New Britain herald., 1916-09-30
Town Topics

The renomination of Judge B. F.
 Gaffney for judge of probate by the
 democrats was not at all unexpected,
 in fact anything else would have
 been unexpected, yet it is an event
 worthy of more than passing note.
 It shows the esteem, regard and ab-
 Solute faith that the community has
 in this big hearted man and this feel
 lng of trust will undoubtedly be
 made more apparent when the repub 1 hcan probate convention meets, for l there is little doubt but what they will ! renominate him as they have done in l past years. Should the unexpected
 happen and the republicans fail to
 do this the ultimate outcome would
 doubtless be the same, for the
 people of this district do not regard | the judge of probate as an office of
 politics. They realize the present in
 cumbent's great integrity and honor
 enf if it came to a contest it is
 reasonably certain he would be re- | turned. This office of judge of pro- | bate is one of the most important in 1 the state and from a viewpoint of per- 1 SCnalities it far exceeds that of gover- i nor ill it's importance for practically ! every individual at some time or other has to come in personal touch with this court. The security of the court of probate is shared alike by rich and poor. It's influence reaches through the span of a lifetime. Aye, it goes even further for it reaches
 from the cradle to far beyond the
 grave Among it's other duties it has
 to see to the fair treatment and well
 fare of orphans, minors, widows,
 l. InI ole
 has to provide for a fair and impar-
 tial adjustmen of the estate of a de-
 ceased person, regardless of personal
 influence or position. And it reaches
 cut into eternity when it is called
 upon to carry out the provisions of will made in the lifetime of a person
 who has since passed into the Great
 Beyond. It has to treat all classes alike, rich, poor, republicans, demo-
 cratS, socialists prohibitionlSts. Hence it is in no way a political office as there are no political plums to be gained or scattered. And because the law is such that the estate of no deceased can be settled in less than one year is additional reason why, when an able judge is found, he should be retained. The duties Of the judge continue from week to week SNGI possibly on the same case. There fore it would eminently be unfair to the public to habitually change the judge at each election, for the new incumbent would be utterly unfamiliar With certain phases of each case and l d fair settlement would be impossible. | The tendency is gradually growing to keep the probate judgeship clean l from politics and this should be so; | and when a man is found who ad 1 ministers from this office without l fear, favor or politics as does Judge l Gaffney che should be retained.
 The return of Robert Middlemass to his native town as d prominent actor during the past week recalls to i mind the several other native sons or former well known men who have made good in the theatrical game. Of the several New Britain men who have made good on the stage, perhaps that of John Miltern (John Sheehan) is the best known in the theatrical world for he has been in the game a good many years and has reached that point in his career where he is re- garded as one of the best on the American stage. The younger actor, Robert MiddlemasS, who was seen by his local friends on the stage for the first time this week, is already knocking at the door of fame and bids fair to shortly climb into the foremost ranks of the profession. Miltern however, still appears to be the best that New Britain has produced. He has played many famous roles but is best in the heavy role of the deep dyed william One of his most famous characters was that of Morariaty when he played opposite William Gillette in Sherlock Holiness" Of late, however, Miltern has been play ing leading parts himself. He made one advent into the movies, appear ing to good advantage in New York" He does not care for this work how ever, and during the past week is said to have turned down a flattering offer in order to remain on the legiti- mate stage.
 Miltern's brother Michael Sheehan, also attained some fame as an actor a number of years ago but lately has dropped from the public view An ether local actor that has made a big name for himself is Will D. Cor bett. He was for years a leading man with a Corse Payton stock company and was very popular. Whenever he returned to New Britain with a com pany it was a signal for full houses and appreciative audiences He is now on the vaudeville stage in the Keith circuit. George E. Bunny, who has appeared in the movies of late, was at one time a we'll known come dian. He is a brother of the late John Bunny. J. Warren Gland, an- other New Britain man, has gained renOwn by his clever portrayals of Villanous roles in moving pictures Of these however, MT. Middlemass is |