Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-18
Police Commissioners.

The Voting Districts-The Corporation Counsel to Give am Opin1on-The New Police Precinct-Steps Taken to Buy & Lot-Roundsmen's Pay.
 The Police Commissioners held 8 special 1 meeting last evening for the supposed pur- pose of taking action upon that portion of l the Mayors message which had been referred 1 to them by the Court of Common Council l relating to dividing the wards into voting 1 districts. This measure was strongly advo- 1 cated by Mayor Robertson in his annual message, who at last nights meeting set forth his arguments in favor of the plan. An in- formal discussion followed in which all of the commissioners took part, and the question finally arose as to just what authority was given the Common Council by the charter. Said Commissioner Catlin II look at it that it is for the Common Council to divide the wards and for us to select the voting places"
 Mir. Bollman called attention to the word ing of the statute. and said that it was evil dent that conflict might ensue over the city and town elections, as in his opinion it was not within the province of the commissioners to select voting places for town election.
 The charter provides that the Police Con- missioners shall provide voting places for all elections (excepting school elections) held in the city and town, and the question arose whether the Common Council had the right to divide the wards into voting places for town elections.
 General Harmon said that he was doubtful about the matter, and he very much disliked to have the Board recommend anything that they were not familiar about, and he suggest ed that legal advice be obtained. On his mo- ton City Clerk Pigott was instructed to pro- cure from the corporation counsel his written opinion about the matter.
 Next followed discussion about the pro, posed new precinct Mir. Catlin said that the Grand street lot could be purchased for $3,- 500. The committee on behalf of the Board were authorized to offer the Essex Savings bank $3, 900 for the property, and the same committee was requested to present at the next meeting specification plans and figures for the new building.
 Mir. Hart inquired if the Board wished to comment on the plans already submitted. Mayor Robertson and MT. Bollman expressed their entire satisfaction of the plans already presented. Mr. Catlin kicked He did n ot think there was sufficient cellar under the building.
 General Harmon explained that the reason he made his motion was to draw out opin- ions. After Mir. Bollman had made inquiries about the number of cells necessary the sub- ject was dropped.
 General Harmon, on motion of Mir. Boll- man, was requested to procure of the State Comptroller for the use of the Board com plete set of the Connecticut Statutes, to- gether with copies of the "Private Acts" to date. As 8 committee of the whole the Po- lice Commissioners evidently have deter mined to ascertain if possible what the laws of the State are.
 The Board voted to accept the Grand Army invitation for the police force to do escort duty Memorial day. The Chief was in- structed to carry out the order.
 After slight breathing spell in routine business Commissioner Catlin inquired if the Chief had received an application from one- armed man named Butler to use upon the streets lifting machine.
 Chief Webster, who is suffering from 8 severe cold hoarsely replied that he had, but that he did not propose to make flesh of one applicant and fowl of another. He went on to explain that he had received innumerable applications from men in like business some wanted license for lifting machine, others for striking machine, and again from others for 8 blowing machine" and according to orders it would not do to allow these men to occupy street corners.
 All the commissioners having recovered from the shock business was proceeded with.
 Commissioner Hart called attention to the fact that at the next meeting it would de- volve upon the Board to appoint roundsmen. As fer himself he opposed the present plan of six months appointments, and he would like to see good men permanently appointed to the position.
 Commissioner S1oat coincideG in fhese views. He was satisfied from what he had seen that the present rule did not work well.
 Here ensued the following dialogue which as Colonel Sellers would say, "There's mil lions in it."
 Mir. Hart-sI would like to see good men appointed with little more salary"
 Mir. Bollman-"Then we won't get our new precinct"
 MT. Hart-ssThen let's cut off one of those cells you suggest"
 Mir. Kilbride-I think that the roundsmen ought to have large compensation for the work they are obliged to perform.
 After short Hull Mayor Robertson said he would offer as suggestion that the provision in the city charter for three sergeants be car ried out They could do the work of the roundsmen and would of course be entitled to more compensation, and one of them would necessarily be needed for the new pre- cinct
 No action on this suggestion was taken.
 On motion of General Harmon it was voted that the report of the committee on super numeraries be taken from the table and re- ferred back to the committee Therefore at the next meeting Messrs. Hart and Kilbride will present list of new names of applicants anxious to join the force. The commission CTS agreed that the force needed recruits. and the meeting adjourned.