Morning journal and courier., 1890-04-16
CONSOLIDATION CHAMPIONS.

Hon. Lynde Harrison and Professor
simeon E. Baldwin Lead the Flo.
quent Debates Before the Common
Councils Committee - Arguments
New and Old Upon tho question.
The champions of consolidation availed
themselves admirably of their last hearing
before the special committee of the court of
common council last night upon the question
of town and city consolidation. The leaders
of the evenings arguments were Hon. Lynde
Harrison and Professor Simeon e. Baldwin.
These gentlemen produced the most weighty
arguments yet heard by the COMMITTEES on
their side of the question.
Ex-Judge Harrison was the arst speaker.
He strongly advocated the system of
government now held by the city
in the matter of taxes and sp-
propriations among other things held
that II the question was submitted to the
people he was confident 1t would be favorably
think If they are called into the city they will
be forced to pay taxes from which they will
receive no benefit, said he. I believe from
the moment they come in the value of their
property will be increased. believe in q
compact community the schools would be
better under one government. cannot zee
how In New Haven the schools would not be
better by consolidation. There is much talk
now of Encouragement of school affairs.
A few men run the school district. They
come into a district meeting and ask for
more money and carry 1t through with q
whoop, whether 1t Is necessary or not.
As to the care of the poor, Judge Harrison
thought o. commission Of charities should
have the direction of affairs. should be
perfectly willing TO see the mayor name the
members of this commission and have these
names confirmed by the common council.
A to the school question, Judge Harrison
said he thought 1t would be q dangerous
thing to meddle very much with matters "a
they now are. The power of the school
board, nevertheless, should be limited sim-
ply to conduct of school affairs. 1t should
have no jurisdiction in levying taxes or maxi
ing appropriations. 1t should be practically
in the same position as the board OF public
works or police commissioners are. The only
difference there should be is that it's mem
bers should be elected by the people rather
than appointed by any executive body. The
people like to get directly at the men who
control school affairs and appoint teachers
for their children. The judge strongly
favored the concentration of city and town
affairs practically as advocated by the bill of
the chamber of commerce last year. There
are few details, however, which he would
change.
J. Birney Tuttle said the city pays be
tween $100, 005 to $40. GEO year for police
protection The amount taken In for licenses
BY the city is about equal to this, but 1t all
goes to the town with o small exception.
Frank Perry, ex.secretary of the chamber
of commerce, said he knew not what objec-
ton there could have been to the bill of con-
solidation as offered by the chamber Of COM
MERGE.
Prof. Baldwid spoke of the New Haven Of
year ago and the New Haven of to-day. No
fair argument.
There are certain personal and political in
terssts which would be injured by q unity OF
government, but no tenable argument can be
offered against 1t. No one can fail to see
that those In the outlying districts get city
benefits without paying for them. / DOM
believe the gentleman from Westville and
East Haven will suffer ~ they think they
| will suffer. This cause has
been championed for one year by
| the OWL service reform club and another
year by the chamber of commerce, and now
think 1t time for the city government te
champion 1t. Town meetings will continue
to be packed by those for whose interest IL II
to pack them until the government Il
changed. No one can say It takes two set
| of government to govern stretch of territory
| but few miles square. And If 1t takes bu
| one set, which Is the best set. There will b'
| less Offices to peddle about under one gov
| eminent than under two.
John S. Fowler, assistant clerk of the gu
perior court, gave many figures showing tn
advantage Of government under system O
appropriations.
Ex-alderman Frank @. Bushnell said b.
thoroughly believed in consolidation. II
last years board of aldermen, twenty-five
out Of twenty four were in favor Of consolida
tion. A year ago. the town owed the cit,
several thousand dollars; The city had trie<
to collect this for several years and could no
run under one mans power and respon
sibility, and this man would be the mayor
10 thought the party In power should rul'
and be held responsible. Everything IL rip
now for consolidation.
James D. Dewell, president of tn,
chamber of commerce.. spoke Of man,
Of the absurdities Of town meetings. He sale
1t was o matter Of business more than senti
msnt. 1t must come. II We don't get 1
this time We must get 1t next time.
Attorney John O. Gallagher told Of how
town meeting in the days of his fathers pc
litieal activity voted $500, 900 to the Air LIN,
road in spite of "the old war horses" pro
hesitation. The vote was wrong one and tn
money was never repaid. He also gave man,
figures showing what the town owes the cit,
and will not pay. He presented the commit
tss with an armful of consolidation litera
ture.
Joel A. Sperry, Seth Langley, L. Il. Freed
man and Charles G.. Kimberly also mad
short arguments.
The hearing NEXT Tuesday will be for th
Opponents Of the measure.