New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-03
CAMPAIGN Of 1904
Strenuous Battle
Republicans md Democrats b.
cited 0I9 Roosevelt md Plrk9

cited 0I9 Roosevelt md Plrka
The fire and excitement Of the
present political campaign appear to
have sileuced the old timers who.
At every presidential election. have
lonsed for the long past days when
there was interest in politics. but
even 70 there was quality about
those contents which has not been
recaptured during this wild struggle.
This campaign 10 the closest ap-
preach In years, but those Of few
decades ago yet hold their con-
traSts and maintain honor ~ being
campaigns in which apathy was yet
unheard Of.
The campaign Of 1904. WIZ
Theodore Roosevelt opposed Judge
Alton b. Parker. was not at all
close. but 1t produced a great deal
Of excitement and pleasure for those
involved. People didn't vote then be-
cause 1t was q duty, nor even be-
cause they considered 1t a right.
For them q political campaign was
cross between a dignified social
function and Z lark. Anyone who
was anyone" was active. Interest
was real. but not In the tense and
bitter sense that 1t IL this fall. for
there was not'a particle of mud
singing. The campaign simply gave
the people another chance to grow
excited and show their patriotism
and good citixenship-and have =
wonderful time doing 1t.
Nationally tho election bore much
resemblance to the present one. In
both cases the republican bosses
were rather forced to select men
who did not appeal to the "bosses"
but who were wanted by the ma
jority Of voters within the party.
And In both instances the democrats
abandoned old tactics which appeal
ed to the poorer classes and adopt
ed planks which identified Them
selves with big business" AZ much
as their opponents were entangled.
The republicans selected President
Roosevelt for another term, but 1t
was only after Wall street had made
a determined effort to sidetrack tho
man who had been combating the
trusts" The democrats wrangled
for days, over their platform but
finally discarded free silver Gas free
trade has now been disowned) and
adopted 4 gold standard plank in an
effort to win the East. Judge Park
er Of New York was then named az
candidate. -.
Locally. the 1904 election was
far different from that Of 1928. for
the democrats made almost no CAM
paigp and allowed the republicans
to remafn In the limelight from
start To finish.
banners Raised to Music
The first step in the campaign
was taken by the G. O. F. when.
carly In September. 1t swung a huge
Roosevelt and Fairbanks'' banner
across Park street from the p. & F.
Corbin factory. the workers doing
their task to the tune Of music fur
nished by the Philharmonic band.
Another went up on Main street n
few days later between the Hale
and Lee blocks, the American band
psoviding music on this occasion.
The occasion was successful in spite
Of heavy rain, and large crowd
followed the bandsmen to head
quarters, where former Senator A..
J. sloper. Judge James 8. Cooper.
and other prominent republican.
made the first local speeches OF the
campaign. Berlin had a similar oc-
caslon when 4 streamer was flung
across the street near J. c. Lincoln's
home. and again Judge Cooper
spoke. A cavalry squad. a marching
club In Rough Rider: uniforms.
and other units paraded before the
ceremony took place.
The democrats fired their first
1hn at the end Of September. when
they hold 4 rally In the East Main
street armory. The late W. F. De-
l&ney was chairman. and the late
Jpdss John J. Walsh was the prin-
ctpal speaker. Imperialism was the
issue raised. 1t being charged that
the government intended to keep
Cuba and was extravasant In admin
isterins the Philippines. This party
also raised q banner. putting 1t
across Main street from the Hotel
Bronson to the Begley block to the
tune of music by the Philharmonic
band. A group Of boys strung an
other over High street, with two
ffers. q drummer. and IS worth of
red fire to help.
What HO! The Guards!
Marching organizations were
formed by the republicans. The
sloper Guards were possibly the
most prominent OF these. These or
Plantations. captained by Hanford l..
Curtis. numbered about 100 and
wore khaki uniforms and rough rid
er hats. carrying wooden guns with
torches on the end. This group had
first been organized In 1900 when
A. J. Sloper was state senator ana
the idol Of New Britain republicans.
Another group was the Hardware
City battery, Of which William H.
Scheuy was captain. Other officers
included A. H. Griswoid, ssecond
lieutenant: Charles +. Scott chief
gunner: w. W. Squire. first assist
ant: Eugene Barnes. Burt Morey,
and William Dyson. first sergeants;
ana Henry Scheuy, trumpetcr. The
uniform consisted Of khaki trousers
and blue shirts, and the battery act
ually had a cannon.
The first big republican rally took
place in mid-October in the old Ca,
sino. now the Stanley Arena. the
late Judge r. L. Hungerford being