Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-13
TOWN AND orTx ooNsOLEDAT1ON.


 The Public Hearing on the question
 Gommencod-What Those in Favor
 ot the PropOsItiOm SaId-N. D. Sperry
 Suddenly Leaveg-The Hearing to be
 eOnIinued Next Wednesday Night
 There was public meeting at the room of the Chamber of Commerce last night as to the feasibily of considating the town and city governments. In May last the committee on municipal affairs made report advocating the consolidation, and the matter was re- ferred to special committee to have hear ing on the question. Only those in favor of it were heard last night.
 During the evening there was lively tilt between some of the members, which was quite relishable, inasmuch as it created con siderable amusement. N. D. Sperry started the ball rolling, and as the chair refused to entertain his proposition he eummarily left.
 John O. Gallagher read the committees report, after which Joel A. Sperry was called upon to open the discussion. He spoke briefly, saying he had been identified with such g move two years ago when 1t fell through. He thought some device could be made whereby those living in the outlying districts should be taxed for only what they had. He called the town meetings a farce, and the town government cumbersome. The present system he designated as rnwise and unbusinesslike.
 Henry 0. White said: In the way. that has been proposed, it seems simple thing to devise government that will do no in- justice to any of our citizens. One of the plans is not to extend the city over all the towns, but to let the Annex and Westville have their own government. It would seem reasonable that they have some local govern MI T. xLs L -s1 -T11 The other plan is to extend the city govern ment over the whole town. This has been done in other cities with benefcent results. The best way, I think, is to devise a plan that will benefit 6 majority, and to obtain their opinion have special election. Again, the present system is unbusinesslike."
 MT. White spoke of how few citizens voted away money at a large town meeting. He said that in no factory are there three foremen without head, and yet New Have has three governments work ing independently. He said a saving of $25, ,000 could be made in the out door poor relief, which fund is condemned everywhere. s'Are we 50 different from oth- er Americans" he said, "that we must have an antiquated government, different than they have3 Another question, is the present system justified by the results? No. The fact that this town has accumulated 8 float ing debt of $240,000 is enough to show there is something the matter"
 MT. White cited three or four instances where the town and city were at a deadlock with each other because there was no head. He compared the careful way that the city appropriations are made for tke year with the way that the towns are made and how the latter borroWs it's money.
 J. Rice Winchell had not considered the question seriously enough to make a posi- tive statement.
 Ex-Mayor Lewis said: "There is but one object to attain-the best government at the least expense. We should look to the equity of all. I should object to any form of gov ernment that would work a hardship on either the town or city people. We have a hydra-headed government. Each department is ambitious and is blind to the other. That is human nature. The town lays its taxes without reference to anybody else. The school does the same. It is blind to everything else. Then the city comes forward. It has laid it's taxes, but has yielded many times to the other departments. Now with this gov ernment each runs it's machine.
 Take our friends on the border, they have the benefit of the city improvements, yet they are not taxed for them, but they should be taxed for what they have. We have 160 miles of streets that the city of New Haven pays every dollar of Improvements for. Then, perhaps, Westville wants to raise $50, 900 of which New Haven city has to
 
 thing for the city. No. I believe 1t to be for the interest of Westville to belong to the city of New Haven. Since Fair Haven WAS added to our city it has grown five fold. The Fair Haven people are satisfied. On the roads and bridges Westville is equally interested with us. believe in one government, and if their is any trouble you know where to throw the blame. Each department now tries to throw the blame on the other. The school department wants to raise $500 and now 1t desired to make bonded debt to put on the children that are coming after us and which they must pay. They are going with railroad, yes, electric power. I tell you it is time to stop. Your taxation will go above 20 mills, and then see how many people will come here to reside"
 John T. Sloan spoke in favor of consolida- tion, and of the saving that could be made. The town is now nearly $500, 1000 behind cur- rent income. The floating debt should be decreased, but it is increasing.
 At this point as all in favor had been heard, the chair thought that some could be heard in opposition.
 N. D. Sperry objected vigorously. He wanted those in favor to put in all their ar- guments and then stop. To this plan ex- Mayor Lewis said that the plaintiff, after making an argument, always had an oppor- tunity to answer the defense. Then Joel Sperry gave his cousin dig, and said in fA6SAOuS ecAA4Ao tAoS AO AtA AOS A9boAO tO Oc choked down in this matter. fI have no axe to grind; want no public ofice-but do want what is best for the people" he con- cluded.
 The committee decided by vote to hear the opposition.
 eve would like to hear from you now, MT. Sperry," said Chairman Easterbrook.
 CT am going home hope no one here of the opposition will speak tonight" was the answer.
 And N. D. went out, followed by Prof. Charles H. Townshend.
 R. P. Cowles was then heard in favor, and the meeting was adjourned until next We'd nesdaY evening at FRO o,nlock