New Britain herald., 1926-04-03
THE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

In the final analysis, the contest between Gardner c, Weld and George A. Quigley was a fight for control Of the republican party In New Britain, The mayoralty nomi- nation was desirable but control of the party was the main thing 10 be desired. One could not be had with out the other,
 IL was clearly demonstrated that organization forces retain the upper hand and refuse to bo dislodged, Their persistence is reflected in the manner in which they got out the vote in the six wards last Wednes- day. In only one ward, the fifth, did 1 Quigley have a plurality, and that was so insignificant that Weld ia 'n- titled 10 credit for clean sweep of l the city.
 Leaders Of the republican party were fighting with their backs to the wall. They realized early in the campaign that they must smash i Quigley Note was made in these ! JOlhlll LhO NN'Ns i6' AllpN NlANJ 'H ! tended 10 stamp out the Quigley re- l bollion once and for all, A Quigley conquest at the primaries would not i necessarily have meant Quigley election, but it would have resulted in moral victory which would have placed him in a commanding posi- ton in the party. If the republican voters had endorsed him, they would l at the same time have repudiated | those now In control and he would have been quick to take advantage of the situation and assert his dom- finance.
 Two years ago Quigley appeared in the role Of dictator of party poli- cies. The regular organization de- cided to have F. M. Holmes nomi- mated for mayor. Quigley put his foot down hard on the project and made the organization swallow its pride. He was never forgiven. He never will be forgiven Last We'd nesday's large vote was merely an echo of what took place in 1924 The leaders listened to Quigley then; they decided this year that the time for listening was at an end and they set to work with will to break Quiz ley's power and to show the <city who is boss. In this way they were eminently successful. Quigley's in- fluence today is at full ebb. He has ceased to be an important factor In republican politics. He may come back at some time in the future. The Salvation Army declares that a man may be down but he's never out, and this may apply to politics. But this much is certain-George Quigley must eat humble pie until he mends his fences. At this writing his army is routed and in full flight
 The republican organization was aided materially in putting Weld across by the tactics adopted by Quigley. He, himself, proved to be one of the strongest cards for the opposition. He thought he was trumping their ace, but events proved that he was only reneging on himself.
 New Britain as whole wa' shocked at Quigleys charge tha' there are joints" in town receiving police protection. This statemen' alone caused him the loss of hun dreds of votes. It created a feeling of public revulson which dimmeo the lustre of the political St. George fighting the attle against the dragon of plutocratic pomp. Ever some of Quigleys closest friends questioned the wisdom of this ac' cusation because it savored toe much of politics as played in New York city, for example, where office holders regulations arc torn tt shreds. Furthermore, 1t laid hin open to ridicule because there arr not many who believed it to be { fact. They were satisfied that Qulg lev had developed an cratic streak Within a few hours after 1t becam
 known that he had insnuated tha there was graft in the police depart ment, what strength he had begal to wane. He was careful to eXplail later that he did not mean the pass
 ing of money for protection but tn damage had been done,
 Quigley's bitter attack on Ernes
 w. Christ, acting state central com
 mitteeman. also contributed to hi defeat because it inspired the organ
 ization to crowd on steam in an ef
 fort 10 defend their leader. It arous ed in them a spirit of determine tion to beat off the enemy If Quiz