Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-10
SHALL WE STILL nErwAIN.

SHALL WE STILL BK TwAINs opponents Take Fi- nal Fling-HOn. N. ID. SperrY's FOrci.
 b1e Remarks-NOG open to Question-
 The Strength Of the TOWn-Let Well
 Enough Alone-Hobart l.. HOtchktss
 Speaks For Westville The Move
 Should be Optional, Not Forced
 Final Arguments.
 But small gathering sat in the Chamber of Commerce rooms last evening when Chair man Eastesbrook Of the chambers committee opened the hearing for the opposition of city and town consolidation. The evenings time was consumed principally with arguments.by Hon. N. D. Sperry and MT. Hobart L. L.Hotch- kiss. Ex-Mayor Henry G.Lewis was as usual at his post and was seconded in his support of consolidation by Attorneys White, Klein CT, Gallagher and Mansfield.
 MT. Sperry was the first speaker. His ar guments were intended to touch upon the general side of the subject. He spoke with much force and undoubtedly presented strong front to his opponents. In the ab- sence of 8 specific bill defining what was de- sired, he said: We should let we'll enough alone; that is the principal point with me. If we do act, what are the crying evils that we should remedyl believe those in favor of the movement are honest and mean right in this matter. But 250 years of experience does not prove there are any crying evils to be remedied. There may be inequalities, but in what government are there not inequa1i ties2 Men are endowed differently; none are perfect. So it is with civil governments; we cannot help it. It is so everywhere, in everything, in all forms of government, even often in justice.
 I like the old town governments. The simplest governments are the grandest. Towns make the State and the State makes the nation. The town government is one of people, and existed before the States were formed. If that be so, my friends, be care- full how you go; be careful how you try to bring the town, city and schools together to the ruin of the grand town government. Would you destroy, would you blot out those old towns that have made us great State and 8 great nation for 8 hollow glitteri It's the towns that are indestructible. It is said that consolidation will save ex- pense. do not believe it. You propose to bring town, city and school under one head and call it Q city. You have got to have, my friends, whether you consolidate or not, machinery that will move the town govern ment, the school government and the oity. You say, when you perform these three by one government you save expense. l can't see how. You will have to have school form of government, and someone will have to administer it. Can the game amount of work be performed under consolidation at less expense2 It may, but doubt it. be- lieve, under consolidation, our expenses will be increased, and in less than five years af- ter, salaries will be paid to school, fire and public works boards. It is step in that di rection. Mark my words.
 All history of State and town governments show that the move is towards adding new officers and new salaries.
 Then again the suburbssha their rights. 1 ,I,ar Shn ,.afE called into the town there were solemn pledges that until this portion decided so by vote they should not be forced to come into the city. It's the smallest kind of talk, in my judgment, to drive these residents of the outlying districts to unite with us without leap in the dark, and I say, my friends, let well enough alone.
 Ex-Mayor Henry U. Lewis, Attorney Kleiner and MT. T. Atwater Barnes assailed MT. Sperry vigorously in the cross-question- ing, but the forcible orator arose and readily evaded every point at all vulnerable. His remarks were upon general basis, over looking figures entirely. and his cross-exam- iners found no footing to rest their attack upon.
 MT. Hobart L. Eotchkiss followed "It seems to me-" said he, "that when you peo- pie S0,000 strong arise and say that our little community of 800 have been taking your
  you admit the weakness of your government Most of our town officers are residents of your city. Who made your government cityi It wasn't us. You went to the legisla- ture yourself and petitioned for the change. Why should we be forced to do what you were allowed to do at optioni The general expenses of the town of New Haven are fixed charges. They are put into the town agents report every year and the people knowa bout what to expect. I have seen more capi- tai represented at the town meet ings than ever at the common council, and never have I seen bill passed at these meetings which was strongly op- any general demand in the town for this measure. don't doubt the good faith of it's promoters, but they are mistaken as to it's reform. You have damaged us $500, 1000 by slandering us. You have said that Westville was nothing but mslarial swamp. In this way people have been deterred from coming among us. I defy you, gentlemen, to find case in ten years when Westville has not paid at least half of the expenses for every im- provement.
 Attorney Charles H. Fowler then made few remarks. He said he was in favor of the abolishment of town government within city limits, but the outlying districts would never be forced into the city by any legisla- ture until majority of their residents fla vored it.
 Attorney Henry c. White spoke briefly. His synopsis read at the last hearing had been recklessly attacked by MT. Hobart L. Hotch- kiss in his address. Attorney White took up one item questioned after another and de- monstrated to MT. Hotchkiss the utter fallacy of his attacks.
 The hearing extended almost to Il o'clock. Chairman Easterbrook in closing stated that no further hearing would be held and that the committee would decide upon the ques- tion whether or no to draw up bill and an- nounce their decision before long.