New Britain herald., 1929-04-13
Democracy's Rank and File


 Continues to Exist
 Democracy, so far as organization is concerned, was never at such a low point as it is today in New Brit ain. Both factions, that of which Mayor Paonessa appears to be lead CT. and the older faction of which the town committee is the back bone, are engaged in war to the bit- ter end. What promises to be prolonged fight is now in progress with both sides, at this writing, de- termined to rule.
 Such political metamorphosis has never before been witnessed in the history of New Britain. During the national campaign of 1928, the party was solidly united and with enthusiasm that swept everything before it, cut down the republican majority for the presidential candi- date from several thousand to sev- eral hundred. a remarkable feat in manufacturing community in New England. On that occasion democracy was at it's zenith. Today it seems to have reached it's nadir.
 But it is a popular fiction to be- leve that the democratic party has ceased to exist. Internal strife has weakened it, personal animosity has brought it to it's knees but repub- licans vii make a serious mistake if they believe that it cannot be ral- lied. Given an issue on which all factions can unite, the democratic party will spring from it's present position and offer a solid front. The men and women who made up the rank and file are still here and will hurry into action if given a reason. But they must stand aside for the time being while the factions fight it out 10 the end. A political party dies slowly. Its decomposition is gradual. No party that made such q strong showing on November can be considered dead on the fol- lowing April F. Things don't hap pen that way.
 session of Legislature
 Moves at Slow Pace
 Senators and representatives alike are of the opinion that the lcglsla- ture of 1929 is the slowest Of many sessions. During, and after the war reeds were plentiful for reconstruc- ton legislation. but now conditions are different. The birth control bill, the vaccination bill. and the wom- ems jury bill, are old stories. Wise legislative heads have stock argu ments to advance. Hearings before committees are much the same. so much so in fact that the judiciary committee is noticeably lrritated when an unsuspecting person re- peats his speech. They've gone through a reconstruction period in the state, and they cant even fight about roads--the highway comInis- sioner seems to have the final say on that matter
 The dirt road measure caused slight ripple which was quickly downed, the vaccination bill prom ised action but the judiciary con- mittee refused to meet in the hall of the house of representatives, and the crowd couldn't get in to make known their ideas.
 To the observer. the question arises, IS it possible that the state politicians are going stale?' The bills that used 10 interest them are shut Jif without much trouble, and the servant Of the people, the legislators, are running al right angles with the people who elect them.
 Party lines are very much in eNl- dence at the legislature which may account for the stalemate they have struck-every bill is machine Ns democrats and independents. Politi- cal eXpediency is the excuse for stay ing with the party. but if that idea gathers too much momentum there's a dropping off place in the otfing.