Morning journal and courier., 1889-03-06
wE1GHrv WORDS AND WISE.

"ElGHTY WORDS AND "LSks
 What Ex-GovernOrs. Ex-MaYors and
 Other Prominent Citizens Think of
 the Plan For COnsOHdatio n-Ex-
 Governors English, Harrison ana
 EngersolI. EX.MaYor Welsh, Hon. N.
 D. Sperry and Others Think the
 Move UnVVIse.
 The near approach of the legis lative hear-
 ing upon the question of consolidating new
 Haven city, town and school district and
 the general interest manifest among tsxpay-
 CTS and others who have the interests of the
 city and town at heart in the result of this
 hearing and the legislatures subsequent ac-
 tion has made it important to know just how some of the city's most prominent men look upon the agitated question.
 The views of prominent residents of Westville and the Annex, and of other influential men have heen thoroughly repre- scented in the discussions before the Cham
 Der of Commerce committee and at other times and places. The most interesting opinions that can be offered. therefore, are from opponents of consolidation who live in the city outside of the districts, which it is proposed to annex.
 To this end we give below the way in which three ex- governors and a few other prominent men who have held office, look
 upon the matter.
 Hon. N. D. Sperry looks at the question
 from an entirely general point of view. He
 says that the principal idea with him is to let we'll enough alone. He thinks those in favor of the movement are honest and honor able in intention, but 250 years of expert ence does not prove, according to his mind, that there are any crying evils in the present system of government to be remedied. There are many inequalities, he says, but it is so with all civil governments, even often injustice itself, and we cannot help it. I like the old town gov ernments, for they are of the people and ex- 1 isted before the State was formed. The na- tionaI constitution confirms to them perpetu- al existence. The State governments cannot take away this independence; it is not in their right to do so It is said that consoli- dation will save expense. do not believe it. You propose to bring under one control town, city and school governments. You must have in any case machinery that will govern each branch. I cannot see how ex- pense can be saved if all are united. Some body must administer each branch. Can the same amount of work under consolidation be done at less expense? No, it is impossible. On the contrary, believe under consolida- tion expense will increase, and in five years those public officials who to-day are giving their services free will be paid and with it
 
 I is full of like examples. I know of no better l way to judge the future than by the past. I | would commend to you to day system that is non-partisan, not the kind which would ! bring watchdog system into our local poli- 1 tics. Then, again, the suburbs have their rights. Take the case of East Haven: tell l you it is shame to force this suburban dis ! trict into union because she does not pay ! quite as much in taxes as we do. In connec. \ tion with the great good they do us in their ! own way now I tell you the proposed union | is picayune. A leap into consolidation is a ! leap into the dark.
 Ex-Governor English was in New York | last night, but a gentleman familiar with \ his views states that ex-Governor English | considers that we have been successful for I 250 years under 8 town government and that the best thing to do is to let well ! enough alone. The governor is most ems ! phatic in his opposition to consolidation. He ! does not believe that the expenses will be | made less, but, on the contrary, thinks that | they will be increased. He does not hesi- | tate to express his utter disapprobation of | the plan, and his name heads the list of ! those who petition the legislature with re- monstrance against consolidation.
 Ex- Governor Charles R. Ingersoll and Mir. Massena Clark are also strongly opposed to the joining of city, town and school dis trict.
 Hon, H. Nj. Welch when questioned upon ! the subject last night said that he was en- | phatically opposed to consolidating the gov ernments. He could see no way in which town, city or school district would be bene- fitted. In the matter of expense, he said 1 that it would surely cost about the sams to carry on the town government, whether it was under municipal jurisdiction or in charge of selectmen. The manner in which | the common council HOW handles business is a fair example of what would happen if other | and wider interests were under it's control. Ex-Governor Henry B. Harrison was seen, but did not have time to enter into an ex- haustive discussion of the question such as | there is ample room for. He, however, very decidedly stated that he was firm opposer of consolidation, and could not see any way I in which the city could be benefited by 8 | union of the three governments. In his speech at Woodstock, made short time ago. he expressed his opinions about town gov | ernmeut, which were very unmistakable. ! Another prominent citizen when inter viewed upon the subject gave many cogent salaries would be very small, he said, if it ! amounted to anything. The town poor would have to be taken care of, and the almshouse and the roads and bridges outside the city ! would have to be run just the same as be- fore A chief and paramount objection seems to be, he continued, that the city gov- ernment is too responsible it is now con- ducted. This fault is not confined especial l ly to New Haven, but is marked in all | municipal governments throughout the United States.
 Whenever a bad move is made the council ! men can thrust the blame upon the aldermen | or the Mayor or upon both. No responsi- | ble center seems to exist. Why | then still further centralize the powerl ! The selectmen serve as a check upon ! the other governing body, and are few in | number and usually responsible men. The | members of the council are more promis- | cuous.