Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-17
ABOUT A PUBLIC QUESTION.

Town and City Consolidation-Hon
 N. D. sperry Illustrates With . Lit-
 tie story.
 Hon. N. D. Sperry was inquired of yester- day by a COURIER representative as to how he regarded views advanced by one of his friends on the consolidation question.
 "Have you looked over the argument made yesterday in one of the papers by J. Rice Winchell in regard to consolidation" was askeda
 'T have looked 1t over." responded Mr. Sperry, "and with good deal of pleasure and interest. It is very able presentation of his side of the case. MT. Winchell is noted for his erudition and his clear and terse expression of his thoughts. His state- ments are worthy of due consideration. He Is always @ gentleman in whatever poaition he may be placed, and has the confidence of the entire community, especially among those who know him."
 "Yes, but what do you think of his argu- ments2"
 "As to his arguments, he has not met the issue, especially that one which refers to forcing government upon people not of the question of that agreement between the Annex and New Haven, which was c solemn compact that they should not be forced into the city against their wishes or consent. He does not meet any other points which I will not stop here to mention, for as have said, I considered all further discussion upon this matter for me ended in my reply to Clarence Dsming, and I prefer not to go into any further arguments upon the matter. Pm glad, however. that MT. Winchell agrees with me that If we have a city government, we must have town government also. This point he agrees to. What said was, if the people want one government they. can have that government under town government, but if they resorted to city government then two governments were necessary. This was my argument before the committee of the common council and am glad that so able champion of consideration agrees with me on this point, which is vital one."
 "But what do think of his vivid and able description of the evils that might result un- der town government"
 "Well," continued Mir. Sperry, "the de. scription was very elegant aud beautiful one. But Mir. Winchell evidently was tak- this and other towns for over two hundred years fails to show the disastrous effects that he has portrayed. It reminds me of story. A young lady and gentleman were engaged to be married and the happy couple were soon to be united in wedlock. The young lady's afisnced husband called upon her shortly before the day for the wedding and found her in tears, bitterly weeping. Says he: "My dear, what are you crying fort" She replied: "I'm thinking what a terrible thing a fire fig. If we should be married and have little children and the flames should de- your our dwelling and our little ones should perish in the flames and you, my dear in- tended with them, what fearful calamity 1t would be. My dear, want you to. prom- ise me that when we are married we won't have any fire in the house, for only think of the fearful consequences that might follow" s'My dear, :" replied the young man, "dry up your tears, all regular and we'll governed families use fire properly; that's what you and I will do, and 1t will be for our great comfort and advantage. Dry up your tears and take no further counsel of your fears." In few moments all was joyous and pleas- ant again, and on due reflection the fearful maiden came to the conclusion that imagin- ary troubles in the dim future had best be abandoned, and that fire, after all, properly used was great blessing and comfort. t
 think have said enough, more than I in- tended to, for must cease further consider alton of the matter. have only done what conceived to be my duty in opposing con. solidation upon the, city basis and regret to disagree with such an, able and distinguished gentleman q J. Rice Winchell hes proved, himself to be, Y