Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-24
BAKED HIM FORE AND AFT
Opponents of JudSs Burpes Tell of
 His Shostcominis.

~ssS SeeVkAsvSAsA8os
 Opponents to the selection of Judg,
 Lucien F. Buipee to succeed himself
 as judge of the city court of Water
 bury took occasion yesterday afternoon
 when the hearing on the matter was
 held by the judiciary committee to at.
 tack him on account of allegations iI
 Waterbury that he has not satisfactor
 fly accounted for something like $1OON
 collected by him when city attorney fol
 sewer assessments. Edward F. Cole
 IS the candidate of Judge Burpee's op-
 ponents. The statement of Colonel
 Burpee's friends is that all his books
 and records were destroyed ill fire
 and that while the accounts are cOnse-
 quently ill chaotic state there has
 been no defalcation, and he stands
 ready to make up any amount it may
 be shown that he has not turned over.
 When the hearing was opened Sena- tor Peck of Waterbury spoke for MT. Cole. There is cloud On Judge Bur pee's record, he said. and he did not think the people of Waterbury wanted him. Judge Burpee may be able to clear away cloud. but has shown no disposition to do so .
 Nathaniel R. Bronson seconded Sena- tor Peck in endorsing Mir Cole. As for the records of the candidates, there Is nothing againt one, but something against the other. He said it was shown recently that money due Water bury had not been accounted for by Judge Rurpee. MT. Bronson submit ted to the committee copy of re- port about the matter, made by finan- cial committee. of the council.
 City Attorney J. r. Kellogg, for Judge Burpee. said that most of the bar were for him and he believed the general feeling is that the court has been managed under Judge Burpee in a model way.
 Senator Judson of the committee said that no member of the committee doubted Colonel Burpee's ability, but 1t would like to know of shese charges.
 MT Kellogg said that all the records of Mir Bllrpee. while city attorney, were burned in fire.@ When subse- quently receipts have t,tfned up, show ing that money had been received from persons, but not turned over to the city, Colonel Burpee was ready tomake over the amounts. The confusion is all due to the loss of the records. The finance committees report simply shows that there are some receipts ill existence for which no corresponding credits have been found. Colonel Bur pee stands ready to adjust the mat ter promptly.
 Judge Root of Waterbury opposed Mir Burpee's appointment. The fire in question occurred late in 1891, eleven years ago, but Waterbury has not cleared up the matter yet. That is be- cause the city has now got q business administration. These things have been concealed. now they are coming out. When a man is thus accused, let him resign or withdraw until the mat ter is settled. He charged that amounts received both before and after the fire are not accounted for. Mir Root said he was very sorry to have to speak as he had, but he believed all the business men of Waterbury feH in their hearts as he did.
 Judge Cowell did not think that for y-three members of the Waterbury bar would sign a petition. as they had. for man who was q defaulter (as the declareD. ,Ika said that Colonel Burpee became the peer of any man at the Waterbury bar soon liter he located in Waterbury. As q friend of Colonel, BuMpee. he hoped a full investigation would be held. He did not believe the city of Waterbury Is to lose a cent. More than that. Judge Burpee has acted for Waterbury, since retiring from the city attorney ship. in many cases without receiving cent and this had been set off against the financial differences. He intimated that one man who had appeared n against Colonel Burpee had q personal interest. for he had a suit against Colo lel Burpee and had tied up $1O,OoO Of his money.
 !, Richard Smith of the United Sta es Button Company spoke for Judge Cole. U. c. Church spoke for Colonel Burpee.
 Judge Clark of the committee asked 1 or some explanation as to why Colonel l 3urpee had not himself energetically ! r1tu tO out 'hN ''s''-'' ore. The answer given was that the ity had the hest me;,ls to work with. t had records. His were gone.
 It was brought out that Colonel Bur zee had expressed wish to be heard n his own defense. if attacks wer" made on him. but had felt some, deli ,acy about attending. Chairman Paige f the committee said that Colonel Bur zee should have been on hand if he lad wanted to be heard, but he should lave a full hearing.
 James E. Russell asked a fair deal or Colonel Burpee.
 Chairman Paige said the committee would like Waterbury citizens to clear ID the charges 50 that the committee would not have to pass on them iil any zay. He trusted that would be taken nto consideration. - =5'.
 When the hearing was closed Sena' pr Paige said he hoped that the next me the Waterbury people were on and they would not be at variance yer conditions of fact.