Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-05
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
R. K. Brown Stated Some Plain
 Truths Last Night.

SpeakeTS III WdtCip puiJ
 tendance, including the Rev Farrell Martin, D. D., Judge Cowell, Judge Root, Judge Cole and Attorney Guilfoile, but none of them attract ed the attention given to R. K. Brown, who made what might pc termed a somewhat sensational ad- dress. MT Brown was cited III to be heard regarding the applicatioh lof the trolley company to pc per limited to set iron poles Tn the sue ] walk opposite his property TOT tne purpose of holding up the network of wires in Exchange place. At pres ent. the wires are attached to MT Browns building, and the company states that in case of fire the wires would be very apt to become un- fastened and come down to the street, causing great risk to life ana limb.
 During the reading of the petition Mr Brown listened very attentively' land as soon as he got chance ne exclaimed:
 "What! Danger of fires from these wires and not word or Warn- ing from our officials. Why mas noe the present plan been condemned II it threatens the safety of our peo- ple? There must be something 1 wrong. The superintendent of our fire department should be brought before this board and asked to ex- plain why this condition has not been reported. This company asks permission to erect poles in the side walks and promises to maintain them in a suitable manner. What guarantee have you that they will do this? What contract could you en- ter into with them that would De more binding on them than the ones signed some time ago and whlcn have been violated. The other day you sent a committee to New Haven 10 remind the company that it was hot fulfilling its obligations to the tity. How much information did This committee get? With this ex- Aperience to go by what can you look Hto from this corporation in the fu- Hture in so far as keeping contracts are concerned? Look at this propo- sition, anyway The company wants to erect poles in my sidewalk and if they get permission the city will continue to tax me for the property while the company that is making money out of thesc poles will not pay anything for them. My tenants can not put box on that sidewalk with out running the risk of being brought over to the City hall and fined for violating city ordinance, and yet built that walk at my own expense"
 Here Mayor Thoms reminded MT Brown that the laws which give the company the right to do business in Waterbury are made in Hartford.
 After brief pause MT Brown con- tinued as follows: When we gave Unto the hands of the city officials ithe power to govern and make laws, { we little thought they would create laws taking away the personal rights of the people of this community, hence no provision was made against the executive side, while every possi- ble precaution was builded against possible hasty and rash action of the popular will. We who secured the adoption of our city charter did not foresee the need of providing any safeguards for our citizens against the tyranny of those who might be clothed with power from time to time; the only fear being wrong doing on the part of the people, hence no provision was made or thought of on the executive. When the heavy hand of authority brushes aside the rights of the people in the interest of any corporation and disposition is manifest to continue this despotism, there must be some yiaring defects in our fundamental law else such things would not be tolerated. Every owner of property must have some personal rights and freedom on his own premises which nobody else should enjoy without paying something for the privilege. The constitution guarantees this and because public men are asked to trample upon the constitution and ignore personal rights is no reason why they should do so. Freedom cannot long exist when chained to despotism. Besides this, Mir Mayor and gentlemen. why doesn't this company employ somebody who has A little brains? Look at the way it's work is looked after. I object to this petition, and I believe the board should protest. too, and do the fight ing instead of have me constantly at war to defend myself when I'm paving the city of Waterbury to pro tect mel"
 When Mr Brown had finished he looked through the room and recog- nizing a Democrat reporter, handed him a few notes on his remarks. adding that he might use them if he cared to.
 David Meth, representing the com many, spoke in favor of the petition. JHe said 1t explained itself. The &matter was tabIed.
 A hearing was held on the pro posed layout of South Main street from City Corners to the town boun- Wdary and Irion street. Considerable Proposition developed against the lat Iter proposition, hut the other ap- fpeared to please the property own pers. although some of them will claim damages.
 The proposition to extend JeHer- son street was given another airing. It vas opposed by Judge Cole and Judge Coweil. representing the Bron- son family. and also by Judge Root. who appeared for the Schmidts and others. F. P GanifoiIe represented clients, but they were not opposed to opening the street provided the Mw1r5 of dara@vrx fo them wrzx rFwhf