Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-01
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 cal party lines have been decidedly elastic. and, so it is said, Brandegee voted for Mahan and Mahan voted for Brandegee. But with both men cand idates for the same office on their party tickets the line might be tightly drawn, with chances favorable to Brandegee, as New London is conceded to be re- publican by a large majority.
 Still it is the unexpected that some times happens in politics and Mahan may gather in the great many repuo- lican votes that have so often elected him to the highest office within the gift of the people who know him best Under the circumstances the action of the New London Business Mems asso- citation in mixing into the political game does not meet with general favor, especially by the purely republican members who have no favorites to play and are for party first, last and all the time.
 There are men in New London, now posing as republican leaders who were real leaders in the democratic party in the days that have gone, but not for gotten; men who have served on the democratic town committee and really played the party game to the limit. After years of service, in active party error of their political party and switched off into the party of the peo- ple-the grand old party, and in so doing receive the reward that was due them in the democratic party, but which was not forthcoming These converts have been elected as repub- licans to city and state offices and now one of them is being groomed to sue ceed Congressman Bryan F. Mahan, All of which demonstrates that the re- publican party is ever on the alert to select the best candidate possible for OfflPRG r6l of acAr a-fx tion. provided they are thorough re= publidAns at the time of nomination and have proved their fealty to repub- ican political principles.
 In this connection, it respectfu ly suggested that the convention of the republican party to nominate a cand- idate for congress be invited to New London by the New London Business Mems association, and that the asso- citation go step farther and ask that New Londoner be nominated. If the association intends to get into the po- lItical game the cards should be play ed to the full limit and every play made to win.
 Although New London is republican by perhaps three hundred or more the present court of common council is democratic by seven. This is account ed for by the vote in the ward system, some giving large republican majori- ties while others are democratic by small margin. Therefore the general local conditions would not prevail was the vote taken in voting districts rather than wards and the electors voting for all the party candidates. At the coming election five aldermen and three selectmen will be elected and should these be all republicans the complexion of the council politically will be changed, although such a resutt IS hardly nrnnahlp ha men are Alton T. Miner, democrat in the first ward, Charles H. Thompson republican, in second ward, William Harrlgan. democrat, in third ward Thomas Cleary, democrat, fourth ward and Eugene T. Kirkland. republican in the fifth ward. Of these Aldermen Harrigan and Kirkland have an- nounced that they will not be candi- dates for reelection. MT. Harrigan has had his first dip into politics and | ne has no desire to continue in the game. Mir. Kirkland has served sev- eral terms and his many friends. re- gardless of politics are urging him tc accept renomination, and it is believ ed | he will yield
 Alton T. Miner, the alderman from 1 the hrst, has been in politics ever | since he has been in town He never I has declined political nomination anG | he probably never will until he lands | some political office that carries witf | It a big fat salary. such as postmaster l Charles H. Thompson has served z I term as alderman from the second ward and wants to serve some more so as to be in line for some other poIit. | 1cal- ofnee later on. He has the Iegis. l lative bee in his panama.
 Thomas P. Cleary has also served enc term in the council as alderman | from the fourth. He would accent re. 1 nomination, but has no aspiration fol | higher office.
 So from the present indications ii 1 appears that all the retiring aldermen will be renominated except Mir liar. | rlngton, who Is positive in his. declina. | ton. The three selectmen will be elected this year, the term being foI
 two years while that of an alderman
 IS three years. The present selectmer are William White. James Woodwork | democrats. and Byron Zones, republi.
 can, and they would accept renomina. | tion.