Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-31
BIRMINGHAM NEWS.

opposition To the Proposed Division
 of the Town of DeEby-An Interest
 Ing and Absorbing Local Question
 In Derby, AnsOnIa and Birmingham
 The Water Company'g New Pro-
 ject-OGher Matters.
 BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 30.-To the proposed
 plan of dividing the town of Derby, an op~
 position is beginning to take to itself energy
 and shape, such as bodes defeat to the pro-
 ject. To an outsider visiting the three sec-
 tions, Derby, Birmingham and Ansonia, the
 idea of cutting in twain township which is
 in every way fitted to be cemented into a
 single city, the late conception of secession
 now being famed and fed by disappointed
 politicians in Ansonia, seems decidedly ab-
 surd. There is every reason why there
 should be no separation, DO division of ins
 terests. Each year different parts are
 building toward and approaching each other,
 and becoming more nearly united. There is a natural tendency to centralize, and in time, if no opposition would announce it. self, the conversion or transformation of the three 'wards" into single city would como to pass by the common course of growth. If the recent election had not dealt out some surprises, had the Ansonia Republicans real- lZ6O buc1E uOD0s duu uOI Bun0EGu Luo uO4cdb of an excellent gentleman to represent their constituency. little would be heard of upsetting the old order of things. There is spite in this effort and revenge seems surely sweet morsel. How 8 disinterested party can look with favor on this effort to set off part of a town because some disaf- fected citlzens presist in harboring politi- cal grievance seems past finding out. It is a shrewd device to get a divorce when there are no grounds against the defendant. The people in lower Derby and Birmingham have done no i'll to their sister borough. In fact, Ansonia has always enjoyed her quota of the fat offices, and quite frequently the bal ance of the positions of town power has been north of the old town bridge It is there has been long felt hunger in Ansonia to cut sticks and slide form the other or low CT end; it is fact beyond dispute that had the Republican ticket been the victor last November no movement, at least this year, toward separation would have crystallized. A very unwise nomination in caucus where Ansonia was duly represented resulted in 'dumping' the Republicans and because o1 the experience Ansonia proposes to punish Birmingham by leaving her to her own dis cords and regrets. There is, in fine, no phys ieal nor economic reason to split up the old
 town. If it is done it will be to cure polit- | ical sore.
 The other evening meeting was called tC | discuss his contemplated dismemberment ot the town and a large number of the leading I citizens of Derby and Birmingham, opposed 10 this "breach," took steps to take the bull by the horns at the proper tims. The cal was made without reference to party linef and the issue was met and weighed on its 1 merits, the political phases of the situation ! being ignored.
 The Birmingham Water company intends ! to get permit from the next legislature tc increase it's capital stock to $50, 900, mort gazing it's property to secure loan. The Derby Gas company contemplates some i'm \ provements-an extension of it's mains, the manufacture or disposal of products of the gas house and the selling of gas and electric \ ity for heating power and other purposes Bonds will be issued to aid these new ven- ! lures.
 I The annual ball of the Hotchkiss hose company was very satisfactory success. The town officials have agreed to pay six hundred dollars annual rent for the use oi I their quarters in the new Birmingham opere house.
 The question is under discussion whether ] bond is legal that plasters 8 community tc ] pay for music hall. The present bonds, ol those giveu to pay for the erection of the borough building, were written to cover the 1 expense of building a structure for borougE \ purposes. The present building is an opers house mainly, and it is believed that no towI has the right to tax its property holders fol ! the support of concert hall. This actior admits of another legal interpretation tha was not expected, and the settlement of thit ! vexed question may become interesting anc | lively.