Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-02
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Communication Received by City
Treasurer Russell Also

Mayor Thoms disposed of the back
salary matter to-day as farlas he Is
concerned by returning tito City
Treasurer Edward l.. futile. The
check was accompanied by the fol-
lowing communication with the
mayors position on the question:
Waterbury. March 2, 1908.
Mr. E. l.. futile, treasurer, city.
Dear Sir: | am enclosing my check
for $63300 which you will kindly
place to the credit of the city of Wa
terbury. This amount Is the sum re-
ceived by me from the city for the
difference in salary due from May IA,
1907, until January 6, 1908, at the
increased rate as provided by the gen.
eral assembly.
l have drawn this salary in order
to establish the position that | have,
maintained from the beginning, that
the general assembly had the power
to make this increase, that they ac-
tually did SO, and that the legal right
OF the city officials to receive 1t was
unquestionable, and for the further
reason that if did not draw it, the
amount unpaid would be legal claim
against the city, which might be coll (
lected by myself after ] went out of
office, or my estate at some future
time. 1t seemed to me that the mat.
ter ought to be disposed of now and
finally, and not remain a subject OF
future contention, and possibly litiga-
ton
An Investigation shows to my per-
sonal satisfaction that the vote of the
board of aldermen, which recon-
mended this increase, through care
less drafting of it, probably did not
express the intention of the majority
of its members, and that their real
purpose was to have the increase inm
the salary of the mayor, take effectR
January 6, 1908. Had such an in
tention been formally expressed in
their vote, it is likely that the gen.
eral assembly would have so framed
its resolution.
The question of the retention of
this money thus becomes one of sound
ethics and good morals, for there is
no doubt in my mind of my legal
right to retain it. Nor is the fact
that others have received and retain
ed increases of salaries under similar
circumstances, or by evasions of the
statutes that would seem to me to be
unlawful and unjustifiable, any rea-
son for similar conduct on my part.
The matter is simply one of my owr
personal Judgment as to what ought (
to be done.
In this matter occupy somewha I
different ground from the other of.
of the power Of the general assembly I
to put these salary increases into eff. (
feet last May, without reference OF /
even in opposition to the wishes of (
the board of aldermen. But | have !
always been constant opponent of i
legislative charter alterations unless !
such were made in accordance with !
the request of the city, and expect to |
be such in the future, and 1t being
my personal belief that a majority OF
the legally elected representatives OF
the tax payers of the city did not in
tend to ask the legislature to put
this salary increase into effect until
January 6, 1908, and passed their
vote in misapprehension of the law,
II seems to me to be inconsistent for
me to retain this sum for my own
use. have drawn 1t to establish my
legal title thereto, and herewith re-
turn 1t to the treasurer for this rea-
son.
Though / believe much of the
criticism OF my course in relation &c
II has been inane and made for poll
teal reasons rather than because OF
the possession Of standard of ethics
on the part OF those making the
criticisms higher than my own, yet
there is this much of truth In them,
that the mayor of city should be
above suspicion of mercenary motives
In his public dealings, and that hi,
influence toward good citizenship Is
lessened by any act that may seem Il
any considerable part of the people
to be of doubtful public morality. As
a lawyer, would advise any client
of mine that he had unquestioned ,
right to draw and keep this money, /
but as the mayor of the city. would .
prefer not to retain it. Kindly send .
me a receipt for the amount.
Very truly yours.
WILLIAM f. THOMS.
Comptroller NJ. ID. Russell never