The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-12

 the 1899 legislature on January fourth as result of the stand taken Friday evening on Commit tee Organization by the Demo- cratic Senators elect at their hec- tic three hour session.
 The organizat tion issue will rise on the question of Joint rules to govern the legislature of 1899. The Democrats war. a continual tion of the separate system as was adopted by the 1897 session of the General Assembly. I ex- pect the leaders of the Republi- can party to frown on this Sys- tenn since many of them agree that the 1885 legislature adopted the correct system, namely the Joint Committee System.
 Under the system which was employed by the 1897 legislature, separate House and Senate Com mittees were chosen and held their public hearings together, yet each committee acted as an individual unit.
 For example the House com mittee might report favorably on a certain bill and after it had been passed by the lower House 1t was passed along to the Senate. The Senate would refer the meas ure to its committee, which in turn a favorable report or the bill might die in the committee.
 In 1897 the Senate committee consisted of four Democrats and one Republican which means that the Democrats control this committee.
 The House committee included II Republicans and 4 Demo- crats which meant that the g. o. p. controlled this committee.
 Under the joint system which is what was used during 1885 and may very likely be used during the coming session, the House and Senate act as single unit and both parties are represented on the same committees.
 However, should the Democrats succeed in gaining control of the Senate and should the legislature adopt the separate organization plan it will mean that the Demo- crats will control all of the Sen- ate committees while the House will control the House committee. Such plan if passed will put the Republicans on the defensive, since they will be compelled to play with the Democrats in order to get its legislative program through the legislature. On the other hand should the joint or ganization system be employed the Democras will be left holding the bag" since they will be out numbered on all of the commit tees.
 17 Democrats
 In the 1899 session the Demo- crats will have the greatest num- Der of Senators with the number at IT. The Republicans will have 16 and the Socialists will hold the balance of power with two mem bers. If Audubon Secor Socialist of Bridgeport is nominated as President Pro tenn you can bet all the tea in China that the two Socialist votes will go to the Re- publicans. Secor is very i'll at the moment and this illness might make it impossible for him to accept the important post. In this case it would seem likely that his Socialist mate from the same city will get the nomination. Charles Arrigoni of MiddleseX County is the leading contender for the Re- publican leader of the Senate. Arrigoni is also the leading con- tender for the juicy political plum as highway commissioner of the state.
 Thus, regardless of which pro cedure is adopted one thing be- comes a certainty and that is the fact that the Democrats must use their best senator as minority leader, or majority leader, which ever case it may be. For there will be considerable cenniving to be done and unless the Democra- tic Senate leader is on his toes it might be that the Democrats will be completely ignored.
 Clerkship
 At the Democratic bow WOW Friday were Governor Wilbur L. Cross, Smith and Philip HeweS, executive secretary of the gol er- nor. This means to my way of thinking that MT. HeweS wants the nomination for clerk of the Senate. William J. Thresher of South Windsor wants to be assist ant clerk.
 All things considered, if the bosses of the party are to have their way Joseph Downes will be nominated as Democratic leader of the Senate.
 I say this despite the fact that I know Culhane is the ONE mar the Democrats should nominate ! as their leariAr
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