Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-09
Especial to The Bulletin.

New London, Dec. Sit is very
plain that Mayor Ernest q. Rogers,
the chief magistrate Of the city of New
London, does not hold the party whip
even over the court Of common Coun
Gil CT which he is the head He 1av-
oreJ the election of C.. Hadlai Hull for
the position of corporation counsel to
II the vacancy caused by the death of
William J. Brennan, and even went SO
far as to send communications 20 the
republican members and said in his
characteristic military style that he
expected them to favor the election
Of Mr.. Hull. But the mayors candi-
date was defeated but not until the
fifty third ballot in republican caucus,
decided in favor Of Philip z. Hankey.
1t was a sort of consolation prize to
Mr.. Hankey, but was certainly de-
ser*ed from a party standpoint He
has always been actively interested in
the republican politics Of the city, and
on several occasions was the defeated
candidate for office on his party ticket.
These nominations and subsequent
campaigns must have cost Mr.. Hankey
money, and lots OF 1t, and while ex-
pended to help himself it helped the
party to success even if it spelled de-
feat for Mr.. Hankey. He has been
defeated for judge of probate, made
two tries for representative in the leg
islature and made bids for other offices
and always paid the price and got
nothing in return. Finally he has
landed sinecure that carries with it
a salary Of $1,000 year. He is
worthy the position and is thoroughly
competent to perform such duties as
are attached to the office.
The unusually strong contest for the
office demonstrates the political power
of the late William J. Brennan. who
was handed out the office when the
republicans haG majority in the coun-
ell and always without opposition with
| a powerful local ba cking he controlled
the throttle Of the republican local ma
chine and directed its every movement.
| This he was able to do by reason OF
| his position as chairman of the town
committee and member of the state
central committee and also being con-
| nected with the law firm from whose
| office the party has been controlled for
| half a century at least How things
| have changed since this law firm has
| been reduced to one member, and that
member was a candidate for the cor
poration counselship and was defeated
| by Mr.. Hankey.
| Already there is strife over the Sc
| lection of chairman OF the republican
town committee and q meeting of the
several ward committees was held to
| cleo. a chairman, but there was moth
ling uOihE Ia LI1dL IAlc DIT tidL llII1c.
| There are two open candidates for the
craftsmanship, Theodore Bodenwein
! and Samuel M. Prertis, representing
the regular and the progressive wings
of the party, respectively. Mr.. Bod
enwein has had previous experience in
| town committee work and has the
bac>ing of Senator Brandegee, Repre-
sentative Freeman and Sheriff Brown,
/ but even this big political influence
did not lead to election. The situation
| was thoroughly discussed, but no def
| mite action was taken in so far as the
! choice of chairman went
II Was finally decided to refer the
whole matter to tine town committee
with power. This committee is made
up of the chairmen of the several ward
committees ane they are empowered
| to select one from their own number
| or make selection Of some true blue re-
publican on the outside. So the con-
ltesf is practically narrowed down to
BoGeuwein and Prcntis and both are
| making determined effort to become
the recognized head of tie party in