The union times. (New Haven, Conn.) 1941-1948, 1943-11-20
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
In CONNECTICUT


Preparations for the 1914 cleo
tiOns are already beginning. In some
states, these preparations consist of
conferences by professional politi-
clans whose chief aim is to take
care of themselves. They do not care
who wins, or what platform may be
adopted by their party-their chief
interest is to see to it that they are
taken care of.
In other states, in addition to the
professionals, there are people who
are greatly concerned with the 1914
elections. They see the possibility of
a tide of reaction sweeping the
country. They fear that we may win
the war and at the same time lose
everything we have been fighting
and dying for. They fear that the
social and labor legislation which,
after many years of bitter struggle,
has become the law of the land. may
be repealed or emasculated.
Regardless of these fears, how
ever, we glory in the fact that we
are democracy, and that unlike a
large part of the world, we in this
country are able to go to the polls
and vote for the candidate of our
choice.
Real democracy means having eff
icient, functioning political parties.
This brings us to the Democratic
Party of Connecticut. First we might
ask: Is there a Connecticut Demo-
cratic Party today? We believe SO,
but are not sure. We know that in
such cities as Hartford, New Haven,
Waterbury, and several other cities
and towns, there are strong func-
tioning Democratic machines. But
we are unable to see signs of state
wide party, party which reports its
activities to the people of the state;
a party which has concrete policies
for which it is working and fight
ing; and most important Of all, a
party which is planning for 1914.
We are not attempting to place
the responsibility for this situation,
but few facts are obvious. Of any
segment of the population, labor
has the biggest stake in next years
election. There are United Labor
Committees for political action in
New Haven and Hartford; and we
have no doubt that similar Organiza-
tons will be formed in other lead
ing cities in time to take an active
part i'm the 1914 elections. The Re-
publican Party, being in power in
heading the state government, has
a relatively simple task in organic
ing its state machinery. By far and
large, labor favors the Democratic
Party. But again we ask: where is
the Democratic Party of Connect
cut. We know there is state com
mittee; a state chairman; and an
office. We know that there will be
state and national nominees on the
Democratic ballot next November.
But that does not make a state
party. A real state party would be
watching our state government in
Hartford, and telling the people of
Connecticut where it agrees and
where it disagrees with what is going
on in the state capitol. 1t would re-
act to national issues. In other
words, it would take the potential
strength it has in all of Connect
cuts industrial cities and towns
weld it into functioning organiza'
ton, and go into the 1914 cam
paign with real prospects for vic
tory.
We sincerely believe that those
people who believe that the Demo.
cratic Party i'm Connecticut can ride
to victory on President Roosevelt's
coat tails are mistaken. First of all.
the Republican Party may succeed
in its plans to separate the national
and state nominees on the ballot. In
this they may succeed unless wave
of public protest sweeps the state.
Second, if President Roosevelt does
run again, the most bitter campaign
in our history will be made against
him. We believe the President would
win in Connecticut, and we believe