Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-18

and express determination to make it clean. This impression Of New Lon- don has been circulated on the outside for years. and many who come to tho city really believe that what they had previously heard Of New London is absolutely true. and govern themselves accordingly.
 New London is a long distance from being perfect city, but it is no better nor no worse than many other cities. Still, there is plenty of room for work such as. Mir. McNally has frequently outlined, and he Is to be commended for his activity in his effort in cor- recting the general morals of the city. He ts certainly deserving of tho hearty support that is being given him not only by the members Of his church. but many who are enrolled in the membership of other churches. It does no harm Co agitate against wrong doing, for it surely tends to bring about a changed condition for the bet- ter. to a more or less degree. Rev. Mir. McNally surely has the courage of his convictions. and it is refreshing t0 hear local reform talk from a sincere source, freed from any bids for politi- cal effect.
 Mayor Armstrong has prepared and issued to the living eS-mayors and other prominent citizens a statement of the finances of the city, showing marked improvement during the three years of his administration. although his political enemies have consistently asserted that the Armstrong regime had been a pronounced failure. The may or has many bitter opponents who have belittled his administration at every opportunity. still there has not been a specific instance where the mayor could be charged with anything that tended to dishonesty. or even intent t0 advance his personal interests at the expense or detriment Co the city. In glittering generalities the mayor has been condemned by his jealous and bitter opponents. but they are puzzled to answer questions as to what the mayor has done that has not been for the best interests of the city
 It was this jealous feeling towaran the mayor that prevented the erection of new county and city building in New London. and now even those who were active in opposition. but favored the patching up of the old county structure. now begin to realize their mistake as the work of repair pro- gresscs. The preservation of the old kstructure gag Is now conceded to be a myth. for when the work is done there will be hardly vestige of the building that, many Supposed they were voting |
 The mayor has positively declined to give his approval of the repairs to be made on the city hall building. leaving that work for his predecessor. He considered the money to be spent on the county and city buildings q waste. that the amount to be expended in repairs was excessive and ill-ad- vesed. but that q new structure was required. The people would then have something up to date for their money.
 Those who were, before Mir. Arm strong became mayor, the strongest ad- vocates of new city and county building, were the very ones who were opposed to it when the time for definite action came. and all because credit might be given to the Armstrong ad- ministration.
 lt is said in a semi official way that the sum expended in the care Of the public streets for the past year is S12,000 less than In the previous year, and that the money has been well ex- pended is evidenced by the public statement Of ex-Mayor George F. Tink- CT, who Is qualified to give opinion, that the streets of New London were never in such good condition. Moro money. however, could have been ex- pended to good advantage, but it was not available. In order that even tho present condition of the streets bo maintained 1t will be necessary to have an appropriation fully as large as that of last year, and it is more than a mathematical problem to figure out how this can be done without an in- crease in the tax receipts. The finance committee of the court Of common council is busted in making up the budget Of appropriations and their rec concentrations are awaited with con- siderable interest.
 The police and the fire departments are asking for increase in the regular appropriations. which will probably be granted, and there will also be a call for special appropriations from these and other city departments. notably, the schools It win be explained that these are absolutely necessary and that the streets can be neglected for a year. as to make the customary ap- propriation for that purpose cannot be done without a tax increase. and who- ever would propose such a measure, or those voting for it would be simply subscribing to their political death var rant V
 However. the time for the equallza- ton of taxation, rather than increase. is not very far distant, for with the growing needs of the city and the con- sequent increase in expenses. without an Increase in the Income, means a radical change in the method of taxa tion. This has been done in other cities and can be done in New London by the increase of the taxable list. which would tend to lessen the tax rate. but still increase the revenue.
 There was ever, or in Pinaforcan terms "hardly ever' such a repressn- tative gathering of citizens as asem- bled at the Armstrong mansion, We'd nesday evening. as the guests of his honor. Mayor Benjamin l.. Armstrong. who gave a reception fin appreciation of the friendship manifested during hls administrator. which is soon to end It was purely an informal social furc- ton and the mayors guests numbered one hundred and thirty. There wsr8 present as ex-mayors of New London. Governor Thomas M Waller, Judge Ralph Wheeler of the superior court. George r. Tinker James P. Johnston. Cyrus c. Beckwith and M Wilson Dart. four Of them having been elected as democrats. and all the living cx~ mayors except Bryan r. Mahan who was not among the dignitarles present. Among the other distinguished gueais was oscar r. stanton. admiral United States navy. retired. Besides theac were nearly all the officers of the city. representatives Of the police and nre departments, men who he'd served In previous councils with Mayor Arm strong, besides men representing every walk of life. nearly. By the tact o1 (ccptinued on Page Teal