Morning journal and courier., 1889-03-06
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

Even Last Night They Could Not Fin 1sh All the Business-The Police Pension Bill-OPpOsed To Pensions and a Reserve Fund-Other Matters Special Meeting Next Tuesday Might
 To Discuss Consolidation.
 The aldermen held another long session last night and then didn't finish all the busi- ness on the table. The most important bus- mess was on instructing the corporation counsel whether to oppose or favor the pe- lice pension bill now before the legislature.
 Alderman Bushnell moved that the cor poration counsel be instructed to oppose the bill. He thought the police commissioners were trying to set up separate government of their own, and as we have three already that number is sufficient. He said he was in favor of pensioning policemen, but there were many objectionable things in the bill.
 Each paragraph was taken up and acted on separately. There was no objection to those relating to the enlargement of the force, but everything relating to the establishment of reserve fund he was instructed to oppose. The paragraph in regard to the pensioning of officers caused some discussion. As it read four police commissioners would have the power of granting pensions to officers.
 
 also have say.
 Alderman Whitmore vigorously objected to the commissioners having any such power. That power should be kept in the common council. Alderman Whitmore moved that the corporation counsel be in- structed to oppose the paragraph. Alder man Bushnell amended so that the pensions could not be granted only by consent of the common council. Alderman Lincoln op- posed both the motion and the amendment on the ground that the various departments would soon overflow the common council with petitions of this sort for their sanction. He thought petitions for pensions should come direct to the common council.
 On his motion it was voted to instruct the corporation counsel to oppose the whole paragraph.
 In it's place the corporation was instructed to favor an appropriation each year by the board of finance sufficient to pay all pensions granted.
 On motion of Alderman Whitmore the paragraph and it's chapters relating to the establishing of police reserve fund was op- posed and instruction in accordance there- with was given to the corporation counsel.
 Alderman Callahan moved that the corpo- ration counsel be instructed to suggest or propose an amendment whereby the mayor shall have the power to dissolve all ties in the police board. Alderman Bushnell objected, on the ground that it would make that board political organization if the mayor should have a voice in the appoint ment or discharge of men on the force. This set the ball to rolling. Aldermen Kent enough, being only fgurehead.
 Alderman Whitmore lucidly expressed his views, saying that he was one of that class who believed the mayor should not have one iota more power than he now possesses.
 Alderman Callahan's motion was lost. Then Ill Al -I--Ls that in all cases except the appointment or discharge of men the Mayor shall have the casting vote. Alderman Gilhuly arose to a point of order, and said that there is at present paragraph of the city charter which covered the same point.
 "Well, ," said Alderman Bushnell, "I have been misinformed. My friend from the Twelfth (meaning Alderman Kent) said the Mayor had no power, and that he was stupid"
 'FWhatl" exclaimed Alderman Kent, as there was general roar of laughter. ''The gentleman from the Twelfth" said Mayor Peck, ''said the mayor was a figure head"
 Mayor Peck and Aldermen Sheridan and Thompson were appointed committee to go to Hartford and express their views on the police bill.
 It was voted to instruct the corporation counsel to apply to the Superior court for New Haven county for the appointment of 8 committee of said court to examine the tide gates erected on the Milford turnpike over West river. The corporation counsel under stands that the town of Orange will not ac- cept the gates. The statutes provides that "when said gates so erected are approved by committee appointed by the Superior court for New Haven county, said city shall not be held responsible in account thereof" The committee on the Mayors message presented resolution praising Mayor Peck, and recommended that the various sugges- tions in his message be referred to commit tees All were passed excepting the one which referred that pertaining to the State House to special committee of two alder men and three councilmen, which was tabled
 The corporation counsel was instructed to favor House bill 1eS, which provides that all officers of the City court shall be resi- dents of New Haven.
 Charles Starr and eight other residents of Washington Street entered remonstrance against the petition asking for a sewer in that street, on the ground that it is not a public necessity and would incur an unnec- essary expense to the residents of said street.
 Alderman Lincoln presented 6 eommuni- cation signed by several prominent citizens, asking that an investigation be made of the bridge over West river on Derby avenue, and if found dilapidated and in an unsound cons dition, which they say it is, that 8 suitable bridge be constructed over said river.
 The last matter to be brought up was wether to instruct the corporation counsel to favor or oppose consolidation. Several motions were made and points of order raised and finally the clerk was instructed to read the bill. It took him 10 minutes, the bill being 50 long.
 Alderman Bushnell several times moved that the corporation counsel be instructed to favor consolidation, but ss good share of the members could not vote intelligently the whole matter was postponed until special meeting next Tuesday evening.
 Petitions referred: Electric light on James street; grading and curbing of Martin street; Park avenue between Winthrop avenue and Mott street; opening, grading and curbing of Nott street from Whalley to Derby avenue; Charles w. Willard for appointment as spe- cial constable; gas or naptha lamp on Cliff street.
 The Fifeh One CaptuFed.