Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-20
o1rv AND TOWN oPPosED.

COM0OlQ03HR0m
 she Suburbs-A EfvelY Hearing Be-
 fore she Chamber of Commerce Conn
 naIttee-StrOng Arguments of the OP-
 position BraveIy Met by Friends of
 the Measure.
 A public hearing of opponents to city and
 town consolidation was held before the Chamber of Commerce committee last even ing. A large representation from the rural districts were present and their crisp, rustic wit grated rather harshly upon the leading spirits of the committee at times. Ex Mayor Henry G. Lewis was at his post as usual and was great support to the friends of oonsoli- dation. His efforts towards the measure are truly of whole-souled, unbiased character and to him is due, in great degree, much of the work that has been done towards this important move of unity of city and town. Chairman Easterbrook of the chambers committee called upon one man after another of the opposition and each was allowed fifteen minutes on the floor. After this anyone was at liberty to question the speaker upon his remarks Ex-Mayor Henry G. Lewis, Att torneys Gallagher, White and Kleiner and Major Barnes did most of the ross-question- ing.
 Arthur N. Farnan of Westville was first called upon. He spoke at length upon the subject and thoroughly aired Westville's
 
 unity of city and town would bring no ben- eft at all to Westville, and continued:
 s'The doing away with the town agent will not decrease expenses to any extent. I can't see that the city tries to save any more by economic legislation. think the town con- ducts its affairs as cheaply. I think it is premature yet to consolidate. The time is coming when it would be good thing, un-. doubtedly. We have our schools, electric lights, police, and what are we going to gain by joining hands and becoming one with youi As far as the town poor are concerned we have very few in Westville or the Annex. Most of them are from the city, supported by the town. The city can't gain thing by such move. It will only be 8 satisfaction to some to have things under one govern ment and make us pay more taxes. You would have interest on town bonds to pay just the same as to-day. In time expect to see consolidation, but not yet" When asked why he thought consolidation would be advisable in future times, Mir. Ears nam said that in time business and trade would make the outlying districts rich and active enough to receive benefits from shar- ing the same government as the city and be able to pay for it. He said that the straight ening of West river into canal would also increase Westville's business and make 1t more profitable to join hands with the city. | Ex-Mayor Lewis asked what the town of Westville would be willing to pay for this strengthening. MT. Farnam was not pre- pared to answer.
 Chairman Easterbrook then called on w. H. Farnam of Westville. He said his broth- CT had covered most of his points. He said the town poor were mostly city paupers, that the use of the police and fire department ! would not benefit Westville at all, and the only gain, if any at all, would be to become citizens of New Haven.
 When questioned by ex-Mayor Lewis as to | the large number of extra hands employed at gardening during the summer Mr. Farnam stated that the great number were found in \ the city.
 MT. L. Wheeler Beecher was called upon ! to speak upon the subject. He said he had held property both in and out of the city and that he was willing to pay all reasonable tax es for the benefit of the city. 'I believe in progress" continued he. s:But it is admit ted by those in favor of consolidation that no deficiencies have been noticed in the town, city or school governments. Yet they think they can better things by massing all under one head" He pointed to New London as
 an example of consolidation. He said taxes could help it. He did not favor consolidat- ing everything under one man, for he thought nothing could be gained by thus uniting re- responsibilities. He said our community was governed well and he wanted improvements
 in parks, canals, streets, etc., but the great
 majority thought this thing was not right.
 If the city government is bad, as all those in
 favor of consolidation seem to think, it
 ought to be changed and purified before you
 ask us to leave good government TO join
 you.
 When questioned, M-. Beecher stated he did not know how taxes were laid in the city
 "Your ides," said Attorney Gallagher, lis for us to change our charter and try it on our citizens to see how it works before the people 0f WoRfvilla hr0uOhf into if O "Not in the least, ," retorted Mir. Beecher. "I want you to make your government as good as you can and leave us alone" MT. Hollis Grannis of East Haven was then called on. He said that there were few poor in his district, but there would be many if taxes were made much heavier. "The select men have treated us very well, he continued.
 "Tney've built us 6 good bridge and our roads are in fair condition, at least those that haven't been touched Qaughter). I am will ing to pay my share of tax but the Fifteenth ward isn't in any condition to receive city tax"
 In cross questioning Mir. Grannis said that
 town taxes in East Haven were twelve mills
 while they were eight in the city. MrLewis
 told him that what made East Haven's water front so important was survey made in 1872-3, for which New Haven city paid $10,-
 900 and the United States government the
 other half.
 Mfr. William Woodward of East Heven then
 spoke. He said that the place wasn't so
 populous as to sell lots for building, but now
 higher taxes would stop the growth.
 Mir. Alfred Hughes related the negotiations connected with the free bridge and said that if the question had been of annexing 6 DOT tion of East Haven to the city, instead of the town, not ten residents of East Haven would have voted for it. He didn't know of any one in the annex who favored consolida- ton.
 
 understood when the annex was admitted that 1t should be into town and not city. "We were told that we would never be forced to come into the city until large ma jority of our residents desired it." Mr. Townsend gave many figures relating to the annex, and stated that they were not in a condition to enjoy city privileges, didn't want any lights or sewers, and shouldn't be forced to spend time and money in going to Hartford every little while to appear before the Legislature.
 On ncross-examinaticn by Attorney White he said he had no objection of having citi- zens under three separate governments. He said he represented with others owners of ! large tracts which if he was forced to curb and clear of snow would eat up all profit in expenses. He said he was paying assess ments on property of war taxes, but paid
 them willingly, because he wanSed good l roads. "But we don't want sewers and lights, ]" said he, ''and don't want to pay for ! them" MT. Townsend was vigorously eros questioned by several gentlemen. It ap- peared that he personally knew of piece of E land lately sold for four times it's as- sessed value, and this land was directly opposite to land that MT. Woodward stated was assessed for almost double its value In answer to a question by Attorney Gallagher, MT. Townsend stated that the principal ob jection with him for consolidation was a dis- like to be under control of city. The evenings hearing was closed by sev- eral brisk eross-questions and arguments be- tween the two parties. Due notice of the next hearing, which will be for those in fa- vor of consolidation, will be published in the local papers. On next Wednesday night the regular meeting of the Chamber of Com merce will be held.
 High Water at Hartford.