Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-02-18
Considering CONSOLIDATION.

A General Discussion of the Whole SUBJ
Ject-NO Satisfactory Decision Reached.
Another meeting to consider the consolida-
tien of the town and city governments was
held in rooms 10 and IL City Hall on Sasur-
day evening. The meeting was called to
order by Mayor Lewis who briefly stated the
objects to be considered. His honor stated
that he thought that city and town consolida-
ton might be effected on some plan that
would be equitable and satisfactory to both
the Annex and Westville.
Henry c. Rowe. of the Annex committee
on consolida ton, stated that he was there
only as an individual, for the reason that he
was informed by the Westville committee
that they had received no notice of the meet
ing, and therefore should not attend. MIR.
Rove then read the Fifteenth ward resolu-
tions protesting against annexation unless
taxes were only increased proportlonatsly to
the benefits conferred, and asking that the
proposed change be not carried into effect
until approved by a popular vote of the
Annex people.
Mr., Baldwin asked Mr.. Rowe if he Endorsed
the plan proposed Friday evening-its main
features being that the Annex and WeStville
n6GQ not cOLuS 4nGO JIG City uEIO55 kAOy
wished, bat be governed borough or village
wise, retaining the care of their roads and
their DOOR, and that the present town govern
ing machinery be discarded with the excep-
ton of the selectmen and a town clerk.
Mr.. Rewe replied that he and the others
of the Annex committee could not give an
answer upon this proposition until they had
fully considered it. The Annex people had
been apprehensive that the city was disposed
to place unjust burdens upon them; they
were still nervous on the subject, and a
minority were SO fierce in their opposition
that they might be disposed to carry it to
unreasonable lengths. w. X. Townsend,
counsel for the Fifteenth ward DIRECTORS,
said the people Of the Annex would consider
the plan spoken of when it's features were
embodied in the form of bill.
City Clerk Pigett opposed annexation or
any further tinkering with the charter, or any
special legislation until all the citizens of the
State had uniform charter.
Colonel E. M. Graves said he had seen no
plan proposed which did away with the evils
of dual government. The town govern
ment should be abolished, but the mayor
should have power to appoint and remove
the heads of departments. As it was doubt
full whether anything could be done this year,
would it not be the best course to appoint q
subcommittee to investigate the whole town
and city system and present a well considered
plan of Improvements next year?
After battle of words between W. K.
Townsend and Mayor Lewis the Mayor said
that the vote passed Friday night by the
three committees showed exactly what was
wanted of the Legislature.
MIR. Townsend said the Annex people
would now knew what they had to meet.
Joel A. Sperry said that the New Haven
committee were not robbers. The resolu-
ton passed Friday meant what it said.
Selectman Beechsr said New Haven once
stole a strip from Westville.
dispute was ardently conducted on the
point of how much land was stolen.
Judge L. E. Munson favored wiping out
all town lines and having everything come
into the city government.
Mr.. Sloan made good speech, saying
there ought to be no friction. Here was the
place to settle upon terms.
Mayor Lewis declared that he did not like
the feeling of suspicion developed. This
committee were all honorable men.
Elias P. Norman, of Westville, said
''We want to be let alone, just as we are'
Mr.. Rove hoped that the feeling in West
vile would not be amalgamated with that of
the Annex.
T. Attwater Barnes asked if westvills
was willing to be set off to Woodbridge, as
all the people inside the New Haven city
limits wanted to dispense with the dual
government.
Mr.. Beecher didn't want to 60 to Wood
bridge.
Mr. Hughes said if New Haven would give
back the harbor they took, the Fifteenth
ward would go back.
After further discussion the meeting
adjourned.
After the adjournment the consolidation
committee held another secret meeting in the
Mayors Office.