The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-27
A Win at Any Cost

It has been quite evident for some time that republicans of this city, at least those allied with the present group Ill control of the party are seeking victory at any cost this year. Their spokesmen from time to time keep referring to the fact that the party has not had victory in Waterbury in 16 years. They don't announce that due to the inability of the party to make a good fight at the polls state leaders continually ignore the city. However, this shouldn't worry local g.o.p leaders as the state party is now ln about the same boat as the local one.
 At any rate the fact that the republi- can vote of 1885 plus the independent democratic vote of the same year sur passed that of the democratic ticket has so enthused the boys that they have con- ceived the brilliant idea of having the same set of candidates for both tickets. And what's more reasonable than to have the head of the ticket a candidate who has announced that he wants the democratic nomination, but who prob- ably wouldn't get it if Mayor Hayes wanted it. And the latter has indicated that he will again accept the nomina- tion of the party to which he has always given complete and undivided loyalty.
 The stage has been set; the first char acter appears back stage and advances to the footlights. His line is Get Hayes!" Enter group of other characters who intone the same line in Sing-song fash ion. That's the picture today as one old time political party sells itself down the river for the chance of trying to oust from office a group of officials they don't like and never will like Naturally independ- ent democrats hold the same thought or they wouldn't align themselves with the "wrecking crew.. Little or nothing is heard about party principles or plat forms, because there aren't any.
 What the status of State Senator George T. Culhane today is, we confess we don't know. Several weeks ago he was still "a democrat. Today he is the candidate of the republican and inde- pendent democratic parties. He can yet seek the nomination of mayor on the democratic ticket by opposing Mayor Hayes at the democratic primaries. It doesn't look, though, as if he would, for in his acceptance speech last night Sem ator Culhane said in part: !" As demo- crat who has served my party and the city faithfully during two terms in the Senate, am sure will receive the sup
  ing of democracy. ..."
 This would seem to mean that just because person is democrat, has been one all his or her life and has voted the democratic ticket consistently and is proud of the fact, there is no reason why this person should not change in 1887 and vote republican or ndependent-demo- cratic. But, why, MT. Culhane? If it is just because you are the candidate for office, why not say so and be done with it. If it is because you are bitterly op- posed to Mayor Hayes and his adminis- tration as are the two parties whom you now officially represent, let's have it on your say-so. If this is to be grudge fight in 1887, let's tell the public that and forget the pious eXclamationS about the public, the "ballot," "waste and mis- management" the latter two words an expression that surely you picked up from those zealous critics of our fair city, the morning and evening paper com bination.
 The public might be better pleased if you had come right out last night and said, "Im out to get Hayes; are you with me?" That's what the parties and in- terests you now represent have as their aim and have had for some few years to come. Politics, as you yourself said last night, has tits advantages and disadvantage"