The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-04-25
Heard And Overheard
- around -
The State Capitol

He recommended legislative ap-
proval Of gubernatorial appoint
ment of a special paid committee
to handle personnel affairs.
BY the way, the new merit sys-
tenn rules, which cover more than
100 pages, will not go into effect
until new state personnel direc-
tor is appointed.
The state budget division has
completed a survey Of the state
insurance division, and the re-
port Is being studied this week
by State Insurance Com. John
c. Blackall, Governor Baldwin and
Finance Commissioner o. Glenn
Saxon.
The report predicts an annual
saving of $4,000 in the depart
ment if certain changes are made
employees reclassified, duties aban-
doned, and some help let go.
The budget division is now work.
ing on a report concerning uni
f1cation Of the state agriculture,
dairy and food, and domestic ami
mails departments.
There may be a free for all for
the Democratic congressional NOM
nation in the first Hartford
county, district. Former Rep.
Herman p. Kopplemann has not
yet made known whether he in
tends to seek another term.
Others, however, are not watt
ing for Kopplemann to speak.
Among those who would like the
nomination are Judge John M.
Bailey, Hartford; State Sen. John
L. Sullivan, New Britain; Thomas
F. McDOnOugh, West Hartford;
Michael w. Bannan, New Britain,
and Rep. Joseph p. O'Connell,
Bristol.
Republicans report there is some
concern over who is to lead the
states delegation to the Republic
can national convention-State
Chairman Benjamin E. Harwood
or Governor Baldwin.
In past years, j. Henry Rora-
back, who was both national COM
mitteeman and state chairman,
headed the Connecticut delega-
ton. But now, there Is a group
which feels the governor should
head the group, while others feel
HARDWOOD should continue the par
ty policy of having the state chair
man lead the delegation.
With a wide open convention In
prospect, the position of leader is
as lucrative one because he would
be In on conferences which would
decide the course of the conven-
ton.
There is q leading Republican
state representative who Is will
ing to wager several thousand
dollars at even money" that Gov
ernOr Baldwin, II he runs, will be
reelected regardless of whom the
Democrats nominate for president
or governor.
This gentleman is convinced the
governor "has sold himself to the
people and has united the party
behind him."
And there Is prominent DEM
ocrat who insists the party is
a mistake in not attack.
ing the governor or his policies.
Democratic state headquarters"
he said, "are following the policy
OF building UP information against
the governor, with the idea of US
ing 1t at one shot during the
Il thinl- THU is wrong. 1t should
be used as soon as 1t can, and not
permit the governor to build up
prestige. There are many phases
Of the governors program which
are vulnerable, and a Democratic
policy Of silence is not the COR
rect one at this time"
Rep. Mayo s. Purple, East
who is about so years
Did and the dean Of Connecticut
startled everyone by
announcing his return to the Re-
publican caucus list.
Purple withdrew from the party
n 1882 after scrap with Town
Chairman Hubert Hodge and ran
or the legislature as q Democrat.
He was elected and then reelected
hree times, in 1885, he served MS .
republican representative from
Middle Haddam, making five terms
n all
Rep. Puppies action In return
ng 70 his old party came after y
florida conference with State
chairman BENJAMIN E. HarwOOd,