Wednesday July 9,2008TroyRecord Article100yearsagoThursday July9, 1908 “Back in 1896, Troy was the only city in New York State to give a majority to Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. If Bryan wins his 3rd nomination this week, some Troy Democrats warn that the local ticket could suffer a historic defeat. After 30 years dominance of city politics, Democrats have been in disarray following a Republican victory in the 1905 mayoral election. The local Democratic Party is split into factions and are no longer home grown, meaning they now hate each other in the interest of leader Charey Murphy of Tammany Hall or leader Pat McCarren of Brooklyn. The result seems to be apathy in Troy in the absence of strong local leadership and increased hostility toward Jennings. Patrolman John P. O’Connell is docked twenty days pay at a disciplinary hearing for being drunk on duty last week. Two superior officers testify against him. He had passed out on a stoop near the junction of Third and Fourth Streets but roused himself enough to stagger into his First Precinct station at the end of his shift(noon-6). He explains he’s been plagued with an old complaint since his military service in the Philippines. Following the latest occurrence he tried to fortify himself with several drinks of brandy with predictable results. He is fined instead of fired because it is his first offence. " Photo of the day Troy Record Wednesday July 9, 2008 1943 photo of Frank “Bud” McGowan, US Army Air Corps in WW2 **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)