Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-25
SEDGWICK'S REPORT.
Rcbuxcs Editor Wells For InduIginG in Little Personalities and StilI In- sIsts That the Proposed Charter Means an Increased Salary List.

Means an Increased Salary List.
 Editor of the DEMOCRATS:
 In Saturdays issue of the Republican | the editor in criticising my article pub lished in the DEMOCRAT, commenced with | is usual characteristic and sarcastic style | of reasoning, which intelligent reade | would consider better adapted to the overture of minstrel show, | than to print it with the faintest idea that it would add any con- verts to this contemplated charter scheme. | of which he was one of the originators and | promoters. Several of the sections would | | compare very favorably with the argument he advances in it's favor, 10 wit: Our great and good friend, Benjamin | Seigwick, who for several years has been l harboring political grievance that finds solace only in figures, criticism and ink, rushes into extensive print with statistics and things" believe the above quota ton is very similar to the argument raised by Mir Wells in his acticle of the 18th inst 1 It would be more intelligible to the readers of his paper if he would be more explicit | and inform them to which particular sec
 ton this sarcasm and blackguardism ap- plies. As am desirous of deriving all the
 information possible in regard to this triple
 monstrosity, would respectfully ask Mir | Wells to give little more detail to his re- | marks, 50 that the readers can derive a
 more intelligible idea in regard to his or iginal and forclble theory. I can ccmpre- bend the point he raises when he speaks
 a political grievance" This argument is
 essential to prove that ''lot of offices
 have been abolished that carry compensa-
 tion." And l suppose that It will be use
 less to argue any further on salaries. But
 am somewhat puzzled in regard to which
 section he has convinced the taxpayers is
 practicable on the basis of suburban in-
 signihcantS," unless he has satisfied the
 voters that the consolidation scheme is
 tho best thing for the farmers. and l sup
 pose that the ''unclassifed citizen" part of
 his argument has demonstrated beyond a
 reasonable doubt that the entire document
 as drawn by this infalllble committee Is
 the only charter that will save Waterbury
 from complete demoralization. The ab-
 surdlty of an argument based on such
 tllmsy material is apparent to far minded readers, and its effect is more ridiculous
 than convincing, and the sooner he ad-
 vauces facts, instead of personalities and
 sarcasm, the more favorable his pet char
 ter will appear to the taxpayers.
 Every voter in Waterbury knows that Mir
 Wells was one of the members of the char
 ter committee. He Is one of the origina- tors and projectors of all its provisions and its only natural that he should be one
 of the strongest supporters of the scheme. and l do not question his honesty of pur-
 pose If he believes he is right it is his duty to advocate the measure to tho best of hls abilities. Nobody finds a word of
 fault with him for that. but l ought to be entitled to the same privilege. If Mir Wells
 opinion ditfeSs from mine on the charter I question, or any other question, l should thlnk no less of him for 1t, and it would S not strengthen my argument one iota if should characterize him as an ''unclaSsitied . citizen" or small politician" It certainly u would carry no weight and would not at- . feet the charter question one way or the Il other.
 He has hot seen fit to refute any of my ' | nEures printed in the DEMOCRAT, except " Ing the table giving the Aggr6 gate salaries . under both charters tand he criticises u these figures technically In the first place u l.r .ys assume the compensation for U clerical work in the controllers department ' will amount 10 $l .jOO, and that the char l. ter did not provide for any clerical worE U there l admit that II dose not make any
 such provisions. But let's see what are " the duties the charter presCrihes for this II olliclAl. In the first place he must pur- II chase all the supplies tor both districts,
 which any sauC person knows will require
  out his reports quarterly. The accounts
 m"st be attended to in the meantime. ' Does Mir Wells mean to infer that because | l assume that it would cost the city $l ,5OU ! for clerical work that 1t Is not fact? He also says the compensation of many of the
 sAlaried officers Is to be fixed by the board of aldermen or the board of finance. Con- a a crded. But does Mir Wells mean to InieI Il that the amount that they determine will . be any less in proportion than the com
 peusation fixed by the charter committed . for officers whose duties would not be any :! mere onerous.
 ' Mir Wells. as everybody knows, was 8 = member of the committee who drafted the ' charter consequently he knows just exact
 ly the aggregate amount of compensation n that 1t will be necessary for the city to pay under the prospective charter. As he ha: !. given the matter great deal of attention u for the past year. he ought to be familiar :. with the document in detail Why don ., he give the public definite figures and show <. the public what this aggregate compensa .. ton amounts to? It is altogether too tech nical to continually dwell on the amoun :, saved under the new scheme. and keeI ~ perfectly mum in regard to the thouSand ~ of dollars in salaries created by the doc ~, ument. Let me make fair and reason , able pre- position 10 Mir Wells. If he wIl
 give me the accurate and positive aGgre , gate of the amount 1t would cost the cit, D. according to his pet measure, l wIll wage
 hlm tie best hat to be purchased in tn
 city that will demonstrate to his entir
 satisfaction that II will cost the city nor tS money by a considerable sum than 1t cost
 under the existing charter. MT We'll ,' spends all his ammunition in regard to tn IL merits of his scheme on the salary issue W NrI HaaDn inSiunIiRanf n - to many other questions involved. WItl
 all his enthusiasm on the subject he ha '" utterly failed to produce any plausibl - theory in regard to abolishIng the office O ' mayor and substituting ear in his stead " and the strongest argument he has thu . far advanced in favor of consolidation
 Is his suburban insignicant" theory. N ''Who for several years has had politi F cal grievance" wonder if MT Wells refer n to my defeat for first selectman. l. was not aware that ever made any com
 plaint or found any fault with the votsr
 and taxpayers for not continuing me il
 office, if they concluded my administrator ~ was not satisfactory. Instead of having an ., grievance" l am under obligations { v them for continuing me in that posltlo
 for five consecutive years. was re-electe
 as long as they were contented with m
 administration, but they finally conclude
 some other man would conduct the affair
 of the town to better advantage to the tax
 payers and they beat me out of sight, a n, they had perfect right to do. The exis ra ing charter don't yrouide an official wit ss patronage enough to keep him in office fol to ever. On the other hand supposing ha n: been mayor under the proposed charter ot and desired to defeat the will of the peopl m and had manipulated the appointment O. with discretion. politically, and distribute !G the immense natronape at my disposf