New Britain herald., 1928-04-14
CAMPAIGN. OF 1902
 MARKED BY VENOM
Postmaster Ordered Special De- livery of Republican Literature

The slowness with which the re- cent mayoralty election got under way and the reluctance with which the two. parties commenced the mud throwing" is reminiscent of tho town election held here in No- vember, 1902, but in that case the two parties finally broke the spell so suddenly and savagely that almost complete apathy on the part Of the voters was suddenly turned into feverish interest and an entirely un- expected result came as party lines were broken asunder, Both parties were slow to start their campaigns, but their hesitation finally was shat tered by verbal brickbats so violent that many staunch party adherenl went over to the opposing side in disgust
 Those were the days of red fire and verbal fire. with men growing excited at the mere mention of the word. politics" Yet, regarding the election in question, there was an carry SSttAlAtoo SduNA " 'AANe which precedes those of the present day. The city was nominally repub- lican by a safe majority. but 1t had a democratic first selectman in New ton K. Hurlburt. who ran far ahead of his party each year and had been elected in spite of majorities for all republican candidates except his di- rect opponent. He was considered a certain choice for renomination. but the republicans were at a loss to find a willing candidate Andrew Turn bull was offered the nomination, but, with the lack of spirit which charac- terized the early stages of the cleo ton. hs declined.
 The city ordinances were violated by both parties in the advertising of their caucuses, for notice was Hiven by means of posters tackled up on posts and trees. It was during the republican caucus Of that year. however, that a step toward modern ism was finally made by the decision that future political advertising would be through the medium of the newspapers
 Both parties withheld their cau- chses until the Friday night preced- ing election Monday. Then about zOo republicans gathered in Turner ball. where Chairman Orson F. Cur is of the town committee addressed them and L. Hoyt Pease was named chairman and s. J. Bergstrcm clerk. State Senator A.-J 6loper settled the choice of the caucus at the very start by nominating Charles kuper for first selectman. Senator Sloper was the idol of the voters and an expression of favor from him was enough to carry man or project to success. MT. Kuper was nominated and other candidates were chosen by ! exclamation without any semblance of opposition or real interest.
 In the meantime the democrats were meeting in the Casino. which was | political and athletic center before 1t became bowling and pool parlor. Judge John Roche was chairman, and there was quite a modern note in his keynote speech when he attacked republican ex- tyavagance. The selection Of candi- dates then went forward in just as periunctory | manner as with the republicans. MT .Hurlburt being re- elected.
 Saturday passed quietly. neither side engaging in any campaigning but on Sunday. a savagely disagree able day with torrential downpour, political venom broke loose with a fary excelling even that of the ele- Ipents. The postmaster at the time vas a republican. and he ordered o&t his entire force ot letter car rters for the delivery of specia mall. This mali. as was later proved i'd spite of the denials of the party involved, consisted entirely of re- publican circulars. And 1t was these circulars which wrought the havoc by the reaction which they aroused ia the average citizen.
 New Britain was decidedly repub lnan, and so 1t may be said that MT Average Citizen was a member O that party. On this particular after noon he was probably enjoying peaceful nap or smoke. safely be yond the terrific downpour. an' may have been having stray dream of the morrow. when he would cas his ballot for the party of Roose welt and the assassinated Mckinley Suddenly he was aroused by iSngl,ng of his doorbell. and upol answering it he was handed a sogs envelope by an even soggier lette c5rrier.
 Curious 10 know what was i'm portant enough to merit a specia delivery on a stormy Sunday, Nil Average Citizen tore open the en yelope, and his outraged calm va further shattered when he found en closed a circular beginning. "Wh are you going 70 vote the democrati ticket?' Mir. Average Citizen had no been going 10 do any such thing. bu in the sudden reaction to the insul he decided that he would. Tn greater sanctity in which the Sah hath was held in 1902 no doubt ha much 10 do with the violence of thi decision.
 The full extent Of this reactio was not appreciated by the demo cratic bosses. and they gathered i
 haste 10 meet these Curtis meth ods." They agreed that the pos'mas ter had granted the favor only 1
 rrturn for the town committee support for reaprointmen', and the We're not bashful about telling th voters of this. They proceeded to th counter.attack. and when NIT. A