The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-23
Don't Like Action of
Selectmen.
RESPITE IS OVER.
Legal Fight Over Webster
Railroad is Imminent.

Webster, March 22.-The attitude of
the board of selectmen in regard to the
franchise of the Webster and Dudley
street railway is creating a great deal
Of comment in town, and a large por-
piou q 1t is unfavorable. Among all
classes Of people, and especially among
the business men of the town, great
dissatisfaction is expressed and hard
names are being applied to the mem
hsrs Of the board.
One Of the directors of the road ex-
pressed himself very strongly in re-
gard to the selectmen today, declaring
them to be less worthy of the positions
they hold than the veriest illiterate
that could be found. His opinion may
have been biased, but 1t is true that
there is q strong feeling among a large
portion Of the prominent men here
that the members of the present board
sSe not acting for the best interests of
the town. and in such a way as to seri-
Custy teopardize their chances Of hold
Ing town Office when they again present
themselves as candidates for the suf-
frageS of the voters.
The action Of the selectmen has also
caused split In the republican party
and has greatly injured the prospects
of the party IN its future campaigns, it
is alleged.
The opinion about town seems to be
that Capt. Amos Bartlett has hurt his
chances OF remaining in the good graces
OF the votsrs almost beyond hope of
PREPARATION, and the remark is freely
circulated about the streets that he
would be unable to secure an election
70 any office whatsoever now, owing to
hts attitude in this matter. The letter
70 the directors of the electric road,
for which he is regarded by many as
more responsible than the remainder of
the board, is the cause of all the
trouble, as the document in question
has most decidedly failed to meet the
appreciation of a large part of the
voters.
It was the intention Of the republican
party to run Capt. Bartlett as its
nominee for water commissioner, but
II 10 felt that this may be injudicious
N the present state of affairs. His
term as seleotman expires this spring,
ana IN the present state Of public feel
ing 1t is regarded doubtful If he would
be strong vote-getter if nominated
one prominent republican told The
spy man this morning that the letter
TO the directors Of the road had prac-
tically ruined Capt. Bartlett's chances
fof the nomination, as the party leaders
were convinced that to nominate him
would be to strengthen the democratic
party In the contest. The republicans
looked on Mr.. Bartlett as a strong can
oldate before this happened, but as the
contest Is sure to be a close one. it is
now thought by many that it will be
necessary to seek another candidate
Other leaders OF the republicans ex-
pressed similar views to those of tbs
politician first interviewed.
superintendent and Treasurer Flint
OF the road is trying to settle the mat
ter arnicably, and the other members
Of the board of directors are seconding
his efforts as best they can.
AT ten minutes past Il this noon, the
expiration of the As hours respite
granted to the directors by the select
men occurred. The selectmen have not
as yet carried the threat made in their
letter into execution. The road stin
runs and will probably continue to do
SO unless the town fathers get still
angTter than they are at present and
force things to an issue,
The directors Of the road are not
worrying to any great extent over the
matter, and say that the selectme1
will have no easy Job on their hands
60 prevent the road from running
They declare that the selectmen viii
f1pd they have a big contract on theil
hands If they start out to fulfil theil
threat A joint meeting Of the selecP:
Snsp and the directors will have to bc
held before the courts. and if he see;
cause to grant an injunction, that will
be done and this action will be the
signal for the beginning Of protract &c
legal fight. The Eelectnen will have u
60 before the railroad commissioners
a Boston. and they will find that i
VIII cost time and money to close The
road ss they threaten TO do.
Chairman Glare Of the seieetn1el
seerna to have somewhat changed hi
point of view, and is less anxious 4
resort to drastic measures. but thu
other syo members Axs stu believed &
be tnAexfbls,
The dtrecthrs Of the reaA have steket
tsasaF case. They are willing 10 sell