Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-19
LAID ON THE SHELF.

Charter to the PeOplc.-The Demo- crats Refuse to Go Into Joint Session.
 Mayor Kilduff presided at the meeting of the board of aldermen last night. The following petitions were received and re- ferred to their respective boards: Of F. NJ. Bronson for the acceptance and layout of Hospital avenue; of Edward kiely for the layout of Granite street; of NJ, Paschal for an electric light at the junction of John and Jsmes streets; of c. A. Colley for sewer in Hospital avenue; of L. R Garter for extension of water main 1000 feet west of city line on West Main street; of H. NJ. Oseransky for abatement of taxes amounting to $5 94 on list of 1893.
 Matthew J. Shelvey notified the board that he will claim damages for falling on defective sidewalk on Scovill street.
 The license of T. H. Buckley to conduct lunch wagon at the southeast corner of the green was renewed for six months.
 F. F.. Jaquiery asked permission to con- duct fruit stand at the junction of Grand and Sank streets The petitioner was given leave to withdraw.
 On motion of Alderman Cross the board then voted that the councilmen be re- quested to meet the aldermen in joint session to discuss the proposed new char ter.
 In the councilmen's room the recom- mendation of the committee on lands and buildings in relation to Illuminating the City hall clock was adopted. The com mittee recommended that the contract for dials be awarded to the Standard Electric Time Go for $222. carpenter work to Tray | Brothers, $24. The vote to go into joint session 10 discuss the new charter resulted Tn tie. Councilman SIavin then offered | the following resolution:
 Voted, that the proposed charter, as | submitted by the committee appointed to draft the same. be placed on file, and the committee discharged with a vote of thanks"
 The vote was tabled
 Councilman NJ. J. Colloty offered the | lowing resolution:
 Voted that the draft for the proposed new charter for the city. AS submitted by tn" committee on cEarter revision, be sub mltted to the citizens and tax xpayers of this city for their action thereon, and that the mayor be and he Is hereby requested to call special city meeting for the pur- pose of giving said citizens and taxpayers an opportunity to express their approval or disapproval of this draft for A charter, or any amendments or alterations made thereto; and that no draft for a charter for this city be presented to this session of the general assembly until the people have l SANA SNNSH A1UhAty tO cA press tucnseINeS n the matter"
 | Speaking in support of his resolution | Mir Colloty said: MT President: Since the 1 draft for d new charter wss submitted by | the committee on charter revision to this count I have been called upon by many of my constituents of the third ward and by many citizens and taxpayers from all DOT tions of the city in refesence to the action that this court would take on the same While find that some with whom have l talked favor some of the features of the new draft, find a much larger number | opposed to some of the more important and radical changea that the adoption ot the charter would bring about If this matter was an ordinrry one to deal with ioubt not but We all would feel competent and willing to act upon it to the best of our respective abilities and judgments. hut thls Is no ordinary piece of legislation | it is legislation of vital importance 10 the present Waterbury and to the future Waterbury. Ii this charter is adopted i' will make most marked change Tn the government of Waterbury | of its people. The matter is of so great importance that do not feel willing to. nor do l think 1 am justified in speaking for my constituents of the ward or for the people in general If the people are to
 
 | have voice in the making of said laws. The sovereign power to make laws still re- mains with the people, I claim that Jus tlee and fairness requires and demands | that any charter drafted for this city should meet with the approval of at least major l ity of the people affected by its provisions l claim that 1t is unfair. unjust and un- | American not to submit this charter to the citizens and taxpayers for approval take this stand after due consideration and after much inquiry among the people and because believe it is the only fair course to pursue."
 President Tracy said that the people living in the town had some interest iL the matter and the vote provided for a city meeting only.
 Mir Colloty said he should be pleased to see the the vote amended so as to include all who might be affected by the proposed change. He thought it was a matter of too much magnitude to be decided by the court of common council It should be submitted to the electors of the three gov ernments. the town. city and school
 Councilman Brewer did not believe that any member of the common council was willing to accept the charter in its present shape, but he thought it might be amend ed so as to meet the approval of A joint l talk of submitting it to the people. The resolution was then put to A vote and de- clared defeated MT Colloty doubted it.
 Councilman r. ]. McGrath said he thought the proposed charter should be submitted to the people. It was but req sonable to believe. he said, that the opin- ion of the people on this matter would be tbe proper thing. The motion was put again and lost. ten democrats voting for it and the republican members voting against It. The meeting then adjourned until the regular meeting Iu April.
 The republicans have been holding se- cret meetings since the new charter WIS presented to the court of common council. and are satisfied to go ahead with the work, for they feel satisfied that when they are through with it the whole business will be changed so as to meet their own ideas of city government The democrats believe that the whole people should be heard ia a matter of such importance as this, and are making bitter fight to have the people asked whether they want the change or not.