Putnam patriot., 1908-04-24

lent mercantile center and large sec tion of country tributary to Putnam, and well established reputation as a good place to trade and with stores that would be an honor to even d larger city, and l can go on at con. siderable length but refer to these facts to demonstrate my position that you have a good strong town and city and on very hrm and substantial basis. and what has been accomplished and SO we'll done has not got to be done over again.
 Take ride over the socalied Nor wich and Worcester Railroad from Worcester to Norwich and where do you find more thrifty class of towns than all along the hnes People desir ing new home or change oi location do not make any mistake in coming here either to engage i'll business or place of residence.
 One matter thai perhaps i ought to refer to and that only ln general way. in my own several years experi- cnce of municipal life III Madden. AS Councilman. Alderman and Mayor, | very soon learned that If we were to have a city that would attract busi- ness interests and people who de sired to locate among lis as residents. fhat we had to keep ap with i'm pfoVements l ala very glad @ note that you are doing this in Putnam, and you are io De congratulated that this is being done and that you have kept your tax rate. town and city combined. not far from Si6 oo per thousand think your Connecticut cities and towns do not assess over zs per cent. of the value. SO you really have low tax rate.
 In several cities that l have re fcrred to in their rapid growth the past forty years. including Hartford. your State Capital, have not these inn provements been strong factor m their growths
 Take the city of Worcester. winch our honored friend. Mayor Dodge, has been so active in its affairs for many years. From my first going there in I865 in business way, city ot per haps 3s,ooo. they have to-day possibly 10000. and see the expenditure they are about to make towards a new railroad station The city has taken the progressive side in all its affairs, dH9 Hds ifot infs PitefR9stft HPst - been a strong factor m it's growth And the city will keep right on growing.
 Your own improvements at your beautiful railroad station are in the same line here in Putnam. A city located as yours is. G. miles from Boston, and on a line to tide water. and about four or five hours ride to New York City. has a great asset in it's favor
 We have noticed within a day er two the opening of the railroad from Rockville to Stafford Springs. and last year the building of the new plant, the Rhode Island Worsted Co. by far the largest factory in the town. and here comes the influence pf the Business Mems Association and much credit can be given 10 the Stafford Springs Association fer these two matters.
 4 word as to your hospital am oae of the incorporates and a fFHsiee 8f the Maiden Hospital. 2 member oi the finance committee from the stafi and chairman of same these later years. The hospital is we'll endowed by Maldea's great henefaetoF. fhe lats Hon Elisha $ ConYerse J have watched with much interest the ste. cess of the Putnam Hospital all o' these years since fl was erected and never pass on the cars but look ovei l that way. and desire to congratulate you and the people Of the surrounding towns on the strong support that yoi