The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-30

Represented C1ty m nght agalnSG
 merit system referendum, served
 as counsel for Democrats in re-
 cent proceedings. recount, with Republicans leading another court battle to obtain &C., cess to the 54 voting machines where, rumor had 1t, at least 100 votes would be found illegally counted, Thus, was the upset of the slim 55 votes of Mayor Hayes vic- tory of Senator Culhane sought, and similarly believed possible in the matter of votes for other ofn- ces.
 With the recount came conflrma- ton of General Moderator James R. McMahon's multi-tabulated totals and the feud of ballots was thought ended.
 Currently, again the matter of what the election intended is before the court, in fact, out of the su- perior court and on Its way to the supreme court of errors. This time Controller elect Sherwood L. Row land has sanction of the superior court to fire and hire in his office, contrary to the opinion of Corpor- ation Counsel Charles s. O'Connor, who will maintain before the su- preme court that the mayor has this prime prerogative.
 Contest Turns
 Battle looms, as the year turns the corner, for some of the alder manic board In their ambitions to be the Republican president of that aggregation of potent citizens. There the alignment is, eight Republicans, seven Democrats, with the tables of the last term turned in political array. There, too, is one paying job, the presidency, with the stipend of $750 attached. There, lastly, is one of the consolation prizes of the mixed election, now sought by at least four of the Republican alder men, who, as the hours tick by, are at odds over whose ambition shall find support of the J. Warren Up- son political gadget.
 Repercussions of the political feud which saw several thousand Democrats deserting the administra- ton to see sunnier spots in the civic scheme will continue through at least the first part of 1888. The town clerk, Dora A. Egan, incum. bent Democratic veteran who left her party for the Fusion candidacy and defeat, yields office after long tenure, and with her will go sev. eral who followed her tendencies.
 Await Decision
 Veterans of 16 years and more in the controllers office will await verdict of the highest court while Independent Democrats demand recognition from the Republicans by appointments there, If and when, The merit system has been turned back by the Republicans to the mayor, who has promised drastic reorganization and has appointed 0 non-partisan committee to draw up a merit plan for Waterbury.
 Thus, with 1888 taking over at city hall, Waterbury's scene of ad- ministrative purpose is scene, too, of a hangover" which the bro- mides of the courts have yet to cure. Bitterness hangs in thick clouds over the headquarters of many a racial groups meeting place while the politicians of the groups make demands on one party and another, demands that likely will fail or result under the regime of reorganization, under the scarce reaping of the Republicans with the attempted reorganization for the future paramount to all of the present.
 Tax Rate
 The year starts with a tax rate of 3l mills, Q reduction of one-half mill, and even the budget was sub ject to Republican attack, the con- troller's audits questioned by the controller elect, spurred by the Re- publican town chairman.
 What will the first months bring to city hall? Will the Republicans finally be able to seize few Of the "spoils" they have ascribed to the administration? Will the changes in city departments be so far-reaching as to disrupt the organization which failed to bring complete victory last fall?
 Turn the calendar yourself, for your surmise is as good as the next ones, as the saying goes.