New Britain herald., 1922-09-09
THE OBSER YER
Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

The victory scored by ex-Mayol
 Halloran at the democratic city con.
 vention on Thursday night establishe.
 without further question the subject
 of leadership among the Jeffersonian,
 in this city. The issue was clear-cut
 whether Halloran would receive ths
 endorsement of the congressional
 delegation without any strings at
 tached to the pledge, and 1t was de
 cided in a straight out and out fight
 Since 1t first became known thai
 the ex-Mayor was deslrous of secur' ing the congressional nomination from
 this district his candidacy has beer
 given warm support by the rank and
 file of the democratic party. Per
 haps this same rank and file used the
 city convention as a means of express
 ng its disapproval of Mayor Paones.
 sa's unofficial campaign for place or
 the democratic ticket. It was thought
 that his aspirations would interfere
 with the desires of Halloran, who was
 first in the field and objection to his tactics naturally followed. The out come of the convention can be inter rreted in no other way than as a re- buke to Paonessa who made no head way with his program of getting a corner on all the support in New Britain.
 From now on, Halloran will be able to proceed boldly and with confidence. He can approach delegates from other places with the announcement that he has the unqualified endorsement of the democrats in his own city. There will be no more ifs and buts. His po- sition Is that of a man who can point done for him and ask for support at other points.
 The convention meant everything for the Halloran boom. Had the Paonessa faction been in control and forced a compromise with the Hal loran faction, the exmayor would have been in a weak position and it Is probable that his candidacy would not have been given serious considera- enemies could point out that he was unable even to influence his home delegates without bargaining,
 Although he has won great vic tory, Halloran has by no means se- cured the nomination. The woods are full of candidates and sympathy throughout the district is divided. It Is expected that all candidates will re- ceive some support on the first bal lot unless withdrawals are in order. What will happen afterwards is sim ply guesswork. If Paonessa succeeds on securing a place on the state tick et-he is now being talked of for sec retary of state or comptroller-it is doubtful whether Halloran can secure a majority of votes.
 Paonessa has pledged his support to his rival. His pledge will be equiva- lent to so many empty words if he persists in his intention to land on the state ticket.
 Democrats are discussing the possi- bility that the state organization may not consider Paonessa in making up the slate because of his defeat at the city convention. It was severe blow to one in a position in which he is recognized as the titular head of the party in New Britain. His victory at the polls last spring gave him place second to none; his reverses at the city convention rather dim his lustre.
 The conduct of the Paonessa SUD- porters was nothing to create admira- tion in the party ranks. The day has passed when he who howls loudest laughs best Their behaviour was not elevating, particularly when they in- sisted on interrupting the mayor with remarks that are not considered good form even in political circles.
 AS a consequence of his defeat, Mayor Paonessa may not be consider ed as extra strong material by the slate makers at the state convention Party leaders pick winners whenever possible and they may decide to seek elsewhere for a comptroller or secre- tary of state. His supporters are not by the outcome of the city convention, however, and are con- fldent that they will be able to con- vince the leaders to include his name on the list of candidates for state of- ice.
 Reading the sad story of Mrs. Kite of Virginia, deserted by her husband, he office leicester evolves the quaint lotion that Mr. Kite is a highf1yer
 A news dispatch from the south vest claims Texas as the greatest nut area in the world. The writer evidently had not visited some