New Britain herald., 1924-03-22
WHAT Is THE, ISSUE:


 The first thought one has about the mayoralty election is What is the issue?" Probably independent men and women will agree that in electing mayor we want to choose the man who will give the city the best ad- ministration as far as we are able to judge by past performances. This, quite aside from what his politics are. Only the person who is a true partisan can see any advantage in electing republican or democrat as mayor of the city for the sole reason that he Is a republican or a democrat. This year of course, 1t is possible that an ardent republican would want to see a repub- lcan elected simply because is might possibly have bearing upon the na- tional election in which, as partican, he is very much interested.
 But this more or less mythical effect the mayoralty election in New Britain might have upon the national election Is a small matter indeed compared with the importance of tho effect the local election will have upon all of ns personally. II should be brushed aside in favor of the greater consideration Of our city and the people in it'
 A prominent republican, former Mayor Quigley, has said something 10 the effect that this campaign must be conducted along strict party lines. Cn- less one mistakes his meaning such meaning is that only party consider" siions should impel one to vote for the republican candidate. Certainly this IS quite a compliment to the present mayer. NIr. Quigley has been quoted as admitting that Mayor Paonessa , administration "has not been a signal fnilnre." Now that is a good deal for Mir. Quigley 10 admit. Others, not or the energetic, intense partisanship ot leaders like Mir. Quiglcy, will say the administration has been far from a "signaI failure" far from any sort Of a "failure"-that, in plain language Mayor Paonessa's administration has been decided success.
 The republican candidate. speaking frankly and with customary fairness, has said practically that he was draft ed for his party's sake. No one has pleaded with Judge Alling to run nor New Britains sake" as far as one has heard. Judge Aillng is too straightfor- ward to indicate more than that he believes he can give the city better administration than it now enjoys. Hc has moi indicated, nor will he suggest unless one is mistaken. that he Tore sees disaster 10 the city fl Mayor pa- onossa is again elected.
 The issue. then. is not whether or rot New Britain shall be saved. The city is getting along very nicely, We will have to look farther for an issue.
 In ius' what branch of the city gov .rnmrnt. coming within the influence or fine mayor. is there criticism? Just where would there be an improvement wsra change 10 be made? lt is rather difficult 10 answer this question, too' and this is not. in any way, indicating ones belief that the present mayor is perrect. nor that wiser men than hc he might not be found. lsut if is in dicstiug that the experience CT two years al. mayor Of city hall. during which lime things have run smooth Iv. would couuterbalance quite a great deal Of su.,crior wisdom possessed ny one who had not the benefit Of such 9xpsricnec. And Mayor raoncEsa's l wears in tho common council counts somewhat also.
 |, would iie really pi"ssrre 10 write nice things about Judge Ai.ing --the words would come SO easily there are so many good tbines to say abom him. There is nothing un- pieasat that might bc said justly A uerzoa would bc violent partisan indeed who would try to twist any characarrsttc or. action of his into something That would disaualijy him as mayot- Of ihe eity Tine Herald rislie, there wer" mors citizens of New Britain like lum,
 Bnt strici seHse pi justice. entirely aside from personal liking or admira- tion and aHid. from politics makes II ,asv. also. and g pleasure to say words or eorutnendation for . man who. ar irving in this country less than q quar- ter of a century ago. worked his way up and into the confdeucc Of the pco- ple in such A way that. two years ago. he was elected to the highest office in the ciiy by the votes of people who relied upon him and whom he has