The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-31

fostered by Judge and Francis Summa.
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 In the case of Judge Conway, he has long been viewed as favorable to the Democratic leadership des- bite his declared Republican affllia- ton. In view of this it is a ques- ton whether Democrats wil seek to unseat him unless as Q matter of patient expediency it is decided by leaders that a withdrawal would be the wiser choice this yeal with the view toward other plans two years hence. Os as Jimmie Durante would say mo one is goin' to get hurted." Should the line of least resistance be chosen by the Iocal Democrats and the incumbent jurists are ale lowed to remain then 1t is likely that the posts of prosecutors and | clerkships i'll be sought, and un- !, doubtedly gained, all of which are now held by Republicans.
 These posts and their annual sal- aries consist of two prosecutors at $4,000 each, now held by Attorneys Albert Hummel and Frederick Pa- lomba; clerk of the court, $4,000 now held by Attorney Al Bronsky: Small Claims clerk $2,500 now held by Attorney Patrick DiCicco; the office of probation office, $2,5OO now held by Attorney Yale Matzkin and the post of Stenographer paying $1,- 300. GA bill now before the Legisla- ture raises the salary of the proba- tion officer to $3,500)
 Should the Democrats insist on a new face among the jurists it has been reported that Attorney Frank Healey is amenable to acceptance and that former city Judge John Ga1ney seeks re-appointment. No matter who sits on the bench it is generally conceded that there never will be another city judge like tho late Judge John F. McGrath who, by virtue of his generous qualities of humane understanding kindness, consideration and genuine sentiment all balanced by his grand sense of humor, seemed to have been born to the post. His presence is sadly missed by all associates of the court, police department and the news- papermen, not to mention the re- peaters whose Monday morning ap- pearances for minor infractions were almost inevitable and who were greeted by the late jurist with an understanding and tWinkling eye.
 Primary Contest
 The interest in a city election this year, so far has been sWamped by the war interest of the voting public factor which may or may not prove detrimental to incumbent office-holderS. The war is a poor time to conduct sectional elections not so much because of the apathy of the public as of their preoccupa- ton with wartime exigencies such as long tiresome hours of occupa- ton, anxiety over loved ones in the service and in some instances the emotional jacked-up sense of we'll being among the younger voters whose pockets are lined these days and to whom all is rosy and red.
 There is talk, at this time, of an impending primary contest among the Democrats followed in the Fall by the combined efforts of a fusion ticket made up of strong factional elements of both parties. Both could, in times of war, be means of demanding ardous all-out ef- forts by incumbents to retain their post.
 For example, primary contest seldom draws out the voters as proven by similar contest be- tween Mayor Monagan and Wil- liam Cavanaugh in 1943, when only 8,825 Democratic votes were cast out of total, then, of over 19,OOO registered Democrats. The low polling then spelled defeat for Cavanaugh who received only slightly over 2,00O.
 Urinary UnpredictabIe)
 However, primary this year made up of more closely drawn elements of the party fostered by defined efforts of leaders of vari- ous groups such as Italian, Polish, (etc0, voters could present dang CT to incumbent interests. Voters of these latter groups are more apt to be drawn out to the polls for various reasons than are other members of the party who have proved lack of interest in primary contests before.
 Presupposing the success of such an effort the entrance of fusion ticket this Fall in the city-wide election might mean an unpredic- table result, although likely the fusion interests would gain little. Their only strength would lie in the fact that they might split the voting wide open. The results might well be a split administration with various city offices scattered among divergent groups as defined fusion interests buck against undeclared but expediently combined interests Of the other sides of both parties.
 No Election Platforms
 Local Republican members de- plore what they term are the lack of suitable platforms on which to base an attack against the present Democratic administration. They
 
 point to the good economic times of the present, the lack of unrest among a fully employed and in- dependent voting public, and the cons ,rvative level of conduct of of- flee of inculnbents. All such fac- tors weigh against, the chances of forcing contest, they declare.
 In view of this certain leaders are demanding, 1t is said, imme- diate action toward lining up solid all available Republican voters so that cohesified, formidable phal- anxe of G. o. P. voters will be req dy this Fall These particular par- ty leaders declare such an organ- ization plus the possibility of light vote this fall and such factors as the absence of many Demo-