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Show Two Parties File Tickets In City Election ''Battle' Certain Over 'Partisan Polities' Issue For the first time in more than 30 years a national na-tional political party has entered a slate of candidates candi-dates for a Milford municipal muni-cipal election. "About 1923" was the last year in which "party politics" played a part in Milford city elections, according to old-timers. Since that date local candi-didates candi-didates have sought office on "Independent," "In-dependent," "Progressive," or "Citizens Party" tickets, battling for office on strictly local issues. Thursday two tickets had been filed for the three Milford city council posts to be filled Nov. 3. The Democrats nominated M. S. (Bud) Bown, incumbent councilman council-man who was originally appointed to fill an unexpired term and elected elect-ed to a full term on an Independent Indepen-dent Party ticket in 1955; Gale Banks, Milford railroader, and D. A. (Alt) Smith, also a railroader.-' The Independent Party listed as its candidates John H. Davis, incumbent; in-cumbent; Roland Culver, Milford businessman, and W. P. Morford, raijroad employe. A major battle is shaping up over the question of party politics poli-tics in municipal elections. The Milford Republican precinct, leaders met last Saturday and postponed post-poned a decision as to whether to enter a slate of candidates, but the general feeling was that since Milford Mil-ford "had elected city officials for more than; 35 years on a non-party basis, Republicans should continue to support outstanding candidates for city office regardless of party affiliation or religion." Final date for filing is Monday, Mon-day, October 19. Registratian days are Tues., Oct. 13, and Tues., Oct. 27. Qualified voters who cast ballots bal-lots in the 1958 general election do (Continued ou Back Paeei have a so-called party trying to the voters of Milford. The Demo-force Demo-force a ticket of candidates picked crat candidates were chosen at a by one man down the throats of public convention." in Milford, certain present and former political leaders who have dominated Milford politics for years want to keep the Democrat name off the ballot. "In the present campaign we Here's More About Election Contiued from Page One not need to re-register. The Independent Party leaders issued the following statement: "We, the Independent Party, believe in electing a man on his own merits, not just because he belongs to a party. We do not believe be-lieve in a 'split' city council. Nor do we believe in dividing our city along party lines. We do not believe be-lieve in electing to office a man who in any way would be obligated obligat-ed to a party, a party leader, or any individual. "After six years of operating our city government, the Independent Party knows from experience that in a small community a city council coun-cil must function as a unit, with cooperation of all city councilmen and civic leaders representing all parties and all creeds, if a community com-munity is to progress. "The progress of a community cannot be hindered by partisan - party politics, or by different factions fac-tions jockeying for credit for achievement." W. S. Bolton, Milford Democratic Demo-cratic chairman, said: "Politics, like other organized movements, must start at the grass roots. When we speak of a political po-litical party we are speaking of ourselves and our neighbors how we think and feel about basic American principles and policies. Our beliefs do not change because we are considering matters of state or national magnitude instead of local municipal problems. Independent, In-dependent, Citizens, Progressive, or Democrat these are party names but they still represent groups of Milford citizens believing believ-ing in certain principles, certain policies, considering minor and major needs of our community. You cannot denounce party politics poli-tics in one breath then attempt to set up your own party with the next breath. Because the Democrat Demo-crat Party has the great strength |