The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-20
Young Democrats In
 Hectic Session Here
'sNew Guard" Suffers Crushing Defeat Robinson
 Out-"RevOIters" Stage Show

Forced to retire from his candi- dacy for reelection as president of the Connecticut Young Democrats when the state convention of the group took place Saturday after noon in Buckingham hall, John F. Robinson of this city was succeeded as head of the organization by At- torney John Cullinan of Bridgeport Robinson's withdrawal, demanded in the cause of harmony among the young democrats, constituted a vic- tory for the large number of mem- berS of the association who during the past several months have been demanding his retirement on the groun>.s that his handling of affairs as state president were antagonistic to many and of no benefit to the democratic party as whole.
 Hectic One
 Saturdays convention was a hec- tic one. interspersed with wrangling that in several instances almost reached riot proportions. Police on duty at the session were forced to restore order a few times.
 The election of Attorney Cullinan and the shake-up in other elective offices of the Young Democrats was considered not only 8 strategic step for harmony but an out-and-out victory for the "old guard" element within the state club.
 Other officers chosen were: First vice-president, Attorney Frank Od- lum of Unionville and Hartford; {; second vice-president, Mrs. Grace Manning of New London; secretary, Sarah Elizabeth Lane of Norwalk; i; treasurer, Daniel Riccio of Bristol.
 Honorary Office
 Robinson was named to a newly appointed post, that of chairman of the executive board. This "honor" is regarded as an honorary one, however, 1t has been disclosed as the executive board consists of the of- 1icers of the state Young Demo- crats and the two members of the national committee of Young Dem- ocrats from Connecticut. A major ity of them are anti-Robinson so the regime of the local man which caused such dissention in the ranks of the Connecticut Young Demo- crats was brought practically to 8 close with Saturdays con- vention.
 The delegatse representing the original Young Democratic club O. Waterbury were not granted seats in the convention Saturday. Tastoaa kb,a v.auy Gx,,,,a t1O rI1iIA hoo d |. ed by Bernard Mullen was recogniz- ed. The original club agreed, how ever, not to raise contest on the floor over this action after it was agreed at a conference that Attor- ney Carmine Cipriano, president of thp original club, would be permit ted to make second address in behalf of President Cullinan. The trump" club delegates violated this agreement on the floor, however. anI also went back on an agree ment to back 100 per cent the Cul- lillan slate. Therefore, 8 proposal to have the two local clubs merge and wait until the coming annual meeting of the group to pick new officers, is "up in the air." The trump" club delegates split on the slate that was elected, President Mullen of that group being unable to hold his delegates in line.
 Local Clubs "As Is"
 The status of the local clubs, therefore, remains as of before pending further attempts to adjust the difficulties existing. Had order prevailed at the convention Attor- ] ey Cipriano would have given the first formal seconding speech for Cullinan and Mullen would have spoken for his club when the vote took place.
 As a result of Saturdays election Attorney Odlum's forces will con- trol the executive board. This is im- portant in view of the old Robin son-controlled board which ruled out the local original clubs delega- tion and those of six clubs in Fair field county who were opposed to the Robinson regime. Through Att torney Cullinan's efforts the six clubs in Fairfield county were recog- rized.
 Meeting Cancelled
 Expresident Robinson received his