New Britain herald., 1916-10-28
70nn Topics

The political situation in New Brit
 ain IS growing more complex each day. Representatives of both parties
 breathe an opinion of genuine and
 unassumed optimism for the success Of their nominees on November 2,
 but the conditions in New Britain on
 both state and national issues are such that any predictions may be
 surprisingly upset when the final vote
 Is counted. An attempted analysis
 however, indicates that the strong
 republican majority here may be
 greatly reduced. New Britain is nor raa1ly 8 republican stronghold with a
 majority of about 1900. Were the conditions surrounding the fall cleo ton normal this majority might be expected to hold true. But conditions are not normal. They are abnormal and the voters realize it The voting citizens of New Britain read and think for themselves and during the past two or three weeks there has been a surprising change of republican sen timent in favor of Wilson. In some the feeling is fostered by the belief that in time of national crisis, when all the rest of the world Is involved in war, it is best to let well enough alone. To leave the reins of the government in the hands of a man who has been tried, rather than try the untried. Ihese statements the republicans will oeny, but general sentiment expressed would ho son sentiment is really gaining here With these opinions in mind is firmly believed that the republican majority for Hughes will be cut down material
 ly and some of the more optimistic democrats have ventured to predict that Tn this city Hughes will not rol more within several hundred of what a G. o. P. man should. In view of the hot national campaign, the general state ticket is almost forgot ten, but general opinion seems to in- dicate that the higher offices will go to the republican forces, with GoV- ernor Holcomb and State Treasurer F. s. Cham berlain being returned to office. But while the national and Gubernatorial election Is an event of great interest in this city, the con- test of Senator George w. Klett. re- publican, and Senator George M. Landers, democrat, for the general assembly honors is the paramount is- sue and all others fall in the shadows when compared to it locally. Both men are popular and both men are standing on their merits of past per- formances well done. As a sporting proposition, MT. Klett should be the favorite over MT. Landers, due to rarty strength, but it is argued that renewed political popularity, much slashing of the republican ticket on national issues and a whirlwind cam paign among the Polish voters of the city should count heavily in MT. Landers' favor. Where MT. Klett should under normal conditions win hands down, 1t is now believed that the contest will be unusually close, and while the odds would predict the 1atter's election, it is by no means as- sured. Lonergan and Landers are ex- pected to run ahead of their ticket.
 It is with interest that many of the older citizens of this city read dur ing the past week of an old fashianed spelling bee that is to be held be- tween the adult members of the Par ents' and Teachers association of the Smith and Northend schools. With the growth of the cities and the in crease in public amusements these old fashioned spelling bees have ceased to exist except in rural com- edies or way down east stories. Years ago, however, in the days of the little old red school house, the husking bee days and the house rais- ing days, days not yet forgotten by many New Britain people. spelling off fnS nf n Cf r the community. A large crowd of community dwelIers assembled to- gether, a couple of "captains' would be chosen and then sides would be selected The competitors would line up on opposite sides of the room and a judge would then read from spell ing book. First a member of one team would be given a word to spell and then the other side would be given a chance. AS soon as one com petitor rnisspelled a word that party had to sit down. Thus the friendly contest of knowledge would wax fu- rio1sly until at last only two would be left. Finally one of the would fail to correctly spell a. given word and the other would be declared victori- ous. During the entire procedure, however, there would be much amusement. OItlmeS the neretOfOrG best speller would fail on simple word, much to the amusement of the rest. Those were the good old days.
 With the civil service commission
 about to give examinations and the safety board to make an appointment
 as captain in the fire department many of the firemen, and public as
 well, feel that the civil service tests
 in this connection are not really the
 best way to select the most capable
 man If ic arpIa1 that a fireman who