The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-12-05
TOWN AGENT APPOINTED
REPUBLTC1N MEMBERS SELECT
 ROBERT F. BALDWIN.


 4to 5 Vote Resolution and Vote Passed
 Town Counsel Goodhart Employed as
 BaIdwin's Counsel-CI Clerks Perry and Rowe Reappointed.
 Both political parties took steps yes terday to secure for their respective candidates the office of town agent. Philip Hugo, the democratic contest ant, took the initiative in the morning, when ex-Congressman Pigott went be- fore Judge Shumway in the superior court and asked for a writ of quo war ranto against Robert E. Baldwin, the republican incumbent. This action re- suited in an order from the court cit ing in MT. Baldwin on December il to make answer, and it was met last eve ming by the republican members of the board of selectmen by the passage of a resolution declaring Robert E. Bald win first selectman and ex-officio town agent The democrats protested against any such action on the part of their re- publican colleagues. No attention was paid to the protest and the resolution was passed by a party vote.
 The board organized for business by selecting Luzerne D. Ludington presi- dent. Fred l.. Perry was elected finan- cial clerk at a salary of $1,50O. George w. Rowe was made assistant clerk at a salary of $11O0, which is an increase of S100.
 The following committees were an- nounced: Finance, Kelly, Kinney, Sucher; outside poor, Sucher, Cunning ham, Baldwin; railroads and bridges, Ludington, Hugo Baldwin; construc- ton, Sucher, Kinney, Ludington; fence, Kelly, Hugo, Ludington, park commits sion, Baldwin; to audit account with registrar of vital statistics, Cunning ham, Ludington.
 It was voted that the committee on roads and bridges be authorized and empowered to employ suitable labor in the department of roads and bridges, as will seem best. This vote takes the employment of the laborers on the roads out of the hands of the commit tee on outside poor.
 When the routine business had been cleared from the table Selectman Kelly offered the following resolution and vote, and moved their adoption:
 Whereas, It has come to the knowl- edge of the selectmen that Philip Hugo claims to be first selectman and ex-offi- cio town agent, which claim is not rec ognized
 Voted, That this board declare Rob- ert E. Baldwin to be first selectman and town agent.
 Voted That Selectman Robert E. Baldwin is hereby employed and select ed by the selectmen to attend to the office of the selectmen daily during the usual hours and to be in attendance there to hear and act in the regular custom of the office, to sign all orders upon the town treasurer, to cash all payments ordered by the board or any committee thereof, to receive reports from and direct the labors of all en- ployes, except as otherwise ordered by the board; to keep with the clerical as sistance under his direction all ac- counts of the selectmen or town, to re- ceive, receipt for, in the name of the town, and deposit with the treasurer, all monies payable to the selectmen; to keep in his custody all books, papers and all other property whatsoever be- longing to the town, that is or may be in the possession or under the control of the selectmen; to act as clerk for the payment of pensions to soldiers or phans; to appear for and defend the town in all suits and proceedings for or against the town; to perform all ministerial acts for the selectmen of the town, proper or useful for the town in his opinion, unless otherwise specifi cally ordered by this board, and to per form and do all the duties and things, at any time heretofore customarily per formed by town agents in New Haven. He shall receive for his services under this vote $2,300 a year, and no other selectman shall do or perform any of the things set out in this vote.
 Voted, That Town Counsel UP. Good hart, be and is hereby authorized, di- rected and empowered to defend any and all suits already brought or that may hereafter be brought by said Phil ip Hugo, or any other person, attack ing the validity or right of the said Robert D. Baldwin to act as first se- lectrnan and town agent, ex-off1cio, and the town counsel Is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such add- tional counsel and legal assistance as In his judgment is deemed expedient.
 Selectman Hugo said "Gentlemen. I protest against the adoption of the vote offered by Selectman Kelley. The moderator of the town election declar- ed that the vote of the election cast on the first day of December Qast Tues day) showed that I had been elected first selectman. In accordance with this declaration demanded the keys of the selectmen and town agent of MT. Baldwin, which he refused. I have in- stituted proceeding against him in the superior court. I claim that this board has no power to do what you are now attempting to do. I have been elected to this office by the people. and 1t is my intention to invoke the aid of the law in my behalf"
 Selectman Cunningham supported his democratic colleague. He thought the court should decide the question, now that it had reached that stage.
 The republicans paid no attention to these remarks. and the resolution pass ed by 4 to 3 vote.