Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-03-15
ILLEGAL: ELECTION.
sl4..-s-..a1
Interesting Matter Discussed by
the Webster Selectmen,
CASE OF JAMES DUGAN
Chosen to Be Road Commits
sioner Under the Old Provision.
Board Decides That This and Other Cues
tons about Town Officials Must Be
Settled Soon to Avoid Possible
5tGN Trouble.
CASE OF JAMES DUeAN


sembled at headquarters this noon, and,
as result, many complications and
perplexing questions came before the
boards. attention relative to current
town affairs. After an hours discussion
the decision was finally reached that
the affairs of the town were certainly
in a nluddled condition.
Although this state of affairs has been
in existence for number of years, the
selectueu and the majority Of voters
have not until today found out that
they 5l1aFe been voting and electing
town officials Illegally. Nearly every
one has tailored for his respectiveSean-
didate sina absolute ignorance of the Mws
governing the election of several of the
town Officers.
The ball was set rolling when DIV Of
the town fathers raised a point as to
the legality of the election of Road
Commissioner" James Dugan, who was
elected to that capacity at the last town
meeting, and whose term of Office ex-
piEes this coming spring. Mr.. Dugan
and al of his predecessors have been
nominated and elected by the town as
road commissioner" and all thought
thai he was officiating in that capacity.
Mr.. Dugan considered himself a com
missioner, and that title has always
been applied to him.
In performing the duties as road
comnlissio Ter. Mr.. Dugan was a power
in himself, and there was no authority
over him. But in the spring election of
1895 the title of road commissioner
was amended by the voters, and that
judicial title was changed to surveyor
of highways. Serving the town in that
capacity, he came under the jurisdiction
~ h. LOO y,,.1y i,,,
provements could be started without
first securing the sanction of town
fathers.
When the surveyor commenced his
duties he was not aware of the law
which governed him, but thought, like
the rest of his predecessors, that his
word was command; and at the begin
ming of his term went ahead and did
whatever work he thought was re-
quired. During the closing months Of
his office he mas applied to the select
men for sanction to perform any labor
that was necessary for him to do.
The board decided that the question
must be settled Immediately, for as it
now stood it was too complicated, and
& if not handled in exactly the right way,
would no doubt entail damage suits
$ against the town.
Another complicated question arose
whether the elected water commission
E er was elected legitimately or not or
course the innocent board OF water
q commissioners are of the opinion that
they are. but the town fathers believe
that they. are not, and they have got
I the facts right with them, too, that will
q convince the "water men, that they
are not 1t has always been the GUS
tom to nominate and elect one water
commissioner each year. His term of
office was good for three consecutive
l1tf in. accordance with law.
instead of one being elected eacn year,
three should be chosen by ballot instead
of only one That is another matter
that will have to be ultimately ascer-
tained, and quickly at that, or probably
something more perplexing will crop
out of it, state. the board.
The constable question was also dis-
cussed in detail, and Mr.. Clare en-
phatically, remarked that something has
got tosbe done by the town in the mat
ter for Webster must have protection
at any cost. AT the present time there
has, been no provision made by the
town. for the election of even one con-
stable for the ensuing year. At the last
town meeting 5t1e vote to elect twelve
constables was. rescinded, and, when
Sheriff Glare moved that six be elected
instead of the usual number, that was
n also. defeated, and Webster is without
protection unless something is done at
once. e
John Flint, who was present at the
meeting, said: Il believe We ought to DO
s. AWAY with the watch district entirely,
and put on uniformed police day ana
night" His remarks were we'll received;
The bill of 5000, which was received
from the sewerage committee, ana
which caused considerable mirth to be
poked at the board, was again sent in
to be approved and drawn by the Off
ciating assembly. The bill clamored Tor
200 cold bones" but as it was not item
lied and asked for compensation ten
months in advance, it was quickly sent
back, with the request that 1t might be
more definitely explained. MIR. Flint
chairman of the board, appeared before
the selectmen in person, this time, and
somewhat explained the situation. he
said that it would De impossible for the
board to figure out the bill exactly as
it. should be, for the members each
worked many hours in regard to sew
& erage matters, and could not estimate
truthfully the hours thus spent, al
though he said that he could sit down
and figure out bill that would exceed
5000 for his services, solely. Chairman
Clare at. once Informed him that the
board did not wish him to do SO.
I'VE are perfectly willing 20 have the
matter go before the citizens at the
coming spring election ana have them
determine our salaries" continued Mr.
Flint, "as now we do not secure any
fixed compensation" The sewerage re-
port for the past year was handed in.
The following appropriations, and ex-
penditures of 1887 were reviewed by the
clerk and board, and estimates for the
ensuing year were made: Sidewalks
$1,000; officers salaries $500; fire de-
partment, 5000; railing dangerous
places, $780,, repair of bridges, $3.50
snow, ice5 and cutters $1,000; incidentals
$500; street lights. $4,000; interest. $500
water supply, $3.50; public library
$14OO; court expenses, $500; forest fires
$3.50; Memorial day, $3.50; Fourth OF
July, $50; enforcing license law, 5000
soldiers aid, $375; schools. $4,000; ex-
pected matchmaking, $4,000. The com
plete expenditures Of the town for the
past year has BEEN previously pub.
lished.
The board decided to insert an article
in the town warrant for the widening OF
Myrtle street. 1t was attempted tc
widen this street two years ago, but a.
that time the selectmen ascertained
that it would cost "a little fortune SC
they decided to wait. However, the
board have decided to put this article
through this spring, for they now are
aware of the fact tina if they don't