New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-08
GIVE NE AN ISSUE
ANDILL Be Mayor
Many Of Gty's Chief Executives
Won With One Argument

into office by reason of the fact that
they have been wise enough to seize
upon an issue, popular issue, and
play 1t for all its vote drawing worth.
Followers of New Britain politics
have seen this truth worked out very
often, and New Britain in this re-
spect is typical of all other commu-
mites.
There are few instances where
ether elements play a larger part
than the star issue. A notable one
was the case Of George NJ. Landers,
who in 1906 was elected to the may
or's Office OH wave OF personal pop
ularity. A man of handsome appear
ance who. in spite of recognized 50
clal position, was of a most dem o.
cratic nature, the mere mention of
his name as a candidate for mayor
was enough to excite enthusiastic in
terest, and he was elected. That his
popularity did not suffer as result
of two terms in the mahogany fur
nshed suite at city hall. was proven
when, in 1912, after he had switched
political affiliations from the repub-
lican TO tt democratic party, he
was elected to the council from the
sixth ward, and twice thereafter re-
elected. Had he been willing to con-
1nue as councillor he would have
been returned again In 1918, but he
withdrew from politics at that time.
HalIoran's Aim Was Economy
Joseph NJ. Halloran. democrat.
came out as a candidate for mayor
in 1910 after he had fought consist
entity for lower taxes and had laid
the bla re for increasing government
costs to tn administration of city
affairs. HIS promises to efftc pro-
gram OF economy. together with an
aggressive drive for better transpor-
tation service in the city brought him
10 the foreground OF popular favor.
and he went into office to fulfill his
promises. He evidently satisfied the
electorate and was rewarded with a
second term.
Quigiey Made Own Issues
The issue selected by George A.
Quigley-alleged lack of proper care
and treatment of the town farm in
mates-was one that created i'm
mepse interest and with the Quigley
aggressiveness behind it there were
few in the city who did not have
a conversing acquaintance with the
- ON
municipal ice-house and the city po-
tato patch were outstanding topics
Of discussion in the two elections
which followed, and in all three
cases Quigley was returned as the
city's mayor.
Curtis Wins On Desire for Changr
The clamor that periodically aris-
es in every city for readjustment OF
the government and general
checking up came, in 1920 when
Oryon +. Curtis was elected mayor.
mainly on account of his long pc
riod Of service as a councilman and
an alderman. and the belief that he
had accumulated sufficient knowl-
edge to be a master of governmental
problems. The fact that Quigley lad
been six years in office was against
him when he went into primary
tight with Curtis. and the desire for
a change asserted itself when the
veteran council member won the
nomination. Curtis then faced sim
liar condition when he was pitted
against Joseph NJ. Halloran. making
his fourth bid for the mayors chair
Paonessa Champion OF People
Angelo n. Paonessa championing
the rights Of the people" as an al
derman, and fighting relentlessly
against public utilities brought him
forward as the logical candidate OF
the democratic party in 1922. and
he was the peoples choice. He had
opposed increases in electric rates
and he fought attempts on the part
Of the trolley company to curtail
service and to increase rates; he
took 4 forward step with the first
attempt toward higher bus fares and
he fought consistently and success
fully in this direction.
The desire for a change and un-
willingness on the part Of the pub
lie, at that moment, to return vet
eran mayor to office. made II pos
sible for Gardner c. Weld. compare
lively unknown in politics. to best
Quigley in a primary, and then trim
Paonessa at the polls. to be the city's
mayor in 1926.
Claims OF improper practices IN
the department of public works,
supported by the disclosures Of a
municipal probe, was the vehicle by
which Paonessa rode to victory last
spring in one Of the few comebacks
any candidate has made in this
city.