New Britain herald., 1924-09-04
STATE POLITICS

Although the state Republican as- sociation has suffered setbacks In New Haven and Bridgeport, plans for nominating Hiram Bingham as the governor candidate continue un- abatcd, J. Henry Roraback, operat- ing the steam-roller, has few sharp turns in the road ahead, which may cause him to exercise caution. But the organization appears to remain confident.
 Some Republicans of prominence appear to be of the opinion that Bingham is not the strongest candi- date the state c. 0. P. could select this year. The anti-organization Re- publicans are sure of it. The latter do not like Bingham and some may not vote for him should he gain. the nomination. While admitting they may lack the power to impress their desires upon the Republican convention, some of them add that this is free country and if the Democrats put forth a candidate of popularity and prestige, many Re publican votes will split in favor of Coolidge and the Democratic candi- date for governor.
 There are said to be thousands of Republicans in Connecticut who will stick to Coolidge if he comes out whole -heartedly against the Ku Klux Klan; but if he doesn't, then they will switch to Davis or LaFollette. There is a large Republican popula- tion in Connecticut that will not swallow any candidate, not even Coolidge, who does not take decid- ed stand against the Klan. The so- called "straddling" of Dawes upon the Klan during his Augusta speech is not regarded as sufficient; they would have preferred to see Dawes go much further than he did, al- though inclined to commend him for at least mentioning the Klan and telling the country why so many per sons in the west have joined it.
 But Dawes. irrespective of what one's opinion may be as to the extent of his opposition to the KIan. is the candidate for vice. president Cool idge, as the candidate for president, should take a decided stand in op- position to the hooded order, and If he doesn't it is fair to assume that thousands of Republicans who feel strongly upon the Klan issue in Connecticut will decline to cast their votes for the president. These votes will have to go elsewhere-and both Davis and La Toilette have left no doubt as to what they think about the Kan.
 The Democratic candidates for governor would have every reason to expect these votes, as the La Fol- lette people have no candidate for governor. It is also likely that voters who will follow the La Toilette stan dard in the Nutmeg state will be little inclined to vote for Bingham.
 There is the possibility of Bing- ham coming out against the Klan. even should Coolidge remain tongue tied on the subject. But this is not regarded as probable. The Connee- ticut organization behind Bingham is supposed to follow the policies of the national organization and it is likely that nothing will be advo- cated that is contrary to the policy of the party as a whole.
 This is no attempt to paint a glow ing picture for the Democrats in Connecticut, but merely an inde- pendent reflection of what appear to be seIf-evident facts. Coolidge will as he will of he does so. Should he continue his refusal to mention the Klan; but not by as large a majority as he will if hedoes so. Should he refrain from becoming anti-Klan, it is reasonable to suppose that a block of disgruntled and disappointed voters will flock to other standards, and this ought, at least, to work out In favor of the Democratic state ticket.
 The La Toilette intrusion upon Nutmeg national politics also is likely to have an adverse effect from a Republican standpoint. No one need deceive himself about this matter; La Toilette apparently is growing stronger in the state every