The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-05
THE CITY CHARTER AGAIN.
ANOTHER EMPHASIZING NEARING
 YESTERDAY.


 ing Also Before the Railroad Committee
 The Trip to the Reform School To-day
 The Police Oyster Bill-GOvernOr Me-
 Kinley.
 Hartford, April 1.-The New Haven charter hearing went on before the committee on cities and boroughs this afternoon. John w. filling stated that he had an engagement before another committee. He had expected that Henry c. White would appear to repre- sent the legislature charter bill, but he was not present.
 It was agreed that the committee would hear the lawyers on their argu- ments on Friday, April 19.
 REMARKS BY MIR. BALDWIN.
 Town Agent Baldwin, speaking on the charter bills, said:
 ''1t would cost at least $25,0OO to per- form the work of the assessment of property under the legislative charter bill There are 11000 taxpayers in New Haven and there would be at least 1000 appeals before the board of relief the first year and it could not be car ried out in the thirty days proposed.
 ''We do not want a reassessment in New Haven, but simply a readjustment. It is the business of the board of as- sessors appointed at $2,00O each per year to do this work. It is unnecessary to appoint another commission for making assessments. I have told the assessors that the board of selectmen would furnish all necessary clerical as- sistance at any time. The assessors are, in my judgment, as well qualified as anyone the superior court could ap- point to do this work. The present board is made of men of ability and experience and are perfectly qualified to do the work. I was instrumental in extending the time of the assessors from one year to three, as it was com- plained of that formerly the assessors did not have sufficient time to perform their work.
 Amy new commission would have to prepare maps, a grand list, etc., and at considerable expense. The commis- sion could not use the present data and books, because the assessors have to use the material daily No board could be appointed that could do the work as well and at such small expense as the present assessors"
 MT. Baldwin was examined by Mir. Morehouse of Alling Webb 6 More house.
 Not all the maps are complete There are needed now maps for West vile and Fair Haven East and these maps would cost $100OO. About month ago the selectmen voted to op- pose the reassessment bill.
 JAMES BISHOPS REMARKS.
 James Bishop of the board of public works was the next witness and was examined by Corporation Counsel Ely. He said.
 "At the present time matters are going along nicely under the present charter. The board of public wor6s per forms the duties relating to streets about the same duties as the select men of towns have over their roads. This last week we have had outside of the regular force about seventy men employed. In the summer there would be from 200 to 300 1aborers, besides those employed on sewers and other contracts. We have the city engineer with six assistants and this work is being carried along excellently. If this work was given over to the mayor. my belief is it would develop into politi- cal machine. The present system on the bipartisan plan is check politi- | cally and we get along as well as we can.
 Politics are thrown out as much as possible?"
 "There was a rule that the superin- | tendent should employ men without l any dictation. I supposed it was to | keep politics out When I came into | the board this rule came up. I told | the commissioners did not want my | office turned into an intelligence office. | The old rule was adopted Afterward | was appealed to for work tickets. | told the men that the superintendent | had that work in hand. The reply was that the democrats were having men appointed-the democratic commission CTS not living up to the rule. We then stated to the board that the opposition should cease and the republicans should l have their sharei and at present I be- lieve men are being employed on the bi- partisan plan,
 'Regarding the appointment recent ly of the six sewer inspectors, I wish to explain. When the motion to ap- point was made there was @ tie vote and the mayor voted no. Afterward upon 1 the explanation of MT States, the re- publicans gave way. Seven sewers are now under way and there may be work for five or six sewer inspectors. The more sewers are ordered the faster they will be built.
 "There are about 1500 men employed on teams, etc. If man could 20 in and direct this patronage on business plans, outside of politics, the proposed legislative commission charter would perhaps do very well, but at present it would not be well.
 1.-The present method of appointing policemen under the bipartisan plan, believe to be better than under the old plan. Twenty years ago 1t would not have been safe to send a political pro- cession through certain parts of the 3ity but at present I believe the police would protect such processions from  ''Bills against the department are pre- sented monthly, the clerk ascertains l, whether the materials have been receiy- ,d, and bills are verified under oath.