New Britain herald., 1919-01-07

Hartford.
 for the opeH4
 of the Gener3
 tend informal
 caucuses toni
 gathered here
 came from ev4ts the interest in on
 especially keen.
 held in the Capt1
 serve to blaze the
 transaction of busi1S
 to the induction of
 the republicans are
 much of the planning
 cratlc caucuses reacn
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 crats The republicans dT&&
 county caucuses for the purp04 electlng candidates for doorke{uSY&s and messengers, and later, probahiv apout p. m. the general caucus will be held in the House chamber. 1t has been customary for State Chairman I. Henry Rorabacl1 to call order. and 2 presiding officer is named. After choice of caucus clerks the members express their preference for a candi- date for speaker. That candidate probably will be former senator James F. Walsh of Greenwich, leader of the l90T senate, and one of the most ex- perlenced among this sessions mem bers. While other names have been mentioned it was thought probable this afternoon that no other name would be presented to the caucus. Representatives e-eleot William H. Hall, who was In the last senate and who has been in the House eight terms Is the senior member of the body. It IS likely that he will call the House to order tomorrow as the first step to- wards organization.
 For Clerk of House.
 The interest in the House organi- zaion prior to this time has been due to the issue of ratification of the pro- hibitory amendment, it having been predicted that the so-ca1led "dry- members" that is those favoring the am endment, would try to elect their own candidate for speaker. Tn the last few days the opinion held that the re- publicans would not divide on this is sue in the matter of choosing speaker.
 The caucus will probably name ". Arthur Countryman of Hartford for House clerk. He was assistant clerk last session, and Assistant Senate clerk in 1915. J. Frederick Baker will be made assistant clerk. He was as- sistant clerk of the senate last ses- sion. The caucus will name and en- dorse probably the county nomina- ttons for attaches of the body, formal election to be made tomorrow.
 Heald For Pro Tenn. Leader.
 The republican senators will have ! their own caucus and the chief con- test among them is over the president ] pro tempore honor. This carries 1 with it the privilege of naming senate 1 committees, once vested In the lieu 1 tenant governor as presiding officer. ] In the case of the republican senators 1 it has been claimed that the prohibit i tory amendment issue may figure in ! the selection of the president pro | tenn. The final choice Is a, matter of | doubt, although signs point to the l choice of Senator Heald of Holland l County, who was in the House last l session. Frederick A. Bartlett of 1 Bridgeport is the senior member, now l entering upon his fourth term, and i he was supposedly a candidate for the 1 honor two years ago, and is a candi- 1 date for it this time But two years | ago there was an eleventh hour sur prise in the selection of Senator Ly- man of Middlefield and the caucus i tonight may see another surprise. The caucus will name Edward J. Kenealy | Of Stamford for clerk, and make 1 selection for an assistant clerk. The 1 other legislative clerkships, those on bills and engrossment, will go to ". 1 H. Blodgett of Winsted and Sabin S. Russell respectively. in all probabili- ty, the appointments made by commit tees a week ago.
 Fitzgerald Will Preside.
 The democratic caucuses will have somewhat similar progress. It is likely that the general one will be called to order by State Chairman David E. FitzGerajd of New Haven. Such nominations as are made will be of a complimentary nature, and often the democrats do not present the names at the formal organization.
 Brodcr Democratic Leader.
 It is probable that Senator k. w. Broder, of Hartford, will be the party tive John C. Geary, of Waterford, will be floor leader in the house as at last session. Party policy may be dis cussed at the caucuSes. Several times these caucuses have asked the repub- ltcans to give the minority better rep resentation on committees, and this may be done again.
 Republican leadership in both branches is determined by appoint n1ents as senate and house chairmen of the judiciary committee. It seems likely that Senator Klett will again serve as senate leader.
 Inaugural Ceremonies Tomorrow.
 The general assembly will come into being for 1919 tomorrow. Gov ernor HolcOmb and Ideutenant-GoV- ernor Clifford B. Wilson will both be- gin their third term. Secretary of