New Britain herald., 1916-09-09
T0un Topics

Local politics is not providing very close contests these days and the fall campaign does not promise any. Not
 so in our neighboring town of Berlin, a veritable hotbed of republicanism William H. Gibney, for more than decade the republican ruler in the
 town that he has ruled as first select l man, is now after higher honors in
 the form of election to the legislature.
 His political path will not be strewn with flowers, however, for his old and worthy opponent, Col Charles M. Jarvis, has thrown his hat in the ring and will actively oppose the Selectman for this nomination. The doughty colonel is himself a past master in the political game and the much abused Gibney will have to extend himself to the limit to win out. Although MT. Gibney is admittedly a most capable 1 man in his position as selectman,
 there is nevertheless faction that op-
 poses him. This faction is by no
 means a small one, and with a power full man like Col. Jarvis as their cham pion there will certainly be hot fight in the little neighboring village.
 Indication of this long growing sentiment in Berlin showed itself on Friday evening when Judge Willard l. 1 filling, a long personal and political enemy of MT. Gibney, with his ma chine we'll oiled and running smoothly, crashed into the Gibney vehicle, and when the smoke had cleared away Gtbney had been defeated for the of flee of first selectman and filling had walked away with the nomination. For thirteen cCnsec cutive years MT. Gibney had been elected first select
 man and his defeat is one of the big of r. confidence on his part had something to do with it. However, his showing of last night does not promise much for his success in the representative campaign. It is possible that MT. G1b- ney may run for selectman on an ln- dependent ticket.
 News of the renomination of the Honorable Marcus H. Holcomb for governor of Connecticut was received by the majority of the voters in New Britain with something akin to a sigh of relief The rank and file of the voters wanted to see the genial old judge get the nomination, but realiz- ing that the politicians, possibly haV- ing axes of their own to grind, were
 in favor of Frank Healy, they feared for the outcome Politically New Britain was against MT. HolcOmb and in favor of MT. Healy, but individually the city was for the honest old judge. Ever since Safety Commissioner How ard M. Steele'S sensational expose or MT. Healy alm ost decade ago, New Britain people have been somewhat
 suspicious of the Windsor Locks man.
 Guilty or not, the stigma of having been removed from office was not for gotten here. But MT. Healy Is a poli- tician through and through. He wanted the governorship and worked hard to get 1t and among others, the New Britain delegation was behind him to a man. Their staunch support of his candidacy leads many to De-
 Neve that there was a reason and that
 had his cause been succesSful one
 New Britain might have been re-
 warded by some political plum. IF
 Marcus Holcomb was a politician New
 Britain might suffer a little as re-
 suit of her delegates opposition to his
 cause If any little favor might be
 coming this way he might remember
 the convention and the favor might
 be switched onto another track. But
 Governor HOlcomb Is not a politician.
 He Is one of the most honest, upright citizens in Connecticut. His integrity
 has never been questioned. He is above small, petty matters. His choice is a, most pleasing one to the majority of New Britain voters and with him to head their ticket their prospects look to them much brighter this fall The nomination of Marcus Holcomb 1 in place of Frank Healy will probably l tend to silence the statewide political l gossip that the Hon. G. M. Landers of TD,, ,kosx sI~4 ! the democratic ticket. Governor EIol- 1 combs strength is not questioned and democrats admit that 1t will be prac-
 tically impossible to defeat him this fall. On the other hand, had Mr. 1 Healy, admittedly a weak candidate ] if the voice of the people was to be l heard, been nominated it would not ! have been surprising had MT. Landers 1 entered the race with the odds in his l favor. Entirely democratic, friend 1 or the working man and popular in both part1es he could have had an ex-
 cellent chance to be elected.
 1 When the state legislature convenes ] in special session on Tuesday of next l week Senator George w. Klett of
 this city will be present as the leader 1 of the senate and with leader Hyde 1 of the house he has conferred with 1 Governor Holcomb at length on the
 proposed bill that will permit the Con-
 necticut soldiers on the border to l vote. All of which foreshadows the fact that If Senator Klett Is reelected
 as he doubtless will be. he will be-
 come the chairman of the Judiciary
 committee, the most important office
 in the legislature, and the real power | in the senate.
 l At the junction of Hartford avenue and Stanley streets there is a public l entrance to Fairview cemetery, al- l though possibly a majority of the i nIhlic do not know it. OriginallY