Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-06

There always and there always will be, some independent membef of the
 New London court of common council who will earn the sobriquet of the Watch Dog of the Treasury. At pres
 ent the mantle covers the shoulders of
 Alderman Carl J. Viets, who seems to
 be firmly of the opinion that the sal
 ary of the clerk to the board of as-
 sessors. $1,5O0 a year. is just $500 too
 much, and, better yet, in the opinion
 Of the alderman, the office should be
 abolished.
 This office was created less than five
 years ago during the preceding mu- nicipal administration and at that time
 it was generally understood that the
 office was to be filled by a member of
 that council. That was one of the
 reasons why the salary was fixed at
 $1,5O0, out of proportion to what is
 paid other city officials, when the ac-
 tual amount of service rendered is talk en into consideration.
 But it was not for the selected al- derman to pluck the plum from the political plant. Frederick C. Burrows 1nterposed and was elected to-the of fee. and served so satisfactorily that he was reelected by an increased ma Jorlty. But Fred doesn't happen to drill in the Armstrong; -Viets wing of the party; hence those tears. The majority of the people do not want Fred Burrows out of office. and so ih- dicated at the election last October.
 Alderman Viets does not make this move for economical reasons, this time, for, with the resolution to abol- ish the office of clerk to the board of assessors, was another resolution fixing the salaries of two members of the board of assessors at S750 each and the other at $900, he to give all his time to the duties of the office. in- cluding that now done by the clerk.
 Not content with these chances, AL derman Viets made a rap at Tax Col- lector Charles B. Douglass. who May or Armstrong and his council of a year ago threw out of office. but who was reelected by the present council MT. Viets would have the salary for that office fixed at s1,500. thereby les sening MT. Dougalss' income under the commission plan
 Action on MT. Viets' resolution was deferred until the next meeting, just to give the gentlemen time to consid- CT their fate. and to give him oppor- tunlty to withdraw, and save himself from humiliation. It is not an oD- perfume time to attempt to legislate Fred Burrows out of office, only four months after being elected for a term of four years.
 James Gaffney, after years of faith ful service, has at his own request, been placed on the police retired list and will be entitled to half-pay for the balance of his life. MT. Gaffney is the fourth policeman to be pleced on the retired list for long and honora- ble service, and all served with cred 1t in the civil war. The others retired are Lieut.. John White. Mho died soon after retirement. and Martin Cullen and John O'Brien 70
 Officer Gaffney enlisted in New Lon don Company A of the Tenth regi- ment infantry, in October. 1861. and has two bullet wounds as reminders oof southern battle fields He was wounded in the engagements at Roa- noke Island in February, 1862. and in November of the same year was wounded at the battle of Kingston. \. 1 C. He remained in the service. how ever, and participated in twenty-sev- en enga gements. and was mustered i put by reason of expiration of term l of service October :, 1864.
 There still remain two civil war | on the active list of the po- lice force. Capt. George Haven and7l Joseph Walter. The captain had | more military experience than any | man in the state At the outbreak of | the civil war he enlisted in the first | New London company F, Second fn- | ;antry, serving three months. He then enlisted. November 22 1861. in Com 1 0any c. First regiment, Connecticut