The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1945-04-28
Politics
-M--
Passing

Waterbury win probably have =
bipartisan court after July I, II
rrneent plans Of local and legisla-
I've leaders don't run afoul Of the
complexities that surround all such
appointments. Waterburys four
Democratic legislators spell the DIFF
ference between q continuation Of
the present aIl-Republican court
and the proposed new set-up. Ac-
curding to the city budget there are
ten positions available In the City
Court. The division Of 'spoils" will
probably be on q 00-lO basis here in
waterbury, because where Demo-
cratic domination Of the legislative
seats from the district is solid, 1t is
understood that the split will be
on . S0-plus basis with Democrats
getting the advantage. This Is con-
strued IS meaning the local Demo-
Gratis viii probably insist on having
six places and giving four to the
Republicans. Four positions the
Democrats seem sure to demand are
. judgeship, prosecutor, clerk Of
the court. and probation ocer.
Fermer Judge John L. GafRney
weuld seem 70 be the logical
choice Of local Democrats TO 90
hack On the City Court bench, IL
the split gees through rs planned,
but there h tremendous influence
being brought to bear for q mum.
her Of ether prominent Democra-
tie lawyers. And when you come
right Down - II there are SEINE Of
them who can bring the best Of
arguments to bear for their APP
peintment. Amy way You look At it
the job Of designating the ap-
pofntees b one requiring tact,
courage. and = thick skin. It's no
pleasure TO be the one who gives
cut the Jobs when there are can
didates galore fer the JOB.
A. was more or less predicted in
the press Of the state during the
past few weeks Governor Raymond
=. Baldwin failed to send In the
names Of Motor Vehicle Commits
sioner John T. Mccarthy or Statute
Revision CorS Missioner John M.
Bailey this wes;. Republicans were
named to both these posts, with, Of
course, Senate confirmation needed
to insure their taking over the jobs
on July l. Democrats renamed this
week to commissionerships were:
Walter Walsh, Tax; Joseph OCon-
nell, Public Utilities; and Donald
O. Hammerberg, Milk. Not one Of
the three could be termed as active
in Democratic politics as Commits
sloners Mccarthy or Bailey. Maybe
that decided Governor Baldwin
against them or maybe it was nee
essAry to choose between certain
De@ocratic incumbents and the nod
went to those above. Although there
were proteStationS from Democratic
ranks about not agreeing to the dis
posal Of either Commissioner Nc
earthly or Commissioner Bailey,
Democrats ut the Capitol for some
weeks past have been indicating
their knowledge Of the commits
sioEer set-up that eliminated these
two from the picture.
Nothing quite faxed Hartford
city officials this past week like the
demolition Of the Music Shell in
Bushnell Park. Ordered by the
Park Department the Job was
started before anyone else knew
anything about IL, including
Mayor Mortensen. Judging by his
remarks In the press he does not
regard the wrecking Job as par
;ticulariy appropriate nor As con-
siderate Of his feelings in the
matter. HartfOrd's Park Board,
however, has complete control
over all structures in city parks
and no city Official has jurisdiction
III would seem, however, IL juris-
diction or authority Is denied,
there would still be recognition Of
.O6icisl position and interest in as
public . matter as destruction
Of what was regarded rs q dis
tinct asset.
: Hartford more or less was on the
defensive this past week. Its efforts
to expand Its water holdings along
the west branch Of the Pennington
river aren't meeting with any too
much success. Litchfield County
townspeople are battling against
what they consider encroachment
on their domains and it looks as II
the battle wasn't over yet. The Met
ropolitan District contends that this
proposed dam and reservoir in Cole
brook and Hartland are necessary
TO insure the future consumers OF
the area served Of an adequate sup
ply Of water. Spokesman at the
legislative hearing at the Capitol
said that by 1855 the Metropolitan
District would be serving 100000
people, almost double its clientele
today. and that this new reservoir
would have to be built to meet their
demands. One opposing legislator
said, "Connecticut Is a small state
with large cities and we must arrive
st some adjustment whereby cities
don't rob rural districts
Z Democratic leaders from various
parts Of the state. including .
large number Of the State Sena.
tors, were in Bridgeport yesterday
Afternoon and evening comforting
with u. 8. Senator Brien McMa-
hen and State Chairman Adrian
slGaheR en patronage matters and
what = to be the party position
tlsreughOut the remaining weeks
~ tie legislative session. It really
mAgikea Senator McMahon's as
eunsp9ion Of state leadership pow.
ers IN Connecticut. He has natur.