The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-08-28
Democratic
Convention
Echoes
BY THE OBSERVER

There is every indication that the
State Democratic Convention con-
test between the Hurley-Cr adj
herents leaves no unpleasant after
math. 1t was not a bitter contest
between unfriendly forces, but rath-
er a test of two schools of political
thought and there were delegates
in either camp who would just as
soon vote the other way.
MIR. Hurley's principal handicap
was his support by the triumvirate
of Cummings pellacy- Fitz Gerald.
This was not his fault or neceS-
sarily his choice, but there are
many influential Democrats
throughout the State who resent
the perpetual influence and prom
inence of these old political war
horses who for years have held
lucrative city, state, and federal
jobs.
Many of the younger Democrats
recall that it was not until those
old leaders were pushed into the
political background by the Cross
group that the state party had its
first period of success in attaining
state Office, hence the opposition to
their temperance.
Much of the support of Cross
was based on the belief that he
could get small town support
which Hurley will not get and
which Is essential to victory in
Connecticut in spite of large DEM
ocrat majorities in some larger
cities. Time alone will prove or
disprove this theory.
One prominent and practical
Democrat was heard to say that
while he preferred Mr.. Hurley as a
more vigorous campaigner, never
theleSs if he were Bob Hurley he
would feel that he had a better
chance of becoming governor by
serving a term as lieutenant-gov-
ernor under Cross and then being
in line for future nomination than
by now running with such short
political history and experience. It
was some such belief rather than
a preference between the men which
accounted for Waterbury's stand for
Cross.
The ovation given Mayor Scully
for his eloquent speech nOminat-
ing Cross and the cordial greet
ings he received on all sides in
dictate he will have difficult time
avoiding future draft as state
candidate in spite of his repeated
assertions that he is not con-
cerned with any such opportuni-
ties. Waterbury may have been
ON the losing side in the guber-
material nomination, but the state
leaders do not forget that it was
the Scully victory i'm Waterbury
that gave them their first ray of
hope for a comeback after the
debacle of the last state election.
They know also that they cannot
win without Waterbury support
and big Waterbury majority.
This will give Waterbury more
rather than less consideration
from the Hurley camp in spite of
any beliefs to the contrary.
The state Republicans were more
afraid of Cross as a candidate than
they are of Hurley because OF the
formers fine record, his Yale con-
nections. and his popularity as COM
pared to Hurley's lack OF statewide
acquaintance and contacts.
Everyone comedies q close cleo
ton this fall unless European
events make It uneven ON one
side or the other. II Is generally
believed that the Socialist factor
Is negligible, but that the national
election n a strong factor and the
chances Of Democratic success
will rise or fall with those Of the
Roosevelt Wallace ticket. Many
state Democrats think this Is In
their favor; others would rather Il
were an off-year election and not
q national one. There h un-
doubleday some Democratic OBJ
jeetlOn 10 q thlrd-term for Presl-
dent Roosevelt, but whether Il n
sufficiently strong 10 make itself
felt remains 20 be seen.
Win or lose Bob Hurley can be
counted ON for q vigorous campaign
muoh more 80 than elderly Govern
or Gross could have waged or would