Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-17
THOSE BACK SALARIES
Old Board 0i Aldermen Do Not
 Want to Pay Them.

The former board of aldermen, some of them at least, are now out with clubs about the increase in sal aries which they recommended for certain officials last spring and which were later approved by the general assembly. The matter was thorough ly aired at the time and not whimp- CT was said in the meetings or in the papers by any alderman to the effect that the salaries should not take eff feet until the first of the present year. It may be true that the aldermen didn't intend to have the act take effect upon it's passage, but if so, they were very lame in not saying so, so that there could be no ambiguity as to what they actually did mean, but seeing that they neglected to do this and left things in what they term a
 bad mess, one would think that they
 wouldn't care to be very anxious to discuss the situation. If the intent of the resolution passed by the aldermen had been changed in any way so as to make it mean something different from the original draft, the alder men would be justified in stating that somebody had committed a grave of fense, and an official wouldn't be jus titied in taking advantage of anything that might come to him by such tac- tics, but so long as this is not so, it looks as if any booting is to be done the aldermen deserve the hardest kicks. ...,...
 Some time ago the aldermen passed a resolution requesting the legislature to make certain changes in the char ter regarding the fire department
 When it came back it was discovered that the original draft had been doc tored at Hartford and made to read so that it legislated two democrats out of office. It was a pretty cheeky piece of business, but not an alderman in town opened his mouth about 1t and so-called good citizens who had the courage to be interviewed OI, the matter thought it was all right. In like manner the majority representa-
 ton in the board of aldermen tackled on about $200,000 in one night the mi rority protesting at every step, and the scene met with the approval of some who are now very angry about this things. It is not the intention of this item to discuss the merits of this ques- ton or take the ground that two or more wrongs make right, but to bring home if such thing be pos sible to many good men how partial they are to their own and how keen their sense of fairness is as soon as something happens concerning others. If there was anything wrong about this salary question the aldermen are to blame. The records contain noth- ing which would warrant any of them in stating that he never intended that the increases should be paid before the beginning of the year, and so long as there isn't, the aldermen ought to be the last to talk about it. Eight To- cal measures were passed at Hartford last year, all to take effect upon their passage. but there being nothing special asked for in this particular case it went with the rest. One of the aldermen declares that anybody who signs these bills steals. He ought to be ashamed to make such a statement. especially as the measure is a part of his own official conduct. But the whole thing was handled by republicans. and democrats are in no way to blame for it.