New Britain herald., 1924-04-09
THE ELECTION

Congratulations to Mayor Angelo M. Paonessa. New Britain has done the square thing by him in recogniz- ing the sound, economical and fail administration he has given the city during the two years just passed Moreover we believe the people of the city, other than comparatively few intense partisans, are content, many of them unusually enthusiastic as shown by the demonstrations lasi night We say advisedly that Mayor Paonessa, irritated as he was by the charge of -slinging" is to be con- graduated. also. for. refraining to dc the mud-slinging of which he would have been guilty had he repeated ir public many of the stories brought to him of alleged facts regarding the tactics of workers against him.
 Judge filling is to be congratulated for conducting clean campaign. His personal sacrifice in needing the call of his party leaders would make him the worst sufferer temporarily at least, were he not as highly regarded per- sonally as he is.
 And this normally republican city Is fortunate in having an independent electorate. able to choose wisely and intelligently, free from political pre- judice.
 In the first three wards the net gain Of the republicans over that party's vote two years ago was 19i. the great sst gain being in the first, Judge filings homo ward. The republicans gained in the first and third, but lost ai7 votes in the third ward over the total given two years ago.
 The democrats, on the other hand, gained total of 577 in the three wards they won, the increase being l26 in the fourth, S6s in the fifth and tS in the sixth, comparing yesterdays vote. probably the largest at muni- cjpal election in the history of the city. to the vote of'two years ago.
 The causes contributing 10 Mayor Paonessa's election were, first, as in the election of 1922. his personal popularity among the people of the city who did not hesitate 10 call him Angelo" second the good admins tration he has given the city by which he has proven true to his word and able to keep the city affairs running smoothly and efficiently, and, third, a protest against the feared interference of the state republican machine, as locally represented, in the affairs Of the city.
 Of these contributing causes the greatest was the desire of "the peo- pie" to re-elect a man of the people who had made good to such an ex- tent that there vas no issue to raise mo just adverse criticism of his ad- rninistration to offer. The worst that the opponents of the mayor could say was that his administration had not been a marked success" If it was stated that his conduct of the city af- fairs had not been "success," with out the qualifying adjective, we failed Co notice such criticism.
 Mayor Paonessa will enter upon his second term under absolutely dif- ferent circumstances than those which obtained two years ago. At that time he had to prove himself to a certain extent. His friends believed in him and hopcd. The belief Of his friends has been justified by his conduct of office. They no longer hope; they ex- pet. There is no need for him to make more drastic changes in city hall. There Is need for no spectacular tu0te hnd there would be danger in il. Chances for improvement there are as always. But a continuation Of the policy and attitude Of The mayor will maintain and intensity for him the re- spect of fine psopio Of the city which any trading upon his success of yes terday might forfeit
 There is a human aspect to the demonstration gf inst night that un- d0abteIiy appealed strongly to the successful candidate and which is sig niHcani in tie view Of those vhose hearts have not been hardened by the daily battle with they world. Mayor paonossa. cveryvhere he went. was snsnped by congratulations. Of course. This is no, a picture t''ai irnpresses. That f,iciBAe F. however. is of the fhrorzs Of chillren Of the eity vhs know their -n,kyor.~ The c'amof of the ftae vork ~.ho shine shoes snd a,Fi neuspa rs and do anytHins '' '..a an .,a r'"t'. the 'n"t'
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