Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-15
Sannal alib Courier.
Tuesday Morning, March 15. 1881.
Local News.
For other Local News see Second Pags.1
The Annexation Question.

The Annexation Question.
 What Prominent Gentlemen Think
 About It-The Advantages to be Gained
 to New Haven-East Haven's Debt and
 Future Taxes.
 To-day the question of annexing portion of East Haven to the town of New Haven will come up for hearing before the Con- nittee on Cities and Boroughs at the State Capitol in Hartford The question has been considered to some extent between the Se- lectmen of the two towns, and has been more or less discussed through the columns of the public press. A representative of the COURIER called upon some prominent gentle men in the city yesterday to ascertain their views on the subject The first gentleman visited was ex-Governor English. In reply to questions from the reporter, the ex-Gov- ernor said that he felt little delicacy in glv- ing an opinion on the matter. If it was for the best interests of the town of New Haven then he would be in favor of it; but in any event he was in favor of submitting the ques- tion to vote of the people of both towns for ratification in case the Legislature saw fit to consummate the proposed annexation.
 Judge Lynde Harrison was next inter viewed. He said that he thought the people of Fair Haven borough would be benefited by coming under the government of the City of New Haven. While it would make their taxes larger, yet a majority of those represent ing the grand list and majority of the voters desire to come to the city. Unless the legisla- tive Committee on Cities and Boroughs find some good reason why they should not, then he thought they ought to be permitted to sever their connection from East Haven. l think the question of annexing any part of the East Haven territory should be submitted to the voters of both towns. I don't think the Legislature has any power to impose 8 debt of East Haven on New Haven unless the latter expresses a willingness by vote to assume the same. Even if it had the power I don't think it ought to do so. In regard to the east shore water front running down to South End, think it is worth what it would cost Suppose New Haven should assume g debt of $160, ,00O; looking to the future il may be wise for New Haven to make that in vestment, because within fifty years that front will be very valuable. If New Haver has any great commercial interests in the flu the wharves ought to be inside the breakwater now being con structed, and the commercial bus mess ought to be carried on on the eas shore, with connection by the Consolidated railroad. I am of the opinion that the break water will greatly improve the east shore The assumption of $16O, 1000 indebtedness 11k %t1o1 an additional three mill tax to pay it, and i is question whether the taxpayers of Nev Haven desire to make that investment for tn
 benefit of future generations. As for the re maining territory of East Haven, it would b good investment for them to let that stril go and rid themselves of the debt.
 J. B. Sargent was found at his extensiv | manufactory and in reply to question re | garding his views of annexation said: As | general rule am in favor of annexation ant consolidation of all people in close contiguit
 whose business interests are suberdinatel | the same, and whose business centres are il the same localities, and through tn same channels, as tending to mak l those people more homogeneous and as l more concentrates their efforts for useful en | terprises. As to the interests of New Havel | specially, they are general in their character | The special advantages of annexation to Ney | Haven are first, that what territory immedi ately outlies the city and town benefits it l that is if New Haven concludes to increase he | borders. More especially is this so in tn | eastern portion of the city, where unoccu | pied lands are very desirable, on which ca l be erected comfortable and low price
 dwellings for mechanics and laboring men l There is 8 large amount of land adjoining tn | Quinnipiac river and East Haven shore tha l is very eligible fer manufacturing siteE which establishments, if located there, woul
 be of very great advantage to city or tow
 property. Another important consideration
 that the eastern bank of the river and harbo may belong to this municipality and be unde
 the control of it's officials in every respect | All matters relating to navigation and bridge
 would then be under one jurisdiction. the matter of indebtedness I would say
 New Haven owes quite 8 large debt, whic | would be spread over all the territory al
 nexed and its inhabitants, binding all ths
 property now and its future growth to il
 share of the personal indebtedness of Ne
 Haven. On the other hand, East Have l owes a considerable debt, considering il
 grand list, which will be spread over Ne
 Haven. But as the wealth of New Haven so much greater than that of East Haven
 will be a spread that will be quite thin ant
 considering the advantages to New Haven
 annexation, considering that New Have despoils East Haven of most of it's grand lii
 and most desirable sites for either manufa
 tories or residences, the advantages to bot
 sides, in my opinion, are about even a
 also of the opinion that it will not increa:
 the tax of New Haven one mill.
 1 Town Agent Reynolds was called upol
 but he said that he had been interviewed
 much of late on various matters that he di
 not care to give his opinion. On gener principles, however, he favored annexation | Roa rsY 0f smoci faf1 CE, q rI<Sas