The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-03-01
THE NEW CITY CHARTER.
ANOTHER ANIMATED AND SPICK
 HEARING.


 the bills amending the charter of the city of New Haven, adjourned over from last Tuesday, went on before the committee on cities and boroughs this afternoon. The bills were heard as whole in the same manner as last Tuesday.
 The large committee room was crowded, Among those present from New Haven were the following:
 Mayor Hendrick, ex-Nayors Peck and Sargent, Professor Henry c. White. Professor George D. Watrous, William s. Pardee, Professor Smith, Eli Whit ney, jr, Rev. pr. smyth, James T. Moran, Major T. Attwater Barnes, Sem ator Johnson, Judge Hotchkiss, Edward l.. Linsley, Colonel N. G. Osborn, Fa
 H. Hart, Professor w. H. Brewer, Hon. James M. Townsend, Police Com- missioner Doolittle George M. Baldwin, w. J. Atwater, L. w. Beecher, Anthony Carroll, Alderman Well and B. P. Arr vine.
 The first witness was ex-Mayor Henry F. Peck, who made a general statement concerning the proposed bills.
 H. E. Benton asked if there was anything vicious about the adminis- tration of the departments of police while he was mayor
 Mr Peck explained that during his term affairs were very well conducted.
 He did not like the method of appoint- ing commissioners, however. Benton-Is that all you object to?
 Peck-During my term I had very little to find fault with in the commits sioners. There could be an improves ment in the system, however.
 Benton-There was no basis for criti- cism under your administration, you say?
 Peck-I said so.
 By MT. Arlington spoke of political machines then.
 Peck-The board of public works is going along smoother now than during my administration. when there was considerable wrangling over appoint ments by the board.
 Benton-Would the. appointments power with four commissioners and the dismissing power with one official work well?
 Peck-I rather believe it would work well.
 MT. Aiding asked if MT. Goodhart rep resented the selectmen, who had nd power to come here to oppose the char ter in view of the peoples vote of yes. terday
 Goodhart-We have the right to re- view this charter to see just what it is.
 Commissioner James N. States was then examined. He said he had served one year in the common council, ten years in the aldermen, eight years in the board of public works and one term in the senate. MT. States is a member of the commission that drew the char ter bills and he explained their work. He was further questioned by Mr. All ing.
 States-I have felt during the sessions of the commission that our charter was not what it ought to be in business and economy, although 1t might be very good political government. favor good business economy, eliminating politics. Under the present system of the public works we do not get the labor that we pay for. We are six commissioners and no person can be elected save by four votes. As a democrat have never con- scented to giving any more patronage to the republicans than we get. I have al- ways tried to get good trade and believe I have succeeded else I would not have been returned to the board term after term. It takes four votes to remove employees and at the pleasure of the board; four votes will clear the decks any day. tLaughter) And 1t faf f11ir1 Se,, examination as to the quality of the work performed. The superintendent wants to keep in with the commissioners so he wilh not have to Hook for job himself. Recently there was a. sewer .n Elm street to build and it was repre- sented that many men were out of en1- ployment, and it was decided to build It by days work; but the superinted- ent did not want any men sent, as he said he could do it better with men he selected. did not send him any men. Some years ago, when sewer inspectors were appointed, I got left. My man was not appointed Gaughter) We nave six commissioners and each is looking after himself and his friends. When bridges are painted we try to nave as many democratic painters em- JiOySu dS Cu6l0 eti6 VMStIly of the people who came before us were n favor of a single head of the police department. Afterward MT. Benton lrged that it be not so arranged, as 1t ,ould be made a powerful political en- zine. This had much weight with me. We did not desire such a political ma thine and decided we would have four commissioners. We also had up the natter of the mayor appointing the and that was open to he same objection, so we decided the common council should appoint as now. But I am willing that some man should ,e responsible for appointments.
 Benton-In your bill you place under he mayor the removal of every police nan without trial. Who is the lamp Inspector of New Haven?
 q believe it is MT. Noonan," said MT. States.
 Benton-According to the bill, he may emain indefinitely.
 States-That is all right if he per- orms his duties all right.
 Benton-Here is an officer illegally in flee and the bill allows him to remain nti1 he misbehayeS. Here is an office