Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-10

Morning News, will greatly interest many of our readers in this town:
 THE YELLOW MILL DAM CHARTER.
 There seems to be somewhat of mis- understanding in regard to the charter which Mr. George F. Cook holds for the above named franchise. Some claim that the towns of StEatford and Bridgeport are obliged under the provisions of the charter to keep the dam and bridge in repair. This course has been pursued so long that it has become 8 custom. A gentleman who has seen copy of the charter informs us that there is no such provision in 1t, but on the contrary it specifies that the holder of the franchise shall be responsible for all damages which may arise from 1t, and that the privilege shall never be used in man. ner detrimental to. the town of Stratford. Now the question arises, is not Mir. Cooks action in placing an injunction on the filling of the approaches to the new bridge hln- drance to the town of Stratford-or detri- ment if that is better word. For years the people of West Stratford had endeavcred to build bridge which would be convenience to them, but were repeatedly defeated in their efforts--not because the bridge was net needed-that was admitted, but the tex penxe" was t'thorn in the flesh" of those who lived in an age when improvements were but little thought of, and like many others they were 10th to keep in the line of prog ress. ttIt will be of no benefit to me, I never go that way,'' was the argument. Last summer town meeting was called, and 1t was voted to build the bridge, and an appro- priation was made for it. The vote was almost unanimous. A few months ago work was begun on the bridge under the direction of the town authorities. While this was be- ing done Mir. Cook did not attempt to stop it, as he probably did not wish to force 8 fight with the town When the town had completed it's part of the work, the borough then was under obligations to build the ap- breaches and began to do 10. No sooner had the work begun than an injunction was served, and damages laid at $1,000. Fur ther operations were of course suSp6Rded, and nothing can be done until the matter is settled
 How the fight will end, time alone will tell. It is reported that MT. Cooks lawyer advises the borough to ''buy him out" but the advice will not be needed just yet. Some are in favor of calling another town meeting and voting an appropriation sufficient to build the approaches without filling them in with earth. This plan is objected to because l it is said that such course would be a. vir- tuaI back-down," and an admission that the town has no right to complete the work which it has begun, and also an admission that MT. Cooks rights have been infringed upon.
 A well known citizen of West StrAtford says: 'I am in favor of fighting this case out on it's merits and having the matter de- eided for all coming time. I. do not sse any reason why one man should be allowed to stand in the way and blockade a necessary | improvement. If we were damaging MT.
 Cooks property, there would be justice in
 his claim The filling of the approaches
 will not in1ure any of his privileges in the
 leaSt. think his sole object is to try and bulldoze the borough authorities into paying
 the bridge. Mr. Cook should also remem-
 ber that the bridge will open up thorough fare which ia the end may be of great bene- ! fit to his business. When this matter is set- tied, I am in favor of going still further, and ascertaining if there is not some way to pre- vent the further spreading of disease caused by the foul odors which arise at the upper end of the pond" MesouTTo. ] Aug. g.