The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-10
Monagan's Position
 Praised By Scully
Mayor Lauds Congressional Candidate in Radio Talk Claims District Should Not Reverse l94O Decision

regret their action If they send John Monagan to the highest leg islative body in this country, the Congress of the United States.
 It has been attested by the press of both parties that both John Monagan and his Republican op- ponent arc men of integrity and ability. I accept and subscribe 10 this judg- lent and I am pleased that I can Go so. This affords the proper plane for considera- tion of the respective qualifica- tionS of these two candidates. The supporters of the Republican can didate base their campaign on the claim that we need more Re- publican representation i'll Con- gress They say that the Republi- can minority needs to be strength ened in order to contribute to our war effort. You have observed the nature of their campaign so far and know that I have accurately describe it. I ask you to note carefully the basis on which your support is sought. You are asked to support the Republican candi- date primarily because he is a Republics and as such will be in dependent of President Roosevelt. We are entitled to review the rec ord and to consider the nature of this Republican independence. Certainly no one Woulu urge the support of a man without inde- pendence and personal integrity of mere rubber stamp.
 The Democratic candidate, John Monagan, is man of independent judgment. He is loyal to President Roosevelt but his independence of mind could not be denied in the light of his own record. It is not necessary to elect a political opponent of President Roosevelt in order to secure the proper sort of independence We need look TO farther than our own Congression- al District for demonstration. Judge, was member of Congress, he was a consistent supporter of President Roosevelt, ir. all legis- lation which he felt promoted the cause of securing more just and stable domestic economy. He was a conspicuous supporter of all moves for national strength and safety.
 As is we'll known he did not hesitate to vote his convictions when he believed that a proposal was adverse to the national vel fare. In another way he dem onstrated his independence of thought and action. It has been said that he, single-handed, se- cured the enactment of the educa- tional orders bill This bill was credited with saving from eleven to eighteen months in the manu- fracture of badly needed war mate rials. Long, long ago he sponsored an amendment which authorized the creation of stock piles of strategic materials such as rubber and tin. These were examples of independent action by a congress- man.
 In short, repeat that it is not necessary to elect a political op- ponent of President Roosevelt in order to secure constructive short of independence The independ- ence of mind of John Monagan is freely admitted by the Repub- lican press. It is clear that this is not the sort of independence on which the Republican candi- date bases his campaign. He re- fers to a political independence, CT, more accurately, political opposition. I would not say that the Republican candidate or any other Republican can be accused of disloyalty to the president. Ger tainly they will now vote for an all-out arms production effort, an all-out military effort and an all- out program for aid to our allies. Such questions are no longer de- batable. But a short time ago our defense policies and the diplo- matic policies designed to aid that defense were debatable. We have the right to inquire into the atti- tude of the Republicans in Con- gress in the recent past. We have a right to weigh the justice of their cliams upon you for increased support and for an endorsement of the party attitude,
 Remember that the chief claim for your support in this election is based on the idea that a Repub- lican, although lcyal, will be in dependent of the president. Let us see what this independence has meant ..
 No one wants the Republican party to go out of business. This is no claim that representation should be taken away from that party. This district voted over- whelmingly in support of Presi- dent Roosevelt in the bitterly con- tested elections ot l94U. One 10 the questions which the voters are now called upon to decide is whether the conduct Of the Re-