The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-03
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1881
Democratic Weather


 The victory of Percy H. Stewart, demo- crat. over Donald H. Mclean, republican, in the special election held in the fifth New Jersey congressional district Tuesday IS eor- elusive evidence that decided swing to- wards the democratic party IS under way. Democrats like to believe that it started Tn lo3O and will still be rising in l932. Re: publicans are beginning to wonder IT, per haps this analysis isn't correct. hree this fall have democrats captured congressional seats that are normally republican. The first was in Michigan at the regular Novem- Der elections. week or so ago the lone district in Texas that has returned republi- can representative for ten years went demo- cratic. Now New Jerseys fifth district, normally republican. but democratic in the recent gubernatorial polling. has fortified the democratic cause.
 The standing in the House at this writ ing is 2l9 democrats, 2l4 republicans. l farmer labor and 1 vacancy. Congress eonvenes on Monday and 1t will be only catastrophe that prevents the democratic party tIle liouoe' III 'iie oei' ate the republicans preserve a majority Of one: two if Senator Hendrck Shipstead. farmer labor, of Minnesota votes with them. There is some talk of republican senators absenting themselves on Monday so that the democrats would be forced to organize that body. too, and thus face the diverse problems that may wreck either partys presidential chances in l932. Small chance of that to our way of thinking
 This democratic trend is causing some trcpidation right here in Connecticut. Not in democratic circles to be sure. Democrats seem to be more concerned over their party arrangements than winning the l932 cleo ton But in republican councils it IS un derstood that grave matters are being dis crssed According to the Hartford Times there may be a complete new deal when the state convention of republicans arrives next lali. In other words the theory of success sion to the title, whether it results in merely nomination or nomination and election both, is rumored to be scheduled for discard. Henceforth. republican candidates will stand sclely on their merits and not on their previous experience in minor political offices.
 There was hint at this intention upon ihc part of republican leaders when Harry E. Mackenzie. Roraback lieutenant in Fair hcld county. announced some days back that republicans in that section of the state were behind Ex-Representative Schuyler Merritt of Stamford for governor and Frederick P. Salmon of Westport for Congress. Mir Sal
 tla ho has held so many years is not surprising. It has been known that he desired change. If he contests Representative William L. Ticrneys office next year he may find the going harder than he would as member of d ticket that ordinarily is given clear sailing at the polls.
 We aren't SO sure that the veteran legs- lltor. Schuyler Merritt. will take kindly to the boom for governor that his friends are sponsoring. He might consider that dear old gentleman from Yale" tougher nut to crack than Mr Rorabaok did in l930 We'll wager Mir Rorabaek himself won't be so loquacious when the campaign gets under way next year. In the meantime 1t looks as if the race in the republican ranks would 10 to the swiftest, The fact that he is lieu tenant governor won't help Samuel R. Spen- eer of Suffield one bit He must win his spurs next year against the field. And the field will be well cluttered with aspirants including several other incumbent republi- can officials not to mention those who have gone before and failed. In such circum- stances democratic success at the polls. from top to bottom. ought to be more easily achieved than il was in l93O