratic ticke
( should he elected This Democrat,
ticket was elected before The people
had a chance to realize that IL mean
the Introduction Of partissn politics
into town elections. which had Al
ways bccn avoided in the past
The Democratic ticket WAS electc
by majority of 20 votes Ono Of m
commissioners elected refused O
vote against Mr.. Stevens and he. Wit
the two hOld-oycr members, rc-elcc'
ed him as town clerk.
On Friday. February 20, publ
meeting WAS held and every voter II
Middletown was invited 10 attend
A ticket was nominated at tha
time with Mcssrs. Letherbury an
Redgrave for commissioners. Mr.
Crouch for treasurer. Mr.. Holton 70
/ assessor and Alfred G. Cox for alder
man. All except Mr. Crouch and MI
Cox were Democrats, although "a
question of politics entered into Oh
selection Mr.. HoltOu and Mr.. Crouc
had filled the positions. TO whic
they we're renominated. for years.
Last Tuesday the Democrats hel
} = meeting and nominated Demo
cratic ticket headed by Messrs. Han
son and Allen for commissioners, an
endorsed Mr.. Holton and Mr.. Croucl
Some Of those present We're dis
satisfied. and endorsed the Citizens
Ticket. The election held yesterda
resulted IN 4 great victory for tn
Citizens Ticket. and was a repudia
ton Of partisan town elections.
After the first twenty votes wer
counted Cleaver bolted from the cleo
tion place i'm disgust because of tn
overwhelming defeat for his hcke
they forecasted.