Norwich bulletin., 1909-04-24
FIGHT TO HAVE COURTS
 ALL HELD IN NORWICH.
Exciting Times in Last Century Be- tween This City and New London.


 
 One hundred and twenty-five years ago this spring the court house which stands at the head of State street was in the process of construction, writes R. B. Wall in the New London Day. The frame which Mayor Law expected down in -four weeks" probably came from Lebanon. that town. being notable for growing the best timber In the state.
 Joseph Colts Gift.
 After the removal of the school house it was found that more room for the proposed newa court house a native of New Londot an a resi- dent of Norwich. where he was en- gagged in business, supplied what was required. Mir. Colt signihed his will ingness to contribute on the back of the vote which the committee had mailed to the county court. It was dated at Norwich April g, 17S4. and read:
 T am willing to give as much land adjoining the spot within mentioned for the purpose within mentioned, as my son Joshua shall judge necessary.
 "J. corr"
 Joshua Colt, son of Joseph Colt of Norwich. lived in New London.
 The scheme , hold all the courts of the county ,.n Norwich in 1S43 was the subject of conversation in New London for many years after the plan had failed to carry. In Stonington they argued that 1t was childish to be run ming backward and forward with the courts. Let Norwich have them all and take out the prisoners in the county jatil of New London and put them in the pail at Norwich. Time and u1Opav pof4Id saved and fha general public would be better satis- fled. Why Stonington shou.l be so generous to Norwich is not explained by the old newspapers. What did the people of New London ever do to in- cur the displeasure of Stonington? Norwich got very much alive to the benefits that would accrue from the indulgent plea of stonington. and forthwith admonished her representa- tives to exercise all the influence they could muster to make the bill @ law. The men of New London scented dan ger and were resolved to kill the bill while it was yet in it's embryonic state.
 According to the newspaper reports at the time 1t remained for the demo- crats of New London to flight the plan of Stonington and blast the hopes | of Norwich, and they dld both. AL though men of both political parties 1 believed that Norwich had no tender feelings for New London yet whig and democrat stood apart when the com motion about the removal of the courts | began to occupy mems minds. The fight grew bitter and resulted in the following call:
 Would Divide the County. "The inhabitants of the town of | New London are requested to meet at | the courthouse on Wednesday, March | 29, at D. m., to act on the subject | of removing the courts from the town | of New London. now contemplated by | persons in Norwich" The meeting | was duly held and Coddington Billings, | Charles Douglass and A. c. Lippitt | were appointed 10 confer with other representatives ito keep the court house where 1t is with all our ancient | rights and privileges
 It would seem that New London or | at least the sense of that town meet | ing evinced a very uncharitable feel | ing toward Norwich by not wishing td | be in the same county with that city | Although New Londons wish to be l separated from Norwich countywise was not to be granted, it's desire to maintain a share of the courts was l conserved by the assembly. Stonington's project was foiled and | the hopes of Norwich to run the cUTn- | ty machinery alone and to reduce Eev | London to the condition or a borough ] in influence were crushed forever | Norwich was soon to make more un- | rest for her sister city. There was a | vacancy in the custom house and a man from the Rose of New England wanted the place and was very active | In looking up those who might say a | good word for him to the powers who could say yes or no The Peoples Advocate remarked on the matter as ! follows:
 "A Norwich man has the custom | house in view has he? We knew our l Norwich neighbors had been trying tl | carry off the courthouse and the jail l but we thought the custom house was safe enough. We'll the lighthouse is at their service whenever they con ! clude we have light enough without | it."
 To Carry Off Courthouse. The dullest man in New London | heard of the plans of Norwich to car | ry off his courthouse and expressed l himself as well as he could on such an audacious undertaking. Some timr l afterward many New London whigy wel;t to Norwich to take part in a po- | litical parade. Before the evening was | spent the courthouse matter came up | blows were struck, and for a while ! no one, not even in the name of Henry | Clay whom they expected Co elect l Dresident could make pp9cP