New Britain herald., 1924-10-18

For the second time this fall the faction of the Republican party commonly called the machine has shown that 1t has a firm grip on the voters who have registered with that party The first rumblings of a rebellion came prior to the selec- ton Of delegates to the state conven- ton. Maxwell S. Porter was ar rayed as an independent candidate against slate which was supposed tv have the sanction of the engin- eers of the machine. The slate won by a wide margin. The second rev. olutlon came with the candidacy of Oliver I. Davis for the nomination as representative. He ran cam paign ably assisted by ex-Mayor GeorgeA. Quigley. But he was rolled in the dust by Fred o. Rackliffe and Judge Benjamin W. Alling.
 The party organization has re- covered considerable ground since if was repudiated by the voters last spring. At that thine the drive was made against State Central Commit teeman George W. Klett and Mayor Paonessa, democrat, was reelected with the assistance of voters who did not like MT. Klett. It was said at that time that the machine had been broken. It may have been tenn porarily disabled but it is managing to cover distance just the same. Broken" machines have a way of coming back that is nothing short of miraculous.
 All things considered, Mir. Davis made good run. He had to de- pend almost entirely on voluntary assistance while the better organ ized machine, determined to chas- tise the rebel, had greater resources. Chairman William II. Judd of the Republican town committee denied that any preference was being shown in the pre-primary campaign but il is not believed that he lost any sleep because Mir. Rackliffe and Judge filling were nominated, Davis had no reason to love Chairman Judd and made very cutting re- marks about him and other leaders of the party during his political ad dresses.
 MT. Davis refused to congratulate the victors. This is unusual in American politics and indicates that the wounds caused during the con fict have not healed. In connec- ton with MT. Davis attitude, it is recalled that MT. Quigley refused to extend his congratulations to Or son r. Curtis when the latter de- feated him for the mayoralty nomi- nation.
 The situation brings up the ques- ton whether Mir. Quigley is losing some of his strength. The results may prove this. or they may prove the opposite 10 be true. On the face of the returns, the Davis-Quig- ley support was not enough to worry tthe advocates of the nomina- ton of Mir. 'Rackliffe and Judge All ing. But 1t is also necessary to take into consideration that the Davis Quigley team spent little or no money to get out the vote. The losers claim that they are well satis- fed with results. If the support they received was given without so- licitation, they might well be. So long as the present leaders of the Republican party cling to the reins, they can count on listening to the strong veto voice of Mir Quiglcy during pre-primary campaigns.
 The Democrats of Berlin gave their friends. the Republicans, some thing to think about when they nominated Mrs. Mary Carbo Lard ner for the legislature. It was a strategic move which may have its intended effect at the polls and may bring the Republican plurality down although it is doubtful whether it will have sufficient weight to turn Berlin into the Dem ocratic column. Mrs. Lardner's candidacy will appeal strongly 10 the Kensington district where she has many friends.
 The situation is unusual in Der lin. Francis A. Dcming, the Repub- lican nominee, has American blood in his veins which flows back many generations. Mrs. T.ardner is num- bered among the newer Americans. This should not be accepted as reflection on the young woman, but | merely a statement of facts. The race for representative is fight between old America and new Amer 1 ica.
 Berlin Is not averse 10 placing a woman ill a responsible position.
 Miss Mary Griswold is capable superintendent of schools in that town. The argument may be used
 by some of the reactionary spirits in Berlin that We don't want vim min in the legislature" but they will 1 be answered with the statement that Miss Griswold holds an office equal in importance to membership in the General Assembly and one i which requires superior intelligence as well as carrying with 1t greater
 responsibility.