The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-07-08
Politics
In
Passing

The announcement that ex-Gov-
erncr Robert A. Hurley would aban-
don his efforts to secure the sena-
1orial nomination on the Democra-
tic ticket and concentrate on the
governorship came almost stimuli
taneously with a gathering Of the
Republican leaders at which the
public career Of Governor Raymond
3. Baldwin was decided. The former
Democratic governor yesterday con-
1irmed the rumors that he would
seek the gubernatorial nomination,
which might indicate that he had
failed 10 form an alliance with the
Maloney- Smith wing Of the party
and that he might be planning to
line up with ex-Mayor Thomas j..
Spellacy Of Hartford. Or he might
Just be going 1t alone this time. At
any rate when Democrats gather in
Hartford on August 4th and 5th
they will be able to pick a ticket
after their national candidates are
known, but before the Republicans
have designated their state ticket.
Selection Of the August AS
weekend for the recessed con-
ventiOn also came rs Friday an
nOunc Nment from Democratic
headquarters in Hartford. 1t Is
expected to be probably the most
exciting convention the party has
had In many year, even sur.
passing that Of four years ago
when Ex-Governor Hurley emery
ed the winner and took control Of
the party, J. Francis Smith OK
this city retiring as party chair
man Immediately thereafter. But
lt's TO Mr.. Smith that q great
many district leaders and party
members are looking today in 1914
for guidance as the naming Of the
state ticket draws near. Good
proof, indeed, that the local man
made friends during his years at
the head Of the party who still
trust his Judgment.
The Baldwin break" this week
more or less confirms the story The
Democrat carried exclusively some
weeks ago. Right now, however, II
looks as II Rep. Joseph Talbot OF
Naugatuck would have to fight for
the gubernatorial nomination. 1t
won't be his for the mere asking.
But Joe" has had to put up with
this treatment before from his fell
low Republicans, so he should know
by this time that what he gets from
the party comes not so much as
reward for his best efforts in its be-
half, but from his own individual
efforts in behalf of himself. How
ever, wide-open fight for the
gubernatorial nomination In COP
ranks would probably be a knock
down and drag -em-out affair this
summer. And with the Democrats
to name their candidate first, there
Is every indication that the sum-
Sner political news will be sufficiently
interesting to vie with the war head
lines.
Seme thought Is being given by
mumicipal authorities to that Sec
/ ton Of the charter which dis
cusses the appointment Of bud
get director. While the Board Of
s Finance paid T. E. Olsen the
courtesy Of merely tabling his
resignation when It was submitted
this week, members appeared to be
convinced after discussing the
same with Mr.. Olsen that his in
tentiOns to return to private prac-
tice in New Jersey were pretty
much fixed. While the charter
stipuIates that the appointee shall
be an accountant with experience
in municipal finance, there is a
thought that perhaps a reputable
{ firm Of accountants might &c en-
ployed to handle the direction Of
the budget, provided, of course,
no applicants for the job come
forward.
Discussion of Chester Bowles as
q Democratic potential in Connecti-
cut never set too we'll with the aver
age Democratic voter or district
leader. Mr.. Bowles, to begin with,
has little voting appeal, although his
record with the OPA certainly en-
titled him to the respect and con-
4ldence OF any voter But as q
vote-getter here In Connecticut he
is much of an unknown quantity
sas Wilbur l.. Cross was back in 1890.
whether he could develop as DR..
+ Cross did is hard to say. Mr.. Bowles
Is very much of an idealiSt. He
..can afford to give rein to political
PHILOSOPHERS that the average per-
son couldn't indulge in, because he
is q successful businessman who
has retired In the prime of life.
some people don't like the job he's
doing at Washington, but there are
plenty who will vouch for the han
dicaps he's overcoming to make an
alphabetical agency click. But by
the same token he's apt to want to
finish one job properly before tackl-
ing another. If the postwar doesn't
submerge him, keep his name in
. mind for 1915 and 48.
Casting Of absentee ballots by
persons In the service officially be-
gan yesterday Just four months
prior 70 the Nov, ! election, II
'fruilI be interesting to note II
presidential contest has more
eject on the men in the trenches
than those Of the past two years,
- 1880 the American soldier
4san't have TO worry about an
absentee ballot. Many don't think
he's worrying sbewt II In 1914,
eifher, There should be more abb
eeptee ballots east this year than
- 1898 or ~, but the number win
never hit the totals that those
wbe plead the cause of ballots in
stead Of bullets for the soldiers,
keep talking about.
Ex-Judge Max Spelke of Stamford
has 10 get new alternate to the
Democratic National Convention,
aznt AL DOnahllA can't male the