Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-21


 the law on the sidewalk question The mayor stated that if people failed to do the work within the time specifi, ill the order the city could do it and charge the expense to the owner, or it had the right to bring the owner into court and have him fined for refusing to comply with q city ordinance. This led up to a sharp tilt between Com missioners Whiting and Scully. The mayor said he wished the law was so framed that the city had charge of laying and caring for walks and let the question of expense be determined in the same manner as that of other public improvements. MT Scully said he should be glad to see such a law in force. but that under existing con- ditions he preferred to have the su- perintendent or someone else push it. He hated the idea of seeing private citizens hauled into court on such charges.
 MT Whiting: Tt is their own fault. Do you want to see some people grin ming at their neighbors and calling them fools? suppose you wouldn't take man into court if he knocked you downg
 NIT Scully: Don't you think the bulk of faultfnders about public i'm provements are people who pay no taxes and don't care what burdens are laid on those who do?v
 Mir Whiting: Perhaps they are. A majority of the people of Water bury own no property, but is that any reason that they should not have side walks to walk on? Is a man who pays no taxes entitled to no considera- tion?''
 MT Scully: 'sHe is entitled to just as much consideration as the man who does pay, but that's all Those who have to foot the bills should not be lost sight of,''
 MT Whiting: .'Look here. If I couldn't afford a sidewalk To be ashamed to say I owned house.
 MT Scully: 'sYou're one of those men who put their money into the bank instead of investing in real es- tate. If that plan had been carried out with the early settlers of this town there would not be as many houses ill Waterbury to-day as there are. Many of our prosperous citizens had very modest beginnings. If ev- cry man who owns a house in Water bury had waited until he was able to buy a place with sidewalks ill front of it it would be an easy matter to count the rate payers
 Mr Whiting: T have no money in bank, but I think people who own property should be compelled to keep it in proper condition for public tray el. If they can't do that they have no right to own it.''
 MT Scully: Eff that order of things should obtain the situation would be about the same here as it is in the countries where you and I were born. A few wealthy people would own all the property and those who occupied it would not have much say regarding improvements. I've seen all I want to of that. We all want the walks repaired, but I think we should not be too ready to rush peo- pie into court.''
 Mr Whiting: 1T have no sympathy for q man who is able to lay q walk, but won't do it. I know cases where poor men mortgaged their houses to comply with orders of the city, while some of their nefghbors who had good means took no notice of 1 them
 MT Scully: sIt Is hard to be judge l of ones neighbours means" At this juncture the mayor called for order and the matter was dropped for the time being.
 It was voted to have an outing to the Branch next Monday.