Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-31
oITY AND TOWN.


 sharp rapiers of their city brethren's wit. At the outset forlorn hope was vigorously purshed forward by the ''outlying districts in MT. Hobart L. Hothkiss' resolution to de- fer all action upon consolidation because of the disagreement of the chambers committee. Previous to this the majority report, ,favoring consolidation, and the minority report, ops posing the same, had been read.
 I The resolution was lost and whispers of "packed meeting" and the like were heard. The greater number present favored deferrlDg ac tion upon the reports till they had been printed, although town champions were there ! in full force to vanquish the majority report. After lively clash of argument it was de- cided to take action on the reports at a spe- cial meeting next Thursday evening. The following new members were voted into the chamber: Roswell B. Farren, E. R. Jeffcott, John s. Bradley, George H. Scran- ton, jr., O. A. Lindsley, s. B. Oviatt, W. H. Farnam.
 THE MAJORITY REPORT. The majority report to the chamber recites the various steps taken by the chamber re- garding consolidation, and their conclusion ''that the present irresponsible methods of the town and city governments should be abolished, and that the town of New Haven should be governed in accordance with the provisions of one city charter. The State
  determine the qualifications sf electors, and therefore the town must continue to elect these officers; but there is no reason for con- ferring upon them any other power or du. ties."
 The report then speaks of the 1115 mills city tax and the well understood method and process of laying this tax. The report pro- ceeds as follows:
 The present town government has for it's principal duties ths care of the town poor and the maintenance of the roads and bridges of the 18th, 14th and 18th wards. A large DOT tion of the labor employed on the roads is that of paupers and semi-Paupers, persons who are thus employed in order that by giv- ing them @ few days work each month the town will be relieved from taking care of them in the almshouss. The price paid for this kind of labor is $1.50 per day; it's esti- mated worth is not far from fifty cents a day. So that the large amount annually ought really to be charged to the "outside poor account" Ths town tax rate last year was 51a mills, of this 4 mills was levied to pay State tax, and one mill to pay the amounts annually transferred to the school districts, leaving sbe town tax rate 3I mills. The amount raised by the laying of this tax is increased to about $100, 900 received from the county commissioners. The total grand list of the town is about $5O, ,O00, ,000, of the 18th ward (Westville) $S22, 430; of the 14th and 18th wards (the Annex), $1, ,6s4, ,311. It will thus be seen that the city taxpayers are obliged to maintain the city streets and bridges and to pay nine-twentieths of the amount expended on the roads and bridges of the outlying wards. In it's financial ad- ministration the town has not been entirely successful. This is shown by the accumula- ton of floating debt of $241 ,0O0 for current expenses, by the increase of the gross debt of the town, by the increase of interest charges s,, ko fv, 1888, by it's failure to provide a sinking fund or other means of retiring the greater part of it's debt. These things have happened to 8 government having comparatively few and simple duties, and having few permanent improvements to make, at a time when in- terest rates were rapidly falling and when the municipal debts and rates of taxation were decreasing in most of our leading cities. A comparison of the debts and rates of taxation in the town and city of New Ha- ven:
 For fifteen years ending in 1884 the average rate of axato9 s in the town was s 4s ms ss inc rate of taxation in the town was 5.7 mills. an in
 For seventeen n years ending with 1887 the average rate of taxation in the city was A 1o9 3is s mills, an increase of about per cent. =. In 1880 the gross debt of ths town S9o3 295 06
 An Anime increase @ of s9a, ,s66.os O - In 1880 the annual interest charge was. A 0S6 94
 
 An increase of $9, ,652. IS. o, The total bonded debt of the town is... 754 400 % The total floating debt of the town is.. 2 564 09 The total debt or the town being.....- 995 954 09 In 1880 thegross debt of the city $50 00e % In l88O the.annual interest charge was I 0008 08 8 5S At present the gross city debt is. ..... 9750o0 % At present the annual interest charge is: 545Soss A decrease in the interest charge Of
 In 1Sso the net debt of the city was "A 55 ss At present the net debt of the city is. 55Oo0Oo0
 decrease of $194, ,745.S8.
 It will thus be seen that while the town has considerably increased his debt, it's in terest charges and it's rate of taxation the city has reduced both it's net debt and it's in- terest charges. The reduction of the city's debt and interest charges is due in part to the sale of the city's interest in the Derby railroad. It must be remembered, however, that the city has had nearly all the perma- nent improvements to make which furnish the only excuse for municipal debt It has alse accumulated large sinking fund to meet its debt at maturity, while to to refund s5o0,oOo in bonds, no provision for their payment having been made. To remedy this evil, your committee herewith present plan for the consolida- ton of the town, city and school govern ments. The main features of the proposed plan concern the care of the roads and bridges of the outlying wards and the man. sgement of the town poor. It is proposed to give the board of public works jurisdiction over all the roads, streets and bridgs of the town, and to establish board of charities and corrections for the purpose of caring for the dependent and defective classes. This will separate the administration of the road department from that of the overseers of the poor and enable all taxpayers to sscer- tain exactly what each branch of the gov ernment costs. The transfer of the duties of the registrar of vital statics to the board of public health will abolish an office and save
 IL ze l1IIo
 In suggesting that the rate of taxation in the outlying wards be limited to five mills (not including school tsxes), and by the further suggestion that these wards shall re- ceiye no city improvements or protection, your committee have sought to remove the chief objections 50 consolidation of the town and city governments. The aim of your committee has been to simplify our munich pal govrnment without overburdening the taxpayers of Westville or the Annex. By this plan the inhabitants of the outlying districts are enabled to secure for themselves city pro- tection and improvement by paying for them at the same rate as the residents of the city wards.
 The committee believe that there can be DO doubt but that there will be a considera- ble amount of money saved by the change proposed. The duplication of plant and services would be avoided. The town now hires surveyors and has it's own machinery and teams TOT WOrR1uS tn6 EOAos, all or which could be furnished with little or no increase of expense by the city department of public works. The town paid $2,300 last year for legal services, which might have been rendered by the corporation counsel had the town and city been consolidated. The collisions between the two governments, which too frequently occur, would also be avoided.
 And, lastly, the plan proposes to abolish the town and school meetings. The out grown and dangerous methods of laying taxes and transacting financial business by mis- cellaneous gathering of the people is thereby avoided The estimates and appropriations which at present are too often neglected will receive proper attention, and the large ex- penditures of the town will be surrounded by the same safeguards as those of the city and managed with the same care that is ex- ercised by our city government.
 All of which is respectfully submitted.
 N. EAsTERBRoeK, JR,
 FRANK Fl. SHERRY,
 T. ATTwATER BARNES,
 JOHN O. GALLAGHER