New Britain herald., 1916-10-21

panv south of the railroad tracks that protects the business center or the large manufacturing plants in the central and southern part of the city. In case of a serious blaze in any of these places that company can now easily be the first on the scene. The fact that there is always the chance that the other centrally located com panies north of the tracks may be hindered at the Main street crossing in an emergency would add to the risk that would be entailed in moving this company. By all means keep Engine company No. for the protec- ton of the center and if additional protection is needed organize another company and build a new station.
 A most unusual and embarrassing situation confronted a recently we'd ded couple when, after they had sup posed that they were legally married they learned that due to a technical ity they were not. The couple resided in another town and secured their license there but decided to wed here, so visited a local clergyman who tied the knot. The b1ushing bride and happy groomsman left and were about to depart on their honeymoon from the home of a friend when they received a telephone call from the ex- cited minister who informed them that due to a legal technicality with which he was heretofore unfamiliar their marriage was not entirely proper and it would be better should they be married in the town in which they took out their license. Then were more blushes from the bride, expres- sions, but not bushes, from the groomsman and the honeymoon had to be postponed another day in order that the clergyman and the partly married pair could go the next day to the town where the license WAS issued and be truly married. As far as is known this is the first instance in this state where such an embarrassing slip-up has occurred but the minister Is not at fault as he is a new one in New Britain and not familiar with the Connecticut laws. Another pe- cul1ar coincidence In connection with this same wedding was that the brides grandfather gave her a sub stantial check as wedding present but unfortunately made it out payable to her maiden name, hence he had to make out another one before she could cash it. But now they are married and, we hope will live happy everafter.
 The post election strife that for a time threatened to disrupt politics in Berlin is signal victory for the auto matic voting machines such as are used in New Britain. Tn Berlin the old fashioned Australian ballot Is used The moderator is sole judge of what goes to make a ballot worth less and if the cross opposite a candi- date is not properly placed the vote can be cast out. It is on these tech nical grounds that N. L. Beckley sue cessfully contested the election of w. l. filling who was at first declared elected by one vote. While such ac- tion may be technically fair, it is often not practically so. When cross is marked opposite a candidates name, but possibly outside of the designated circle the moderator can question it. Practically there is no doubt as to the intention of the voter to name this particular man, yet be- cause of carelessness in failing to be artistically exact in the marking his vote may be lost and his favorite suf- Itl. NOW W1IH IIG young naCnlno this is impossible. Understanding the manipulation of the machine the vote cast is for the man wanted and there is no question. It is possible for the machine to jam and cause trouble, as in Hartford a couple of years ago, but these occurrences are not probable In counting the votes the machine also is superior. Where tol tn ballots. it is merely a matter of minutes with the machine. Truly, New Britain has done well to be equipped with these voting machines
 The football season is now going full blast. So are the original CD jokers who insist on retelling the story about the excited feminine fan who calls the newspaper office on tho phone and being told that the score was to 0 asks '1n whose favor"
 
 Opinion during tho past week seems to have grown in the belief that the race between G. W. Klett and G. M Landers for senator will be much closer than first expected. Both sides are confident the one declared they have no cause for worry and the other stating that they will come out 9 winner It would appear however, that much depends on the way New Britain goes on the presidential issue It has been Wagered during the week that if Hughes carries New Britain by 500 majority Klett will nose out d winner, but if he does not do as good as that Landers stands an excellent chance.
 A local physician recently got some free advertising by the fact that when arrested for passing a standing trolley car with his auto in a small town he the courts decision against him and paid a fine of $5 and