The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-14
BEDDING
BEDDING TO INVESTIGATE
 TOWN METHODS
Purpose of Movement Now Under Way
 in Bedding.
Disquieting Rumors Long in Circulation to be Looked Into = Other News of General Interest tO Oar Readers.

circulation this week a petition to the town meeting to act upon a number of propositions, the most important of which perhaps is that set forth in the first paragraph as follows:
 ''To consider the advisability of ap- pointing committee charged with the duty of inquiring into the methods by which the business of the town is com- ducted in such of it's departments as may be deemed properly the subjects of such inquiry with the object of de- termining whether and to what extent irregularities and abuses have been committed by officials conducting the affairs of these departments and to suggest measures which shall tend to safeguard the future interests of the town.''
 Besides this idea of a general inves- tigation the petition names number fore the meeting. One is that the se- lectmen ledgerize their accounts, something they have not done in the last four years, and that they keep a record or minute book in which shall be entered a summary of their pro- ceedings This has never been done. Another is that one of the town audi tors attend their meetings to give as sistance in clerical work. It is fur ther proposed that the assessors be empowered to secure expert aid for the valuation of property when occasion arises for the use of such aid and that in the questions arising from the equalization of school property values they be guided by competent legal ad- vice. To instruct the seiectmen in regard to bidding for. State road con- tracts and to direct that they appoint the moderator for the business ses- sions of future annual town meetings are other purposes named. The pe- tition concludes as follows: "In gen. eral to take such advisory and reme- dial action along the lines indicated by the first paragraph of this petition as shall appear to be pertinent and salutary."
 While no departments are so far named as subjects for inquiry it is un- derstood that one of them will be the posed investigation should be voted. No one looks for the unearthing of large scandals in any department. Should an inquiry be ordered, how ever it will at least serve to show how much ground there is for various rumors alleging loose practices and improprieties "It wilI,'' as a leading citizen remarked, "be a cause for sat isfacIon if these damaging reports are shown to be without foundation and if otherwise the need of such an in quiry will be demonstrated. Certain ly it can do no harm to go over the books and review conditions. That there will be disclosed instances of carelessness I have no doubt and there may be revelations of a more serious character Any official under suspi- cion should welcome such an inquiry because of the vindication it will bring him if he IS suspected or accused without just cause"
 - Lloyd Blackman, moderator of the town meeting, gave his decision last Saturday on the vote for assessors, the decision being in accordance with the opinion of lawyers whom he con- suited He declared the three Dem ocratic candidates elected inasmuch as. didates should be discarded because their names were not on the ticket ac- cording to the requirements of the statute This decision holds until set aside by a judicial decree and it is understood that Messrs. Osborn and Holman, the Republican candidates, will not appeal to the courts The As sessors-elect are Michael Connery, J. L. Blackman and Joseph Sullivan.
 The attempt of Legrand Baldwin, the bonds of matrimony has been at tended with tribulations. His first wife obtained a divorce after, as she claimed, he had tried to rid himself Of her by submerging her head in brook About two weeks ago he took
 
 gie Sweeney, white. Then he drew s75 from the bank and gave it to her that she might provide herself with suitable wedding outfit. She went forth ostensibly on this mission and did not return. The next development was the fatal shooting of the horse of George Poyse, a white neighbor of Baldwin of whom the latter was jeal- ous Suspicion pointed an accusing finger at Baldwin as the slayer of the horse. the main evidence against him being the finding of his gun beside the animals carcass. Poyse hastened to lodge a complaint before a grand juror but before anything further could be done Baldwin had disappear ed He and Maggie are still missing.
 The town is a gainer by S100 through the honesty of Miss Abbe Sanford She held three of the towns notes, one for $500 and two for $100 each. These recently became due or overdue and ara ngements for renewal being made the treasurer combined the amounts in a new note for s7OO. On receiving it Miss Sanford informed him that 9 mistake had occurred az one of the SLIGO notes had been paid.
 The new road to he built by Com rnodore Luttgen at the east of Sunset Hill highway across land owned by himself and l.. O. Peck will not be re- st.icted to their use althoUch its pur- rose is to serve their convenience It