Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-01
Taxpayers Association.

Taxpayers Association.
 Large Gathering in Room 22, Insurance
 Building - Organization Effected and
 Officers Elected.
 In accordance with the call published in the city papers large number of New Ha- ven's taxpayers met in room No. p, IDsur- ance building, last evening for the purpose of organizing a taxpayers association. The room was not large enough to accommodate those who wanted to be present, and many were obliged to stand on the stairs outside and look through the window. Nearly half those present were obliged to stand
 A o'clock Prof. Simeon E. Baldwin call ed the meeting to order and briefly stated the objects of the meeting. Judge John c. Hol- lister was chosen chairman and Nathan H. Sanford secretary,
 Mir. Eli Whitney said the object of the meeting was to form an association to pro mote economy in the town and city govern ment, and to bring back prosperity to the city. The association should be non-parti- san, for the interests of all citizens without regard to party.
 Professor Baldwin said that few gentle. men interested in circulating the cali for the meeting had met and drawn up skeleton of the general design of the association. The scheme, which he proceeded to read, was adopted and was as follows:
 The undersi0ned hereby constitute themselves an association by the lame of the taxpayers associa-
 It's object shall keep down taxes in the town, city and school districts by watching closely all pub lie appropriations and expenditures and promoting prudent and economical administration of municipal affairs.
 It's officers shall be president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and executive committee sf0fa and which committee seven shall be quorum. This committee may adopt from time to time suitable by the association and shall manage such business formally to the same But all such bylaws regu- lations shall be reported to the next meeting the association after their adoption aud shall become void if disapproved by the association.
 Said committee may assess the members of the as- sociaton for it's necessary amount not exceeding in any year quarter of cent the grand list of New Haven last before completed: said assessment to be made upon and paid by each at the rate agreed upon, in proportion his sessmeDt said grand list.
 All officers shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the association, which shall be held the third Monday of December annually.
 No ass, ssment shall be made until the aggregate taxable property of the members of the association who sign these similar articles, assessed the grand list last before completed, amounts to less
 Any person withdraw this association on giving written notice Of h.s desire to do to the treasurer
 Pending the adoption of the above Hon. James Gallagher spoke of the necessity of such an organization. An organization of manufacturers was necessary in this country twenty years ago to protect themselves against the United States officials and was ip existence now. The general public may be little jealous Of such an organization, but could they look in here to night such jealousy would be dispeIled. This organization is for our best interests It will benefit us city and town. Our taxes will be reduced Public officials must respect the voice of such akS Tw,1o kIa 4~,k from beginning to end and shall give it my hearty support.
 J. D. Dewell said the people were to 8 large extent responsible for extravagant taxes. Citizens sign papers too freely ask ing for new expenditures. Perhaps one ben | eft of the association may be to make men more careful in this respect.
 Mir. Gallagher said that in reply to a gen. tIeman who represented important interests | who asked what their association was going | to do when in town meetings, some needless l appropriation should be asked for, he would | say that to show what could be done an incl ] dent in which he took an active part might | be related. Three men saved the town from | an appropriation of $500, GOO which had | been voted in town meeting, by applying to | judge for injunction upon the action of | the town at said meeting. He was one of | the three men. One of the objects of the | association is to save.
 
 the association. He was followed by John | w. AlIing who said that $475, 900 passed | through the Selectmen's hands during the l past year. Anybody knows that they are l not body which takes such careful deliber- l ation as the Common Council. It is absurd | that the city should permit over one-half it's l annual disbursement to pass through the | hands of such body. great deal of the | leakage comes from lack of thorough man. | agement. The object of the association | should be broadened to include the forma- l tion of party to see that the association's | interests are properly, served. I hope | to live long enough to see the | time when this damnable nonsense that it l makes difference whether 8 man is a Demo- crat or Republican when the city's welfare | is at stake in any matter such as appropria- l tions, etc., will cease to be heard.
 George A. Butler and R. P. CoHles spoke | in favor of the movement.
 Professor Wheeler asked if an adjourn ment to some other time when 8 hall large l enough to accommodate those who took an interest in the matter would not be wise.
 After the constitution of the club had been adopted unanimously, and while the gentle men were signing it, J. B. Sargent of the to show by the figures that the town and city government was not extravagant. He did | not believe that dollar of the money had been expended wfckedly. Some money might have been spent foolishly. He | thought that the administration of public affairs had been economical.
 N. D. Sperry rose and remarked that if what MT. Sargent had said be true, the tax yers' association should disband. He said the popular feeling was that the taxes are too high and that the Town Agents expenses are too great. He thought the Selectmen got too big salaries. When he was a Selectman the salary was $15 year, now it Is 1,8O0 or B., GOO. Here Mir. Sargent said, ''They get | better men now" MT. Sperry said that he had admitted in the frst place that they probably paid him all his services were worth, MT. Sperry continued to remark upon the useless expenditures of the Town Agents office. He said the bill for stationery was many timesg reater than that for his office. J. R Gildea spoke briefly in support of MT. Sargent's position.
 The committee on nominations reported as follows: For president, Joel A. Sperry; vice president, Eli Whitney; secretary, J. M: B. Dwight; treasurer, E. F. Mersick. These officers were elected and the following gen. tlemen were appointed as the executive com mittee in addition to the four officers above mentioned: J. P. Adrisnce R. P. Cowles, ". W Farnam, E. P. Arvine, Isaac Ander- son, J. D. Rewell, Joseph L. Joyce. E. B. Morris, J. T. Sloan, E. 6. Stoddard, Mm: G. Sumner.
 Among those present at the meeting and not previously mentioned were: Thomas R. Trowbridge, jr, Henry c. Seabrook, Judge Sheldon, F. H. Hart, Nathan H. Sanford, J. T. Whittlesey, Enos s. Kimberly, Louis Feldman, A. W. Parmalee, Philo Chatfeld, Charles s. Leete B. s. Merwin, George s. Bradley, s. ". Berpum, James E. Blair. John Ruf, Henry Martin. In all some three bun dred were present, and the meeting was great success.