The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-11
BY EDWARD J. RYAN (Spec.aI to The Demccrat

| Litchfield April 9 - It has been many years since the Democrats of Litchlield County have shown the fire and enthusiasm which charac- terized the meeting of State and County Democratic leaders at their meeting Saturday evening which was held at the swanky Litchfield Hills Inn. The occasion brought forth the announcement of the can didacy of High Sheriff Sunderland A. BeckWith who will again seek the renominGticn and election as high sheriff on the Democratic tick 1 ct.
 As political campaigns get under way, there promises to be plenty ol political fireworks and it is an accepted fact that the residents of Litchfield County will witness one of the most hotly contested cam pajgns in years.
 Named By Governor Sheriff BackWith was appointed by Governor Wilbur [. Gross to fill q vacancy created by the death oi Sheriff Huntington. For many years, Turkington held the post as high sheriff of Litchfield county. During the last election, BeckWith opposed Turk.ngton but was beaten by less than 1000 votes. As yet the Republl- cans have not named or even sug- gested any one as sheriff on their ticket. First Selectman E. R. Kaiser of Thomaston has already announc- ed his intention of seeking the Re- publican nomination for the post However. it is doubtful whether he will have sufficient support to cllnch the nomination.
 Congressman J. Joseph Smith spoke on congressional legislation and pointed out that it was always the Democratic party which 1ostef- ed social legislation which would help the working man.
 Facing Facts
 State Democratic Chairman d. Francis Smith, brother of the con- gressman, said in part Devotion to social legislation should not blind the congress into passing laws mere ly because they bear liberal stamp. It is time to face the fact that the country has been slump and the problem is to get people back to work in a normal way.
 State Labor Commissioner 'epn M. Tone, possible candidate tor tile lieutenant governorship said: "A few years ago Connecticut was rated as cne of the worst states in the Union so far as labor conditions eX- isted. Today it rates with the very best and this great stride can be contributed only to the unrelentlng efforts of Governor Wilbur l.. cross and the Democratic party. The great following which Tone has cre- ated, the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow Democrats manifested itself at Saturdays all fair.
 State Liouor Commissioner Julius Stremlau of Meriden, the man "no is greatly responsible for the enact ment of the Old Age Assistance AcI and for many years member ol the state legislature said the Demo- cratic party has always promoted legislation which proved beneficial to the working classes. On one side of the house in the legislature you have a block of legislators fighting for social legislation, legislation to help all people, that side of the house, naturally is composed ot Democrats, on the other side of the house you find block of legislators who have always fought down that type of legislation and have been intent to enact class legislation. That block is comprised of Republi- cans.
 Hurley Speaks
 Public Works Commissioner Ro- bert A. Hurley, center of the con- troversy over the Merritt Parkway