New Britain herald., 1914-07-29
S|DETRACK BABCOCK
 WITH SECOND PLACE
May Get Him to Withdraw in JohR-
 sons Favor Before Caucus.
DEMOCRATS HOPE FOR CONTEST

Will Be DisSipated Before Fall.-
 Consider Judge Byington As Proba- ble Nominee For Representative.
 Believing that the contest for the republican nomination for first select man may cause a split in the party and improve the chances of the dem ocratic candidate, local followers of Wilson are making a careful survey of the field in the hope of locating the proper man to head the ticket at the town election in October. Accord ing to party leaders there are no can didates in the field at the present time and it is considered unlikely that there will be a contest for the demo- cratic selection.
 Democrats figure that with William J. Johnson and George $. Babcock fighting for the republican nomination there will be a splendid chance for their candidate, if he happens to be at all popular with the voters and when they hold their caucus early in September they will make a deter mined effort to get good vote getter in the field. Edward F. Prior has been spoken of as a likely candidate and his friends believe he would run well, should he allow his name to be used. c. c. Woodford, the party's candidate last year, is also consid- cred as a good opponent$sof the re- publican's choice but it is doubtful if he would again consent to enter the field.
 While both MT. Babcoclo and MT. Johnson are avowed candidates for the republican nomination, leaders of the G. O. P. expect that before cau- GUS time some plan will be devised to eliminate a contest It has been whis- pered in some circles that to satisfy MT. Babcock, leaders will offer him a place on the ticket as nominee for second selectman with a promise of the first position next year. It would not be surprising if this concession satisfies him and he withdraws in fav- or. of the present selectman. Under present conditions he practically serves as a member of the board in his capacity as clerk and gives Se- lectman Johnson great deal of assis- tance.
 The republicans have not shown any disposition to worry over the se- lection of new town committee chairman, H. c. Thompson, the pres ent incumbent, having expressed the intention of resigning this fall, ana the matter of picking his successor has not been given any very serious thought. The place is one not usual ly sought, but the leaders believe that there are several good workers in the party who would be willing to accept it.
 Candidates for representative ap- pear to be in hiding and according to political workers, who are usually well informed, no one is displaying any great anxiety over the probable action of the caucus in this matter.
 The prospects for the republican candidate for the general assembly are considered very bright this fall and even the staunchest democrats see but little hope for their candidate. Probate Judge George R. Byington has been mentioned as republican possibility, although he has made no announcement concerning his candi- dacy. Judge Byington was candi- date a year ago, but he withdrew in favor of Representative Garter and consequently should be entitled to some consideration this year when the slate is being prepared. He proved himself to be a remarka ble vote- getter last fall when he defeated M. O. Ryder for judge of probate, a re- suit which was the surprise of the election. Judge Byington is also an assessor and is keenly interested in town affairs. His nomination, many democrats concede, would be equiva- lent to an election.
 Cafferty Gets a Chance.
 Charles Cafferty, who was too in- toxicated to be tried yesterday morn ing when his case was scheduled to come up before Justice E. P. Prior in connection with those of three other we'll known characters who drew jail sentences for participating in a beer party in back of Mason's blacksmith shop Monday night, last evening entered plea of guilty to the charges of drunkenness and breach of the peace.
 He begged the court for clemency and promised to keep sober and re- turn to work if leniency was shown him. As Cafferty is not a regular member of the gang which makes the center it's headquarters, Justice Prior was inclined to give him chance and he let him off with $2 fine
 There was considerable favorable comment today on the action of the officers in starting a campaign against curbstone decorators and it is gener- ally hoped that it will be vigorously