Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-02
WATERBURY AT HARTFORD.
What Our Representatives Are Doing
 At The Capitol.

At The Capitol.
 The most important legislation coll cerning this city, exclusive of consoli- dation was introduced by Representa- tive Guilfoile during the week. It was a bill to cut up New Haven county into two congressional districts, Wa terbury, of course, being the central point in the new one. This would probably give the new district demo- cratic congressman in all proba bility. The new line would take in all, the valley towns as far south as Derby and west to Oxford. Wolcott and towns in that direction would come in but Meriden would remain within the present line. Meriden is no good any way, either in polo, politics or base ball. bill has been passed by the federal government ordering re diStricting of the state on account of the increase of population and, it is a wonder. if not a miracle why some republicans did not immediately take up the idea. They were caught sleep ing by the youngest member of the lower house. Waterbury's democratic representative, MT Guilfoile. The only opposition expected is from New Haven's big republicans, but in all probability Representative Lilley would knock them over as he did with lllc dNCCulcS O1 uStEC SluNliCS D IS- appointment for judge of the court of common pleas in New Haven. let there is no reason why New Haven should object. By getting cut loose from Waterbury the, big republicans, the fellows that have made trouble for this end of the county since they were born, would have so much bother off their hands and could live happily ever after. It is said, however. that hn yrnt1ll hn . they would turn up their toes and kick the bucket having nothing else to kick at. Representative Guilfoile, the father of the bill is confident that his proposition after meeting with na- tural opposition from the born kick CTS of Meriden and New Haven will be enacted.
 Another bill introduced by MT Guilfole is of great interest to the parents of those children who are paying tuition fees in the High school. The town of Waterbury is peculiarly exceptional in that it cannot send US children to the High school on the same conditions that the residents of Middlebury or any other of the rural districts can send them. The present law provides that the children of a school district in which there is no High school may be sent to any other district wherein there is High school at the expense of their own town and the state refunds that town two-thrds of said expense. This law does not effect Waterbury, and pupils from outside the city limits that at tend the High school are paid for out of the personal funds of their parents, while pupils from Wolcott and other places, their way is paid first by the towns in which they live and finally hv n ct Tho 0hCt1(.1A a irnp1 of by AIr Guilfolle's bill would be re moved, by consolidation in the event of such q measure. passing. but this is by no means at all likely, for the stoutest advocates of that bill are eX- pecting the hardest kind of a fight.
 Regarding the bill for municipal lighting it is meeting with an objec- tion from the most unexpected quar- ter, the property owner and tenant. The bill will be passed. but there may be a provision inserted that the city shall not engage commercially in the product. Members of the lower house see great many complications ahead, the great test being the necessity of en- acting another lien law. It may have to be determined whether or not gas and electricity are luxurious. The Standard Oil allies in the house may have something to say when the bill
  hating oil in this city is very large. But to the principal objection thus far raised: It is feared that if the city engaged commercially in domestic light it would mean a great advance in rent. For the city to deal with the tenant the former would be at a dis advantage and would unQuestionably loose in hundreds of cases of dispute over bills. If the contract for lighting a dwelling house for one family say, was made with the owner Of the house. to protect himself he would have to raise the rent, for 1t must not be forgotten that for all things of pub lie use. sidewalks. water and light, it Is not the property owner who pays but the man with the hoe. the non property owner. It is the tenant who pays his landlords taxes. interests On the mortgage and eventually the prin- cipal. The tenant would be at the mercy of his landlord, if the latter failed to pay the city, out would go his light. Thus far there has been no cure found for this complaint.