Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1956-04-19
By Susie Kaplan
10. 4-7S68

county, Sldle OF HdlfOIldl govern
ments, once again reflected thi:
interest by turning out in large
numbers last Wednesday night
at the Connecticut Avenue Cit
zens Association regular monthly
meeting to hear candidates from
both major political parties.
Primary day is May z. Or
that day voters of both parties
will go to the polls and elect d
senator, congressman, tive
judges to the sixth Judicial Cir
cult Court and seven delegates
to the state convention.
Because Roy Torcaso, presi
dent of the Connecticut Avenue
Citizens Association, believes
that an informed membership
will be the most effective in any
given situation, he invited candi.
dates who will be on the ballot
May Z.
There is no contest this year
among the Republicans. Dewitt
Hyde, the incumbent Republican
congressman, spoke.
Five delegates to the Repub.
lican state convention present
We're James E. Bacon, Jr., Viii
liam c. Birely, Helen H. Burkart
Mary Ericsson Caldwell and Rob
ert A. Wallace.
John R. Foley was the only
Democratic candidate for con.
gress who spoke. There are two
running, Grahame Walker and
Robert Cremins, who were in.
vited but did not come.
But the Democrats, who repre-
sent such diversified opinions not
only in the county but in the
country as whole, believe that
primary differences are healthy,
1t is at that time that the voters
decide on whom they wish to
represent them in party affairs.
There are two states running as
delegates to the state convention
for the Democratic Party.
Why two groups opposing each
other for this party office at this
time? The state convention, held
every two years, is the highest
authority in Maryland for each
Of the two major political
parties.
The most important business
at the forthcoming state conven.
lions will be % to choose the
party's candidate for United
States senator; 81 elect dele.
gates to the party's national con.
vention; % elect the state
chairmen for the state central
committees and make the party
policy.
Speaking for the group who
call themselves the Democrats
for State Convention" were Felix
Putterman, a Wheatonite, and
Margaret Peggy" Schweinhaut,
a member of the house of dele
gates.
The other group, who are the
'Lee-C addington slate" were
represented by John P. Moore,
James P. WEIGH, William F.
Hickey and Ruth E. Hayes.
Felix Putterman, the spokes-
man for The Democrats for
State Convention" that evening,
said that his group was formed
because the majority of the
Democrats in the county want to
win elections. There has not
been a national Democratic vic
tory in this county since 1910.
Also The Democrats for State
Convention" speak for a great
group of Democrats in the coun-
ty, new and old, he said, who
believe there should be direct rep
resentation to the people from
the elected group.
John Moore, who spoke for the
other slate, disagreed vehement.
~ and defended the local
organization.
No matter what your choice
those of you who are Democrats
should do your best to see and
hear all sides. 1t really is quite
interesting, particularly when
there are local people involved
Felix Putterman can get quite
excited and still be convincing
at the same time. This is quite
an art.
There will be many more
meetings for local Wheaton-Glen
monites where the two opposing
groups can be heard.
Mr.. Torcaso said that his asso
citation was gratified by the
turnout and a similar meeting
will be held before the genera
election. l hope more local or
CARNATIONS will take the leaC
from Torcaso and see if they
can't get candidates to come tC
meetings and discuss the issues
of the day.
The Pleasantview Swimming
Pool Association, Inc, will hole
its next membership meeting OF
April 80 at 8 pm. at the Pleas
antview Elementary School. TIT
nrnnosed by laws and nthe,