The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-08-25
Turn Out in Large Mum.
bers at Wednesdays
Town Meeting.
BRIDGE CONTRACT GETS A
BLACK EYE.
Meeting Votes To Rescind Vote Of
Previous Meeting To Build An
Iron Bridge Over Pond Brook,
Near Amos Hswley's.

the town meeting of the Monday previ-
Gus for an iron bridge over Pond brook
at Hawleyville.
The powers that be were evidently not
desirous of having the meeting widely
advertised, as they neglected to insert
the warning for the meeting in The BEE,
| as has been the custom for 10 years at
least. But the great haste of the select
men in letting the con- I vet for the bridge
after the first town meeting, and in spite
OF the fact that it was voted bids should
be advertised for, and the added fact that
the name Of Cornelius B. Taylor, the
third selectman, was placed on the con-
tract for the bridge without his permits
sion or knowledge, were factors that in
| themselves did more advertising than Mr.
I Glover evidently cared for or had any
idea of. The result, as stated at the
opening of this article, was q large and
representative gathering Of taxpayers.
Nearly every section Of the town was
represented, and 1t was evident by the
talk heard on the street that they had
come to knock out the bridge con tract,
and that in short order,
The meeting was called to order short
~ after 2 o'clock by Town Clerk M. j.
Houlihan, who read the warning. Attor-
ney Beecher named Daniel G. Beers as
chairman and he was elected without
opposition. Resolutions to rescind the
vote Of the Monday previous were then
introduced by Attorney Beecher, Sec
onded, and the question was open for
discussion.
George w. Bradley was the first to
take the floor. He expressed himself as
decidedly opposed to reecinding the vote
to build the iron bridge. Mr. Bradley
declared the day was past to build
30 foot bridge of wood. he stated he
could not understand wholly why they
had called this meeting. He had looked
over the list of names appended to the
call. They were honorable names and
good men, all. 1t seemed to the speaker
that the town of Newtown was getting
little biz stiDgy. He declared that if he
lived till another town meeting he should
move for 10 mill tax. Mr. Bradley
thought selectmen were often uuduly
blamed and he closed with a word for an
iron bridge.
Attorney c. H. NOrthrop took the fl cor
and stated that he wished to call the a.
tentiOn of the chair to q part of the res
olution offered by Mr. Beecher. He did
not think under the call they could act
only on the question of resembling the
vote of the week before.
In reply MIR Beecher stated that he
thought he had given the matter as much
hbbCublOn hs LIE ulHblI& 'SAAtu ItlStus E10
declared they could properly act on the
entire resolution. In support of his
point Mr. Beecher cited the famous New
town borough case, when David Booth of
Danbury was one of the attorneys. Mr.
Beecher referred to the fact of the RESP
luton ca ling fer two men to act with
the seleclmen. lie was sorry it was nec-
esaary to do this, but under the existing
condition OF things he believed the voters
were warranted in so doing.
At this point Selectman Glover handed
tt legram to Town Clerk Houlihan from
Frank Long of New York. 1t was as
follows:
New York, August %, 1899, 10. 25 a. m.
William II. Glover, Selectman, New
town, CT. Advise town meeting that we
do not want contract un less satisfactory
to citizens and will not ttand in the way
of re.lettirg.
F. r. Long & Co.
Mr. Beecher stated that undoubtedly
Mr. Long spoke the truth. The ia xpay-
ers needn't worry that they will ever
hear from him.
G. W. Bradley asked for recognition
from the chair. 81 don't see why it ie
necessary to make all this fuss about
this matter. We have built good many
new bridges and built this hall. 1t was
hll ElkuG lot Ine seleCbDen TO let the con-
tract for that bridge. But l am sorry Mr.
Glover wasn't gentlemanly enough to
consult the third selectman." But the
speaker thought Mr. Glover had perfect
right to order that bridge. An iron
bridge for that place is necessary.
1.-THE town of Newtown is more foolish
than wise in this matter" said Mr. Brad
ley in closing.
Herbert Wright said that he under
stood that at the last meeting Mr. Glover
had stated the bridge could probably be
built for $500. And after a raso luton
was passed that bids should be tdvt rtised
thereabouts. "Ls that business policy
Is that honorable businessP" said Mr.
Wright, and bis reply was a round of
apr lause from the t8 xpayers.
Attorney Beecher arose and stated he
hoped the speakers would be con slider
ate. There were some people present
with tender sensibilties, and be thought
Ii was unnecessary to stir them up. The
voters had come together to rescind the
vote of the week before and he CO lied for
the question.
Chairman Beers then put the question,
and the question was declared carried.
Mr. Bradley said he doubted the decision,
AMI the Ayes" and mos" were again
CD lied for. The response in favor of re-
scindjng the vote for building a bridge
was 30 vigorous that Mr. Bradley didn't
ask for a division of the house. An ad.
tournament was then made.
The meeting was in session not over 35
minutes, but it effectuslly disposed of
the bridge question. The general turn
ing out of the taxpayers was q good
sign, and shows that interest in public
affairs Ia not entirely dormant in New
kaw knl a. BIO &c
that when the interests of the taxpayers
are trifled with they are quick to act.
FC flowing ia a copy of the reso luton
adopted by the meeting:
Resolved, That the following vote
passed in special town meeting, August
IA, 1899, be and the same is ht reby re.
seinded
Voted, That the selectmen be, and
they are hereby instructed to build an
ron bridge over Pond brook, so called,
On the old Newtown and Bridgeport turn
pike aud the necessary subsiructure fer
the same, nesrNtfe residence of Amos
L. Hawlev, about one-half mile east of
Hawleyvil 9 depot"
Resolved, That the present bridge over
Pend brook at Hawleyville on the old
Bridgeport and Newtown turnpike, near
| the residence OF Amos u. Hawley, be put
| Ia good aud sufficient repair at once.
Resolved, That in the event of any
claim for damages being made by Frank
Long or any one else under the pretend
ed contract made by Messrs Glover and
Bradley, as selectmen. ar said Long on
August Ia, 1899, the selectmen and COM
mittee to be be reaftG appointed, be, and
they hersbv ar instr lcted to contest the
same and employ competent counsel for
that purpose.
Resol red, That Messrs David G. Peck
and Minott Augur be, and they hereby
are appointed committee 60 act with
/ the o. lectmen in all matters per aiming