Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-27
Again The Supplies.

The selectmen Not Satisfied With
 Their Action Last Week Vote to
 Reconsider The Supply Purchasf aR
 Matfer-Gueh Talk About The POSv-
 CTS Of The Town Agent.
 The Board of Selectmen met last evening, Selectman English presiding.
 The committee on the purchase of supplies reported that they had submitted proposals to butchers and bakers for supplies of meat and bread. Their bids will be opened Thurs day afternoon at four o'clock and the awards made.
 The Committee on Insane reported the presentation of the memorial asking for an appropriation to the Legislature and the circulation of petitions among citizens. Con- munioations were read from the asylums in Concord, New Hampshire, Brattleboro, Yer mont and Danvers, Massachusetts, stating that they could accommodate several acute cases. In the opinion of the committee it would be better to send such cases there than to build cottages for them as Dr. White sug- gested last week. The cost of keeping the patients at those institutions is no greater thsn at Middletown. The Selectmen voted to empower the town agent to send such vio- 0oooo SA-~A outside the State if there is no room for them at Middlet0Wn.
 City Engineer Hill and Mir. Crawford of the Board of Public Works appeared in regard to the Quinnipiao bridge at Red Rock. Mr. Crawford exhibited portion of one of the piles of the bridge which was completely per- forated by borers. All the piles of the bridge are badly eaten and one end of it has dropped down several Inches. If vessel should hap pen to run into it great damage would be done. Fifty-two fender piles are broken, and sixteen outside and fifteen inside sup porting piles need replacing. It was voted that the committee on roads and bridges con- fer with the representatives of the town about the matter, with power to act, and a recess of ten minutes was taken for that purpose The committee reported that pro posals had been received from D. o. Water house and Wm. B. filling for repairing the bridge. AS Mir. filings bids were lowest he was given the appointment. The work will be supervised by City Engineer Hill and will be begun at once.
 Selectman Treat said he had word to say in regard to an interview which he had seen in one of the public prints in which MT. Reynolds said he would dishonor any bills made by the committees of the Selectmsn. Mr. Treat said that he had been asked if there wasn't good deal of one-man power in the board and what the Selectmen amounted to anyhow.
 Mr. Reynolds said the quotation was mis quoted. What he had said was that he would dishonor any bills made against the town without his consent MT. Reynolds said he took exceptions to the committee taking charge of the entire purchases.
 MT. Treat said that he didn't want to inter- fere with anyone's rights, but wanted to do his duty.
 Mr. Reynolds said that the measure last week was pushed with undue determination.
 MT. Treat thought the town agent was the servant of the Board of Selectmen.
 A discussion followed on the duties of the town agent according to the statutes.
 MT. Beecher said Suppose for the last four years you had had set of scallawags here and this year you were the only one re- elected. The new board would not be bound to do as the old board had. would it?''
 'sMr. Treat: q claim a right to know where every dollar of the money goes, the name Ofevery man who has dealings with the board and of all parties being helped by the towns money. I hope to place before the board the names of several parties who are being helped who do not deserve it. We are increasing pauperism."
 MT. Reynolds: '1 hope to have Q thorough investigation of these matters" MT. Treat: "I want to do my whole duty. don't want to leave anything undone to save the towns money"
 Mir. Reynolds: "You can do that without humiliating any member of the board" Mr. English read from the statutes the section describing the duties of the Selectmen He said the Selectmen had power to pay all bills.
 Mr. Feldman: ''When the report came up at the last meeting saw Mir. Reynolds feel ing and hesitated to sign the report. Since our last meeting I have been aceosted mistake. They said that the movement was just what the people wanted. The cry of dishonesty has been going abroad. If that report were to be brought up tonight should sign it. say frankly that have not been satisfied with the way purchases have been made. know that many large pur- chases have been made that Mir. Reynolds knew nothing about. MT. Sanford has been the purchasing power. He once went con- trary to the expressed will of the Selectmen. We have given him too much power alto- gether.
 s'Mr. Ssnford is honest and capable but he should not be allowed to have so much auth ority. I think this can be settled in friendly spirit and the people satisfied and 8 better state of feeling brought about"
 MT. Reynolds: "Mr. Feldman's remarks show this, if they show anything, that the town agent never used his power of patron age for his own benefit. He has allowed MT. Sanford to use his judgment. I know about these important purchases.
 MT. English: T wish MT. Feldmsn had stiffened up at the last meeting"
 MT. Treat moved for 8 reconsideration of the whole question of purchasing supplies and of recommitting the subject to the same committee. It was passed and the com mittee was empowered to go on with the bids for supplies that have been sent out.
 After consuming great many cigars and a large amount of time and talk the board ad- journed. Bills were approved as follows Outside poor, $241 25; construction. $36; almshouse, $2O. 50; general account, $35. 50; roads and bridges, $989.99; new farm, $132.75.