Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-29
EXPRESSIONS ON DEATH t OF BEHAVIOR THAYER
Man of Much Ability,

1 Charles F. Thayer, who died sud- i denly in Norwich last evening, was |, prominent public character at one time in the state. He was the nom- | inee of the democracy for governor in 1906 and represented his district tn the state senate. He was a. man of much ability. but he seems to have shown with greater iustre as a mu- nlcipal officer than as a state char acter, he having served several terms as mayor of Norwich and some notable Improvements came to that city during his administrations. His constituents thought great deal about him and he always proved worthy Of their confl- dence-New Britain Herald.
 i Believed in the People.
 l The death of former Mayor Thaysr Of Norwich means the passing Of a man who played no small part in the politics of Connecticut during the past twenty years. Charles F. Thayer was a man of ideas. In our judgment Connecticut missed it when she did he was too sincere for the controlling element In his party. That party could nominate him when defeat was 7 certain. When it had a chance for victory it yielded to the various DOW erfui interests and named a reaction ery
 Former Mayor Thayer gave Norwich an admirable city government and was four times it's chief executive. No wonder they elected him again and again in a city ordinarily republican.
 MT. Thayer's career was typical of New England. He was born in a small town. He attended the public schools. Then he studied stenography and afterwards laW:e He excelled in both. He took to politics as a demo- munity and section naturally repub- lican, his success Is all the more a ! tribute to his worth and to the judg- ment of the voters.
 The state senate brought him to the front He was elected from a repub- ncan district in 1890 and was at Hart ford durir- the deadlock year He ran for congress several times in the old Third district, always strongly re- publican. He took an active part in democratic state politics, but was not in good favor with his party's state machine because he could not be twisted into anything resembling "a corporation man." He had no influence but his own merit, hence 1t was that Meibert E. Cary. who belongs in New York. and sleeps in Connecticut, beat him for the nomination for governor in 1902, when the sentiment of the party was. behind him. the rnanipula- tors defeating him. He was nominated in 1906 but the machine did not want to elect him. He made his own plat form and it was advanced. In the light Of subsequent happenings 1t was nnisfortune that he did not win. He strongly favored that public super vision of public service corporations influences which opposed this reform were then in control of both the old parties and he had no show.
 Former Mayor Thayer's creed was a firm belief in the people. He thought the democratic party was the best me dium for this, but he lived to realize that its machine sailed at times under false colors and was in reality nothing but an adjunct to the famous repubfi- can organization. He was a man of speaker and thoroughly sincere. He was useful to the community fin which he lived and might have been useful to his state had he lived in a section where his party had more chance.- Bridgeport Post.
 One of city's Notable Men.
 Charles F. Thayer came of strong stock and it is no wonder he was one of Norwich's notable men. With bet ter fortune. or better judgment he might have been one of the country's noted men. He was at one time a conspicuous figure in Connecticut poll tics. being regarded as one of the most active and radical leaders of the dem ocratic party. At home, for some years. while mayor through several successive terms. he was an arbiter of public affairs and used his position to high degree of usefulness. There was nothing very tactful about MT. Thaysr. He was a fighter from start to finish, and by the positiVeness of his positions sacrificed much that might have been helpful to his personal in- terests. He will be long remembered and with sincere respect, not least. either, for the quality of his profess etonal career as a member of the bar. New London Telegraph.
 A ShreWd Observer.
 MT. Thayer had served in the leg- islature and had been his party's can. didate for governor. He observed puo- lie and political affairs shrewdly and intelligently and had the faculty of dissecting it so that others could see thc inner workings He was one of Cohnecticut's most interesting citizens. Hartford Post.
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