New Britain herald., 1930-10-27

Although the voters of New Brit ain and Berlin will vote on Nov. for judge of probate in contest for the first time since 1904, the Alling- Mangan fight for the place has none of the features that characterized the Gaffney-klett battle in the dim and distant past. In fact, there is no fight. Two prominent men are seeking an office which only one can get and the voters probably have had their minds made up long ago.
 Not so, howevere, in 1904. There has never been a political contest in New Britain like it since. It was a humdinger, nothing short of d rip roaring, knock -down-and drag out battle from start to finish. The Quigley- Curtin contests of later years were pink tea affairs by con- trast.
 Heavy Vote Recorded
 Judge Gaffney won and has been in office since, being endorsed by the republicans in the years that have passed. There were 6,230 men entitled to vote in New Britain and all but 446 used their franchise. It was the largest vote in the city up to that time.
 The winners vote was as follows: 1st ward, 306; 2d ward. 344; Sd ward, 373; 4th ward, 599; 5th ward, 6S1; 9th ward, S73; total 3,176. The late Judge Kletts vote was as fol- lows: 1st ward, 534; I'd ward, 5S6; Sd ward, 6S5; 4th ward, 559; 5th ward, PTS; 9th ward, 316; total, D. 90G. Berlin gave Judge ISiett a ma ,icrity Of 43, which was not sufficient to offset the Gaffney majority i'll New Britain.
 Sloper Guards Turn Out
 That was the year the Sloper Guards. explained by the late Cap tain Hanford l.. Curtis, made their appearance, also the Hardware City Battery in charge of William H. Scheuy. The Guards were nattily dressed in khaki uniforms and rough rider" hats, and carried wooden guns surmounted by torches. The sergeants carried red lanterns.
 The battery wore khaki trousers with red stripes, and blue shirts. They carried lanterns and pulled a cannon, which they tried out on Walnut Hill park and found it worked perfectly.
 The nomination of Judge Gaffney by the democratic caucus in Con- mercial hall on Main street was a surprise, as the late Judge James T. Meskill was thought to have a present town clerk in Hartford, an- nounced for Judge Meskill that his preference was for Judge Gaffney. The nomination was unanimous and J. P. Quinn, MT. Gleason and John Hackett of Berlin were appointed a committee to inform the nominee, who was in his office in the Stanley building. After 15-minute con- ference with Judge Meskill. Judge Gaffney agreed to accept the nom- ination.
 Many New Britain residents who are now listed with the "old timers" recall those days. The late Denis Riordan was chairman of the caucus and Philip J. Tormay. now retired. was clerk. The New Britain delegates were the late Councilman Maroney, J. P. Quinn, MT. Tormay. w. W. Whaples, the late Peter Dorsey, the late MT. Riordan, John Dunlay holding proxy for his brother, the late William J. Dunlay. and Mir. Gleason holding the proxy of P. r. McDonough. Edward Bagley, John Hackett and John Moore represented Berlin.
 Atwood Elected Senator
 William E. Atwood, now presl = dent of the New Britain Trust Co.,, was elected state senator over the late Judge Walsh in the same cleo ton, the vote being 3601 to 2451. E. Allen Moore and Stone J. Berg strom were elected representatives over William H. Caldwell and Will liam C. Hillard.
 The Herald announced the cleo ton returns by screen and mega