Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-04-09

Brisk arguments and q general poignancy
of reasoning marked the frst hearing of the
special committee of tho court OF common
council upon the consolidation matter ct city
hall last night. The room was filed with
both the friends and opponents OF the scneme.
The evening was given to the arguments OF
the friends of the measure. Attorney John
w. Alling and sx-Msyor Henry g. Lewis did
royal battle for their party. So also did the
others who spoke.
Mr.. Alling said he spoke only a. citizen
and had no pecuniary interest in the matter.
In investigating the matter he found there
was expended on roads and bridges In West
Vile about two and one-half times - much
~ the town ever paid. The objects which
consolidation seeks TO accomplish are obvi-
Gus. The board of selsctmen act as the
regular town meeting. The idea of
town government % expressed In the statutes
does not exist In New Haven. The city has
an expert like the city engineer, on bridges
and the like, 1t has the board of health and
other expert branches. When such guess
ton appeals TO the selectmen they either fall
dat upon the issue or have to bring In out
side experts. This is cumbersome mode
of administration. Again, those who have
charge of paupers should not be selected
by the vote of paupers. Not the slight
est effort has been made to comply
with the statutes In relation to this matter.
We have been In the custom of distributing
aid in loose way. A board of charities and
corrections Ia absolutely needed In this town
In my judgment, said Mr.. Alling emphati-
cally. How Insignificant Is the machinery
of the sslectmen compared with the machin-
cry of our FIRE department or engineer de-
partment or police department.. Each should
be under distinct heads, irrespective of poll
tics. don't know the present status of the
board of seleotmen but I have found
generally that three or four members Of the
board come from Westville and the annex.
In this way WestviIle and the annex, -
things 60, represent three-sevsnths and four
seventies Of the seleotmen. These outlying
districts thus get their roads and bridges
repaired. Human nature is human nature.
The annex IL already in the city as far a
school matters are concerned and the annex
people are growing rapidly in favor of con-
solidation. I think, however, our Westville
judgment Il is the best way for
the board of election to be
appointed by the same power that appoints
the other city boards. Much bluster would
be eliminated. It's absurd to have three or
four taxing bodies. You now have the city,
town and school district. All expenditures
ought to come under one central authority.
don't believe there are two sides to the ar
Mr.. Alling was questioned as to the form
Of government to be substituted. He said he
would simply extend the city jurisdiction
over the entire area.
Professor W. II. Brewer next took the
floor. He spoke Of the expense. he said
expenssa When roads are built In the town
outside the city nineteen twentieths of the
expense ia bourne by taxpayers who also pay
for their own roads In the city. He cited
the instance of q few years ago when an
epidemic of smallpox was threatened. The
board Of health stamped out the threatened
epidemic and the town refused to pay for it.
He thought great deal Of the late Meriden
epidemic was due to conflict of authority be-
tween the two governments of city and town.
1t doesn't mean which taxpayers shall pay,
but which board will handle the money. The
system Of charity is at present very bad
one.
Ex-Mayor Henry g. Lewis read an extract
from his annual message in 1873 In which
he took data from the three proceeding years
and presented strong argument for the con-
solidation of the city and town in figures.
There isn't q man to-day in the town of
Westville, said he, that could conduct his
business without going through the streets
Of New Haven, and he thereby receives
great benefit. don't want half way work.
want the schools united. want one grand
united government. Then we will see our
6ne City OF Elms In the height of its pride
and grandeur and more glorious than when
Its precincts extend to the foot hills of Meri-
den.
John o. Gallagher said there seemed to be
no question as to the necessity of consolids-
ton, but the question Is ~ to the mode of
consolidation. The few voters Of Westville
did not take issue with us on the feasibility
of consolidation, but they fought for veto
power. They wished to control the $40 .000,-
600 on our tax list by the $1,000, 900 on
theirs.
President James D. Dewell of the chamber
| of commerce said he would be false to his
convictions did he not speak strongly for
consolidation. He said IL was absurd to run
municipal Affairs by two governments He
said the idea of Westvirle and the annex that
hardship WAS being placed on them was
erroneous. The question Ia one Of equity.
It 10 Whistler Observation-Disclosures shall be
controlled BY one-twentieth In general ex-
penditures. The city and town limits are
growing close together. We now have Or
dinances which apply to one portion of the
| town and do not hold few feet farther on
over the line. The new aims house sewer
| will also soon have to be taken charge of by
the city, and 1t will have to be paid for by
Major 7. Atwater Barnes said the absurdity
Of the dual government system has been fully
shown. If new settlement was formed, II
surely would not establish six taxing powers.
! believe In one government 80 strongly
would vote almost to abolish the city govern
ment and live under tho town government, If
no other agreement can be reached.
| Joel A. SpeYry spoke of the great advan-
tsges to be gained in engineering and other
| operations by having the administration
under one head, which gives these matters to
the care of experts. Last year when We
| went to Hartford We were beaten because
there was more money against us than We
had. We had the town treasury to fight and
In this way we were practically paying taxes
| against ourselves. I believe there Is but one
side to the question. II may be STAYED of
by influences, but 1t must come some time.
| Henry @. White, in answer to q question
of Alderman Hamilton, chairman OF the
/ committee, said that in all large cities the
| paupers and other like business were taken
in charge by board of charities and cor
rsction.
George A. Butler said the element that ID
lacking 10 the fact that old government acts
should rest upon mature elaboration. In
city affairs this is fully done. In town and
to vote away thousands of dollars with half
| an hours notice. The system that allows
| this ID vicious to the foundation and should
be corrected at once. It is q question Of
sound and of good government, not alone Of
outlay. want to impress this upon the
committee.
| Captain Armstrong closed the arguments
with strong address in support of consoli
| dalton.
| The next hearing will be held next Tues,
day evening. The friends of consolidation
| will also be heard then and the three fol
lowing Tuesdays will be devoted to Its op'
| .. George Jennings.
Officer Hyde apprehended George Jen
nings in the act of soliciting aims from
pedestrian in the vicinity of Broadway las
night and took him to the police station.
At the Armory.
In the squad drill room last night tn
Admiral Foote post were drilled unde
Captain George 4. Fancher. Adjutant
General Embler acted as drill master.
The Foot Guards had their weekly drill
Quite number turned out and reports,
| s1khouoh tho rain key,k n oOod MANY aUav