The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-03

 -m- Passing

Political gossip about the avail ability of J. Francis Smith of this city, former Chairman of the Democratic State Central Com mittee, will not down. Voiced m The Democrat some weeks ago 1t is repeated in the Hartford Times now with Art Mckinley, better known as a sports editor and cole umnist but now essaying the role of general all-around news col- umnist, furnishing the item. Ac- cording to his column of recent date prominent Connecticut Democrat" said: "The agitation for naming Governor Cross is just a smoke screen, I am sure, TOT some other candidate, possibly J: Francis Smith of Waterbury" Hats of to the new governor!
 When Democrats of the 18th senatorial district, down Fairfield County way, got together earlier this week they had 8 bOmDsnel dumped into their lap that only quick abusing on the part Of members present prevented from explosion. Ostensibly the session was to name successors to John T. Mccarthy, new state boss of the Democrats, in the State Central Committee and as county chair man. Really it developed into move to have the district endorse Prof, Jerome Davis, former Yale Theological School member, for the nomination of lieutenant-gov- ernor. The professor was removed from the school roster on the grounds he is 8 Communist, 8 charge he went to some pains 10 deny.
 Republican party leaders will tell the State Central Committee when the state convention is to he held at & meeting scheduled for August 12 at the Pennington Country Club. Caucus, primary, and other convention dates VIII also be fixed on this occasion. AL most a full month may elapse be- tween the dates of the Demo- cratic and COP sessions, accoro- ing to latest information on re- spective dates.
 The Democratic Town Commit tee of New London this week en- dorsed Dr, Wilbur L. Cross for the gubernatorial nomination and Mrs, Chase Going Woodhouse TOT Secretary of State. Last week a draft Cross movement came from the New London local Of the An- ternational Longshoremen's Asso- citation.
 Corporation Counsel J. Gregory Lynch, State Central Committee man from the 18th district, was the first to oppose the resolution preSented by J. Emmett Clarle or Killingly at the committee session in Sayin Rock Thursday night calling for reject of endorsement by other parties from Democratic nominees. The Clarie proposal aimed at just such tactics as en. abled the Union aPrty vote o1 1888 to give Gov. Raymond E. Baldwin a victory over ex-Gover- or wilbur L. Cross was finally withdrawn. Corp. Counsel Lynch very properly pointed out that It was a matter for the resolutions committee of the state convention and not the State Central Com mittee.
 Tickets are rapidly assuming shane, Take the Democrats for example. The delegates can have, at this writing Cross or Hurley for governor; Birmingham or Jerome Davis for lieutenant-governor; Mrs. Chase Going Woodhouse for secretary of state; Ely Culbert- son, ex-Representative William M. Citron or Dr. Frank Anastasia for congressman-at large. And there might be 8 Young Democrat movement any one of these days for Jugge John M. Bailey as can- didate for state treasurer or comptroller, although it has been rumored that ex-comptroller Charles c. Swartz of Norwalk would like to run again.
 Whether or not it's another move to ease Atty. Thomas J. Wall of Torrington out of the congressional picture it looks now as if the popular New City prose- cutor was slated for the Common Pleas Court appointment in Litchfield Count. Atty. Wall has been likely contender for the COP nomination in the Fifth Dis trict for several years past, but never got the chance to pit his political strength against that of Waterbury's own "Joe" Smith.