The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-10

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to win; Congressman Smith and
Stanley to win; Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Michigan, Republican; New
York very close; Culhane, GOsS too
close to tell; Waterbury majority
to Democrats, 3,40O NOnergan had
over 335O) =. There was an
anti-New Deal trend :. Poor or
only fair batting average-McLevy
to get $500 votes The got 10000 F.;
Cross to win by $4,000 The lost
by small margin, but this was not
not too far Off; KOpplemann to
win, he lost; Healey to take Wa
terbury by 1000; he took it by
1880 plus; Egan to win by $500;
he won by 1890.
Now, what did the election
prove?
First, the most amazing and
interesting fact that $4,000 peo-
pie in Waterbury will desert the
two old parties under certain cir
cumstances.
Second, that eighty per cent Of
those voting for McLevy voted the
straight Socialist ticket for candi-
dates they did not know or could
not even name, in fact might have
been shocked to learn about if
they had been elected - a very
dangerous and undesirable thing
as far as elections go and show
ing an indifference to political
consequences which is not healthy
or conducive to honest public in
terest and care in good govern
ment.
Third, that the Socialist vote
came from the other two parties
in approximately the same pro-
portion, more from the Demo-
Gratis, as predicted in this column,
but in about the proportion of
$4,000 to $4,000 which is the DEM
ocrat-Republican ratio in town.
Fourth, that there was no con-
certed Independent Democrat
voting, but 80 to 80 per cent Of
this Independent vote was back
in the Democratic fold as predict
ed in this column.
Fifth, that LOnergan and Smith
got q lot Of Republican support
in Waterbury as we predicted and
for their independence in voting
against the supreme court bill and
sinilar measures.
Sixth, that percentage of
Democrats always vote Republic
can in state or national elections
but not in local.
Waterbury is still Democratic;
itS Democratic party will be a
combination of all factions In a
new harmony.
While q large part Of the heavy
McLevy vote locally can be
ascribed to the newspaper stories
Of the grand jury inquiry into mu-
nicipal affairs, this affected both
parties propOrtiOnately and there
was no indication that Democrats
had deserted their party because
Of it any more than Republicans
did. Most Democrats, as the law
itceIf, believe in the innocence of
neeny OF those accused until they
are proved guilty.
The local election was clean.
Much less money was spent by
both parties than is usual. The re-
suits in the state and national Of
fees might have been reversed if
the Democrats of the state had
concentrated on Waterbury and
campaigned more vigorously.
It's over anyway, but there were
some good lOsers-Goss, Rice, Nc
Gurk, Cohen, for instance.
Edward P. Egan, Waterbury's
new Senator from the 10th Dis
trict, was as modest in victory as
in the campaign. He left the mat
ter entirely to the voters as he be-
lieved it should be. With the even
distribution Of the State Senate
we should get some good legisla-
ton in Connecticut and Water
bury's two senators will have an
important voice in all matters.
The threat of a few Independent
Democrats to cut "Joe" Smith did
not affect him much. He ran high
in Waterbury and any such cut
ting was offset by Republican votes
for the sincere, intelligent, honor
able official which he Is.
The Republicans can blame the
unintelligent action of a few thou
sand of their own number who
voted the straight Socialist ticket
for the defeat of Johnnie Goss in
the 18th District. They gave
neither the time nor thought to
giving him a vote and could have
elected him by 1000 or more if they
had wished. There were $500
straight Socialist votes in that dis
trict. So 1t goes, but some of the
local Republican leaders are quite
peeved about it.
Some Democrats cut Attorney
Patrick Healey, but lot Of Re-
publicans voted for him, knowing
his long record of honorable prac-
tice in Waterbury.
Brother Bill Pape is reciting
those famous fines, "Of all the
words of tongue or pen, the sad
dest these, 1T might have been"
The Socialists and Republicans
will undoubtedly get together to
organize the state Senate ON an
1917 basis against Democrats
who, although q majority party
with II to 16 to 2 will be a minor
ity in fact and organization.
nrneiIaraf Doocoua1k hoe Loot