New Britain herald., 1926-09-16
New Britain Delegates Upset By
Moms' Refusal to Head Ticket
Waterbury Man Urged to
Reconsider Decision But
Declares Firmly That He
Will Not Run.

New Haven, Sept. 16-No dele
gates to the democratic state con-
vention were more deeply disap-
pointed over the refusal of William
f. Thoms of Waterbury to accept
the nomination for governor than
the New Britain delegation. Early
last evening, it was reported that
Mr.. Thoms had declared he would
not accept a nomination under any
circumstances. Immediately New
Britain delegates sought him out at
the Taft hotel and besecched him to
change his mind But he was ada
mant and said that he would not
agree to become the party's nom
inee even if the honor We're tender
ed him by the convention.
New Britain has been for Thoms
for months. Long before political
mutterings were heard anywhere
else. Thoms' admirers were at work
in New Britain working for his
nomination. The New Britain dele
cation TO the state convention came
here unpledged but every man was
for Thoms and didn't hesitate to en-
press his feelings.
Explains To E-Niayor Paonessa
After Frank Fenton delivered his
keynote speech last night. Thoms
came into Music hall. He was ap-
preached at the door by ex-Mayor
a. NJ. Paoncssa of New Britain who
tried to persuade him to accept the
gubernatorial nomination. Bue he
was determined, although courteous
and friendly. He said that the ill
ness of his law partner in Water
bury would prevent him from run
ming for office. There are reports
around that this situation would not
bar him from the race if he could
be assured of wholehcarted support
on the part of the democratic state
organization.
Mr.. Thoms told a New Britain
Herald representative that he could
not see his way clear to enter the
political arena because of the ill
ness of his law partner. He re-
minisced about his early life in New
Britain, saying that he lived on Elm
street and attended the Elihu Bur-
rutt school. His father was. for
years, proprietor of a blacksmith
shop on Church street. He remark
ed that he always had a tender spot
in his heart for New Britain because
of the happy boyhood days spent
there.
New Britain Delegation
The New Britain delegation to the
state convention consists of John E.
r. Keevers, chairman; eX-Mayor
Paonessa, w. ]. Mangan, Thomas J.
Smith, DR.. A. L. Avitable, Mrs. Mel
lie McCrann, f. J.. Conlon, Lucyan
N1acora, Mrs. Mary Hart, f. j.
Clynes, John F. Leeney. John j..
Walsh, r. Kerrigan, Edward A. Nc
Carthy, David L. Dunn, S. G. Casale,
and Paul Nurczyk. DR., Avitable
was appointed to the credentials
committee, Conlon to the permanent
committee, Walsh to
the rules committee and Smith to
the resolutions committee.
Bristol Delegates Smiling
Over in a corner of Music Hall
last night, ex-Mayor Joseph button
of Bristol called the fifth district
delegation together. The delegates
from Bristol in attendance are
Everett Reynolds, John Donnelly,
Erwin Rowe, Levi Classon, John
Murphy. Hilary Driscoll, Peter
John f. Condor and Chair
man Dutton. At the meeting of the
18th senatorial district of which
Bristol is a part. John ]. Kennedy
If West Hartford was reelected TO
he state central committee. Mrs
Grace Donovan was elected associate
Woman member. Elections TO con-
,antion committees were as follows:
resolutions, Thomas Hewes, Farm
ngton: rules, James A. Harrington |
West Hartford; credentials, John J.
West Hartford; perma-
tent organization, Hugh McAleer,
Burlington. William J. Hurley OF
is secretary of the dele
,ation and John Donnelly of Bristol
s vice president.