Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-08
AFTER MANY YEARS.

The Fight For Bridge Connecting
 South Main Street and Brooklyn is
 Successful.
 John Henderson, jr, will probably never again accept the chairmanship of a town meeting. He officiated in that capacity last evening and did fairly well under the trying circumstances. Nearly 200 people were present, the Brooklyn district being largely repre- sented. After order had been restored Town Clerk Madden read the following vote, which was handed in by John L.. Saxe:
 "Voted-That the selectmen of the town of Waterbury be and are hereby ordered to lay out South Leonard street to the abutments at Hopeville, so-called, and to construct a suitable iron bridge or bridges across these abutments." Seven men jumped to their feet as the fun began. The chairman recog- nized James J. McGrath, who said it would be well for the taxpayers to pe- ruse the matter a little while before | ordering bridges. He said that he was not opposed to building a bridge over the Consolidated road and the Nauga- 1 tuck river, but wanted to know the cost. He disparaged the work of the tax committee and wanted the whole matter tabled for two years until five get conservative board of selectmen." Representative Saxe then addressed the meeting, saying that he held in his hand a contract of the Berlin Bridge Co sent to the selectmen:six years ago, in which they agreed to erect a fifty foot bridge for $3, ,275 and 129 foot bridge with eighteen feet roadway for SIC, ,00O,- 25. The speaker thought that at the present time sidewalks could be in cluded in the last named bridge, for the original price. He claimed that the street was necessity, expatiated on the rights of the laboring man and sat down amid a burst of applause from the Brooklynites.
 A man named Harrington was op- posed to the road and bridge.
 Deputy Sheriff Fay then argued in favor of the motion, saying that anyone not in favor of the bridge was opposed | to the progress of the city. He con- cluded by saying that the people should not ask for the street, but should rather demand that it be laid out.
 Emmet Reardon moved as an amend ment that the matter be referred to the selectmen to secure an estimate of cost and report at the next annual meeting.
 Then the row began in earnest. Hall a dozen men tried to speak at once Representative Sake tried to explain but was called to order by City Clerk Kilduff, who said that MT Sake was trying to act as chairman. After the smoke cleared away the amendment was put and lost The decision was doubted and a motion to divide the house prevailed. Nearly everyone 1T the hall went to the east side and ther the chairman said a mistake had beer made. Those who favored the amend ment should take the west side. A few moved across the hall, but the amend ment was declared lost. The motion was then put and carried.
 A motion that the selectmen be ordered to work the continuation ol Ash and Wood streets. was then pu and carried after considerable dis cussion. Selectman Pinney explained that the streets had been regularly laiC out, but had never been accepted by th' town.
 Then Emmet Reardon moved that thu selectmen be instructed to expend { sum not exceeding $1O, ,000 in laying ou South Leonard street and building thu proposed bridge.
 A motion to adjourn cut off debat and the meeting broke up.