New Britain herald., 1922-07-01

Little enthusiasm has been create Tn democratic circles for the boom ft
 Mayor Paonessa for lieutenant go,
 ernor on the state ticket This comin
 fall. If the truth be known, tn
 news that the mayor aspred 10 wiel
 the gavel in the upper chamber cau'
 cd no little adverse comment alon
 the street as 1t is generally believe
 that there Is little chance for tw
 New Britain men to gain recognitio
 al the hands of the democratic eau
 cuses and as ex-Mayor Joseph N
 Halloran has already started an ac tive campaign for the congressiona
 nomination from this district, tn
 Paonessa move is regarded as an ef
 fort on the part Of someone to in terfere with MT. Halloran's aspira tions.
 At the local democratic primarie last spring Mir. Paon4ssa defeated MT Halloran in fair and square contes for the mayoraity nominations. MT Halloran had previously announced that, if he ran second, he would giv' his whole hearted support to thu drive to elect Mir. Paonessa H' made good his promise and became actively identified with the effort tt put a democrat at the head of tho city government. In fact, it is be lieved that the harmony within tht party which he thus brought abou had no little effect on the result Halloran stock boomed and the for mer mayor won over as personal fol lowers many who previously had beer apathetic toward his ambitions in the political field
 It was whispered soon after the mayoralty campaign that Mir, Hallor- an would enter the lists as a candid ate for the nomination for congress man. There was scarcely any opposi- l tion as it was generally conceded that he was entitled to the united support of New Britain democracy. His for nal announcement later that he did want to go to Washington was re- ceived with enthusiasm. Conse- quently. he went to work combed the district, talked with influential leaders and with groups of voters and was led to believe that he could
  fall.
 The first wet blanket to be thrown on the situation is the unofficial but undenied rumor that Mayor Paonessa would like second place on the state ticket. Thus far, the Observer has not been able to hear any joy bells ringing. On the contrary there is of he o,,t and opinion inclines to the conclusion that the mayor would do well to withdraw, if he has really entertain ed any desire to win the post It is true that he has not officially said that he is looking for a place on the party ticket, but his silence must be construed as an admission that he does not entirely reject the idea. By remaining mute and declining to con- firm or deny the statement that he is seeking the nomination, he has alien ated large numbers of votes and his strength today is far below what it was on the day he was elected mayor.
 Mir. Paonessa should not make the mistake of thinking that his election as mayor was due entirely to his own popularity It must be admitted to keep truth in the record that he did control large element of the voters mainly through his popularity and his long service and good record in the common council. But there were other elements which entered into the situation and which brought about democratic victory For example, the republican candidate. through several years of political activity, had succeeded in making enemies who went out to beat him on election day Then again. there was the de- sire for a change on the part of the voters who had become tired of hav- ing a republican at the head of the government. These things should be taken into consideration in analyzing the result of the election.
 If Mayor Paonessa is of the opin- ion that the republican party intends to remain as disinterested in state election as it was in the municipal election he Is in error. The G. 0. r. for reasons of its own, may lay back in the selection of a mayor, but all the forces of the party will be found at work when state or national can didates are to be sent under the wire. It behooves the mayor therefore, to promote harmony in the democratic party instead of discord and 10 think well before deciding definitely to go after the nomination for lieutenant governor.
 Chairman Dunn of the police con- mission has the support of the city when he takes a formal stand against going outside 10 choose man as chief of the police department. There has been some talk during the last few days of bringing in an outsider who has no bias or preJudices. or