New Britain herald., 1922-01-25
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

REGISTRATION UT SoIEn'
 Announcement that the registrars of New Britain are to sit and place the names of new voters upon the list of tn. party they choose next February and 10 calls to mind that the spring elections are near, that II will become the bounden duty ot the electorate of the city to choose be- tween several candidates in the primaries and again between candl- dates at the election proper The mayors chair must be refllled Upon the horizon looms two prominent war horses for the position at the head of the city affairs. One Curtis. present incumbent, might be a candidate, ne has not yet said, one Quigley, De- fore mayor, has already plucked well worn chapeau from his head ana hurled it into the ring. He is the only one that has done any hurling so far, being the first upon the ground. It is strongly suspected that Alder man Paonessa, of the sixth ward, will be ready to consider the pleas Of his friends and become democratic candidate, also it is believed that Jo- seph Halloran, who has good record as mayor previously might lend an attentive ear to suggestions that he run.
 The reluctance of Curtis to an- nounce his candidacy may indicate that he is not sure of his ground, that certain people who have heretofore loande him support may decide to rim themselves or change their back ing to another. Naturally he could not run without this backing, he has not the personality to put himself in the running, naturally he must con- descend to his packers wishes-and we venture that they do not as yet know what they will do. Hence the c;iietude of Curtis, if our humble cg1inion may be accepted.
 Quigley's announcement may do him no harm. Having come out into the open he may build up an organization, securing promises of support in the ,,rimaries where those promises might not be forthcoming were different man than Curtis to run. Of course if he has an opponent at the primaries another individual some of that prom ised backing may leave him. But he is to gain in the end, it seems.
 There is nothing to be gained in an early announcement by the Demo- cratic aspirants, fact which they fully realize. There will be no such fight in the party as promises to de- velop at the republican primaries, hence any building that the democrats need to do is that which will tend to party unity at the election. They can well afford to watch with pleasure a primary fight In the ranks Of the
 
 opposition, bitter argument between factions means some votes.
 The chances are that many new voters will register, upon the days set, with the republican party, whatever their intentions at election time. 1n- terest in the primary will cause this and a part may not be taken in the nrimaries unless one is registered voter of the party choosing its candi- date by this method. The factions will draw many to the registration desks for primary votes.
 By long stretch of the imagination only can one conceive of the city electing democratic mayor. Although several other Connecticut cities previ- ously in the republican ranks have overturned their controlling party New Britain may be counted on te act without imagination, entirely mechanical, and to do what it has done. Majorities may not be as large but they will be as useful as an over whelming vote. The threatened figh in the republican ranks is bound tc make a difference, but it will not be enough.