The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-04
THE CITY'S COAST DEFENSES
WANT OLD SMOOTH

chusetts Telephone Company Ask
Permission to Erect Poles and Wires
Herc--Laying of Trolley Track on
Orange Street Opposed.
The old guns which were placed some
time ago at the entrance to the New
Haven harbor as an alleged defense
against possible Spanish attack came
in for some attention from theaboard OF
aldermen at the regular meetingbf that
board last night. After the journal had
been tabled, without approval, for the
correction of certain mistakes, Alderman
Dewell offered the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the thanks Of the
board of aldermen are due and are here
by rendered to the New Haven chamber
OF commerce for it's faithful, tireless,
unceasing and continuous labors in se-
curing guns for our harbor to protect
our city from an attack by the Spanish
navy during the late war with Spain.
and be it further
Resolved, That, inasmuch as said
guns proved to be SO effective during
the late war, and inasmuch as they are
of ancient and curious pattern and be-
| cause by reason Of their efficiency, aEe
and curiousness they have become very
| dear to our citizens, the chamber OF M
commerce be requested to use it's influ-
| ence In securing the permanent reten-
tion of said guns, and be it
Resolved, That a copy of these reso-
lutions be sent to the New Haven cham-
ber of commerce.
Alderman Chillingworth moved that
the resolution be referred to special
committee of two aldermen and three
councilmen. Alderman Lambert re-
marked that he supposed the gentleman
from the Eighth presented the resolution
in good faith. Alderman Dewell said
that he had seen by the papers that the
old guns were to be removed and
thought that since it cost $4,000 to put
them here, they should be kept here.
Mr.. Chllingworth said that he would
object to unanimous consent being given
for the passage of the resolution unless
the political guns of the city were in
cluded in its provisions. Alderman
Dewell had no objection to including
the political guns, but even this did not
satisfy Mr.. Chillingworth and he insists
ed that the resolution go to commits
tee. Ak
Mr.. Dewell moved that the matter be
considered by committee of the whole
and 1T was so voted. The board them
went into a committee Of the whole and
Alderman Cooley was chosen chairman.
After some difficulty in inducing any
member to accept the honor, Alderman
Donovan was chosen for secretary. The
resolution was read and Mr.. Chilling
worth made speech, in which he OPP
posed the resolution and moved that 1t
be indefinitely postponed Chairman
Cooley ruled that the motion was not
debatable and the motion was put and
carried, Mr.. Dewell meanwhile protest.
ing that it was debatable. Mr.. Deweu
then read from Roberts rules Of par
procedure to show that the
motion was debatable. This rule was
shown to Mr.. Cooley and he admitted n
that he was in error. Mr. Dewell then
took the floor and said: II did not offer
this resolution for humorous reasons, as
some of the gentlemen seem to think.
This resolution is no more humorous
than was the one passed by this body
about year ago when the board Of al
dermen and the chamber of commerce
sent men down to Washington to harass
the officials there at a time when they
were already busy. The men at Wash
ington, who conducted the war; kneW. :.
where the coast needed defenses. But
what did New Haven men want to do?
They wanted to interfere. They went to
and succeeded in annoying
the officials there so that to get rid OF
them, these old smooth bores We're put
uere, old guns which no one would shoot
off only at the risk Of his life. Spanish
vessels would never come here to see
hem except out of curiosity. 1t cost
$4,000 to put these guns here and IT.
would cost $4,000 or $4,000 to take them
away. New Haven will never need any
other guns. They are old curiosities like
some other things in New Haven and
think they ought to be left here.
want a copy of this resolution sent to
he chamber of commerce so that in the
uture when they want any more relics
lent here, this will stop Them
Alderman Root objected to the reso-
ution saying that it was too late now
o pass it, Alderman Shepard said: II
,now but little about the merits of thiss
esolution, but suggest that if the guns
re to be taken away and we are to be
eft without defense, I suggest that the
hamber Of commerce be petitioned to
lave some old woman with broom
tick put in their places'
Alderman Corcoran moved that the
ommittee report favorably on the reso-
ution. Alderman Chillingworth moved
o amend to lay on the table, The
was lost by vote Of 11-6.
'he question on the motion of Mr.. Cor
oran was then put and the motion was
arried. The committee then rose and
he board of aldermen was called to or
er. A motion by Mr.. ChillingWorth to ~,
able the committee report was lost and
was then voted to accept the report
nd adopt the resolution. 1t was also
oted to direct that copy be sent forth
18th to the chamber Of commerce At
MIS- point President Norris was obliged
} leave and called Alderman Shepard
} the chair. On motion of Mr.. Dewell
was voted that when the board adj
)urn it be to April 20.
Alderman Darlington presented PEE
tion from the Massachusetts Telephone
nd Telegraph company for permission
!, locate lines in New Haven and to
rect here poles and wires and to lay
onduits. The petition was referred to