The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-10-02

amply merits the endorsement of tho voters of waterbury next Tues day when the city election takes place, Democratic State Chairman J. Francis Smith declared last night in an address over WATR. Chairman Smith pointed to the achievements of Mayor Hayes and the other members of tho qemo- cratic administration now in office. Tho record at any time would have been considered satisfactory; at this time 1t must be considered exceptional" declared the speaker. Waterbury's excellent school system. it's fine tax collection work and other outstanding features of the city wero referred to by Chair. man smith. The high standing Of Waterbury in the eyes of the coufi- try's leading financial houses was also pointed out. Chairman Smiths address follows:
 One week from to-day the voters of the City of Waterbury will select their municipal officers for tho two years fol- lowing next January 1sE
 Fundamentally, the issues of the election are two-fold. The question of whether or not the Democratic party shall continue to be the party having the re- sponsibility for the administra- ton of the affairs of this city, and the question as to whether or not the record of the present Hayes administration justifies it's continuance in office.
 Before proceeding to the actual discussion of these issues, I wish to make clear that I do not find it possible to consider an election campaign as a con- test between saints and sinners; between perfection on the one hand and pure evil on the other. Extravagant claims and grossly exaggerated criticism are equally absurd and equally insulting to the intelligence of the voter.
 Best Agency
 The Democratic party does not represent perfection but 1t does, in my firm opinion, represent tho best political agency through which the average individual can secure an administration, To- cal, state, Or national. that IS sincerely devoted to his inter ests. Tho Democratic party MUST devote itself to the bene- fit of the general mass of the people because if it does not have their support, 1t has noth- ing.
 There is no time here for an extended debate on the national questions and you may well ask what they have to do with the waterbury election. The an- nwer is obvious. Votes in fia- tiona1 election are not cast at large; every vote cast is cast in some town or city,-in some precinct or voting district, and 1t Sc the combined and accumu- Ented power and prestige of the various Democratic administra- tions throughout the country that are the strength of our na- tional party. The Waterbury administration, no less than the Democratic administration of thirty-nine of tho forty-eight states and the Roosevelt admin istration in Washington, repre- sents the Democratic party in its fight for the interests of all the all people.
 National Issues
 It is not through the desire of khe Democratic party that issues apart from local issues are in- jected into this campaign. These broader issues are inescapably here by virtue of the nature or political organization in this country. Furthermore, the Re- publican party, more interested in national than in local affairs, is making every effort in local elections this year because Of the effect that they will have in the 1936 elections. Just as In Waterbury the Republican party is making a renewed and vigor- ous effort in all local contests. Financial and moral support IS being obtained from individuals having slight interest in local af- fairs but actively interested in the destruction of the Roosevelt program. That is one reason for the interest which every Demo- crat must have in the result of this local election.
 This interest would not, how ever, extend to a desire to see victorious any local Democratic administration which was im- properly representing the party. The Democratic party would not benefit from the success of an administration which did not fairly represent Democratic principles. We can urge you to support the Hayes administra- ton only because 1t amply mer- it's that support and has truly and effectively worked for the benefit of the citizens of our city.
 I will make the fiat statement that I believe that the manner in which the administration of Mayor Hayes has conducted the affairs of this city through what has probably been the most try Ing perlOu III LH0 uIbtUEy oA thAD country Is worthy of commenda- ton and support. The record at any time would have been considered satisfactory; at this time 1t must be considered ex- ceptional.
 Criticism
 say this with full apprecia- ton of the fact that constant stream of criticism has been poured upon the administration and that every conceivable fault or deficiency has been publi- cized to the nth degree. I have neither the time nor the in- clination to attempt to answer in specific detail the individual at tacks that have been launched by the critics of our Democratic administration. The question as to whether or not any of these criticisms may be just would be important only if an unimagin- able and superhuman perfec- ton were claimed, or if the ex- aggerated emphasis placed on