Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-10-04
Elected
To Recommend
Changes.E

A meeting OF Inc cltlZenS OF Darfe
was held in tho city court room last
evening to see if the people wanted the
city charter amended and il, so, what
amendments were needed.
The attendance was smalls there be-
ing less then twenty citizens present.
f. W. Bisbee was elected chairman OF
the meeting and II. S. Currier secretary.
Representative elect Swasey spoke as
to the object of the meeting and made
suggestions as to committee being ap-
pointed to confer with the Mayor and
City Council about the necessary chang
es.
J.P. Marr thought the charter should
be amended, and committee should be
elected to see about it.
Mayor Gordon made clear and con-
else statement of the existing order of
things and thought the charterall right
as it is, if the people would Only 70.
member that the General Statutes apply
to cases not specifically covered by the
charter. He cited things it would be
impossible to change, for instance the
proposed amendment of electing the
city Judge by direct vote Of the peo-
pie, There are some things that the
Legislature insists shall be uniform in
all city charters. In answer to ques-
ton by SEQ. Currier he said he thought
tax rate of $500 next year would fur
nish as much revenue as 1862 had this
year. The present system OF having the
City Council fix the rate is all right.
They are limited to rate of $1.bO now
and all excess of that rate is imposed by
direct vote Of the people.
L.. J. Bolster arose and moved that
the charter be so amended that the May
or DO all the appraising of property.
F. G. Howland laughingly seconded it.
He then spoke briefly in favor OF amend
ments as to limiting the power of the
council, and the tax rate being fixed by
the people. Thought present appraisals
too high. Several pieces of property
sold for less than listed at.
Mayor Gordon spoke to some length
in reply. Thought charter should not
be amended simply to appease pei
grievances of few people. For each in
stance of property sold below appraised
he could show three sold for more.
The chair thought the listers should
be elected by the people to stop the
..cussing'' tho Mayor and others are
now getting if nothing more. Presen
CITY officers are all competent men ant
honest.
The Mayor arose and referred to th'
last village meeting held here, to show
the impossibility of getting the mass o
the people out to attend business meet
ipcs calling on j. 2. Mari to corroborat'
his statements.
Mr.. Mari stated that when he wen
to the last village meeting there wer
only four men present. lie went ou
on the street and after hunting half ar
hour secured three more. Not one
those present knew thing about the
needs of the village. They voted t
reduce the taxes 10 cents on the dolla
and then tricd to carry motion to rx
empt themselves from taxation. lie be
licved in leaving things to the peopl
when possible but thought the cit
council with the present restriction
safe hands in which to leave much
, the city business. He moved that
committee of five be elected to meet
a selected date and learn the opinion
of the people about amendments, sue
suggestions to be presented in writing
After considering them for reasonabl
length of time they should bring the,
all before a mass meeting OF the peop
for approval or disapproval. Il.
Smith seconded the motion.
s VIM. Boyce arose and spoke at son
f length He said the trouble in Bar
c was that the people couldn't agree, b'
e must be all the time wrangling.
g suggestion made by the chair that Il
:, differences be settled before going
l. the legislature was very good. M
:. Boyce thought tho old town meetil
e system of government was the best po
d sible system. These things intere
n all the people and should be decided
them. He cited instances OF bett
r. conditions under the village charte
le Streets are poor now. He favored
r election of assessors by the people a.
le thought the taxpayers should fix t
W rate. The city judge might well
elected by the people but it is impossll
- 1t is the wish Of the people that the CHI
fer be amended it should be done. Sol
NJ will have to make concessions.
" must not consider individual cases,