The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-20
Current
Political
Gossip

The announcement that Cover
nor Baldwin has decided to "al-
low" his name TO be presented for
the Republican presidential 1lom-
nation at Philadelphia next week
comes without the slightest ele.
ment of surprise being attached 10
1t. The principal direct result Is
all end to the farce of these past
many months, wherein the COVER
nor was insisting that he had no
political ambitions beyond Hart
ford but at the same time was do
ing everything possible TO project
himself into the national spot
light.
Political observers pointed out
time and again that Mr.. Baldwin
was not making political speeches
from coast TO coast Just 10 win
friends for Connecticut. Yet the
governor kept insisting that he was
not O candidate for any office
higher than the one he holds.
Press agents we're hired TO build
a Baldwin boom as soon ~ the
present Republican state admins
tration took office. Mr.. BALDWIN
also began O series Of barnstori1l-
ing tours that took him as far as
the West Coast and that has In.
cluded several jaunts TO distant
states.
Everything since Mr.. Baldwin
took office was almost obviously
aimed at winning national publicity
for the governor, and making him
well-known enough TO the public
that IL would not be entirely
startled when his name was pre-
sented at the national convention"
The governor, however, Nperslst-
ed in denying any ambitions for
national 0fficc.
sam Pryor, Jr, Of Greenwich.
popularity regarded as the "angel"
of the Republican state organlza-
ton, has been the director OF the
Baldwin movement. It was he
who arranged for the traflscoi1-
tinental tour, and for the speaking
appearances In various parts OF the
country. It Is he who has Kept
steadily at the 'build-up' Tor
Baldwin.
The Baldwin supporters see
little chance for their man TO win
the Presidential nomination, but
they do see chance for him TO
be the vice presidential candidate.
Second place on the ticket might
possibly 20 10 Mr.. Baldwin II the
presidential nominee Is from the
West or tho Midwest. Nominal
tion of Mr.. Dewey or Mr.. Willkie
would leave Mr.. Baldwin out OF
the picture entirely. But should
The nominee be someone like Sen.
ator Taft, or Gov. Brickcr, both OF
Ohio, the Baldwin camp believes
that It's man has q good chance OF
being struck by political light
ming.
Congressmsn j. Joseph Smith
plans to present to the Military
Affairs committee. OF which he Is
a member, q bill allowing the army
TO lend equipment to home defense
units now being organized In sew.
eral states. including Connecticut.
The home defense forces would
take the place Of the National
Guard, should the latter organiza-
ton be called to active duty.
The home defense force In Con.
necticut II to be made up OF World
War veterans. Units are 70 be
organized IN all cities and towns
OF the state.
The nominating speech for Gov.
Baldwin OF Philadelphia Is TO be
eiven by II. 8. Senator John A.
Danaher. 5econding speeches ore
Il, the process OF being arranged
Attorney Carminc Clprlano. one
Of the Waterbury delegates 10 the
Democratic national convention at
Chicago next month, has appoint
cd ~ his alternate Miss Eleanor
Alien, of New London. Miss Al
len IA a member Of thee Executive
board Of the Connecticut Young
Democrats.