Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-23

The New London Business Mems as
ISOLATION is certainly active, and It is
hoped will be effective in advancing the
best interests of the city. The organ
ization, or it's president, has enlarged
it's scope, even to the extent of form
ing itself into a tribunal for a disclos-
ure of the financial condition Of the
city, which could have been obtained
by a call at the treasurer's office. But
the president of the association, who
as an alderman opposed the sale of
bonds for the proposed municipal and
county building, and championed the
cause Of the M2han administration, of
which The was an important part, de-
creed otherwise.
In the name of the association, the
president summoned, or rather, invited,
by sealed and open letters certain per-
sons to appear at a public meeting,
and than and there to tell what they
knew of the city's finances and with
special reference to the sale of $780,,
600 in municipal building bonds, to
wit: City Treasurer Fitch l.. Com
stock, Corporation Counsel William ].
Brennan, Banker Walter Learned, and
members of the building committee.
And the invitation was accepted by
the gentlemen named to appear in the
Crocker house parlor as readily as
compulsory response would have been
made to superior court summons.
All were questioned and gave their
views in detail of the financial condi-
ton of the city, including the bond
issue. The result was satisfying to
the people as a whole for it was
shown beyond doubt that the city's
finances were In first-class shape and
that the price realized for the bonds
was even more than the expert finan-
ciers of the city expected. This was
in contradiction of statements made
recently that the city finances were of
low standard and that the city was
in no condition to take upon itself the
expense of two-thirds of a city and
county building. the cost of which is
not to exceed $4,000. It was shown
that the water works was an asset
sufficient to almost entirely offset the
City's Indebtedness.
EX-Gov. Thomas NJ. Waller and
George S. Palmer, park commission
ers, appeared as prosecutors, or + her
questiOners. and cross questioners of
the city treasurer and corporation
counsel, although there was no attempt
to cover up any of the citys transact
tions. Effort was-made to get a crock
at Mayor Armstrong through the city
treasurer but Mr.. Comstock proved
all responsibility for the financial
transactions in the treasurer's office.
Both Messrs. Waller and Palmer faV-
cred the preservation of the old court
house, the site selected for the new
building, and Mr.. Palmer openly de-
clared that he was opposed to the cree
ton of a rev county and city build
ing in New London at the present
time, but was in favor of spending
about 500 in repairs of the old court
house and the city hall.
The session lasted for three hours.
President Miner presiding. Although
no decision was announced, it was the
general verdict of those present that
there was no justification in the
claims that New London was on the
verge of bankruptcy. and that the city
was fully competent to assume its pro-
portiOnate cost of much needed build
ing that would also be an ornamental
credit TO the city.
1t is evident that some prominent
citizens consider George S. Palmer the
leader in aggressive movements i'm mu-
nicipal matters. After Mayor Arm
strong's so-called snap council meet
ing when it was voted to sell $780,
600 worth of bonds. as ordered in city
meeting. it was suggested by Repre-
sentative Wilton that the only way to
prevent the sale of the bonds was to
institute injunction proceedings. and
that such action must be taken imme-
diately. before last Monday the day of
sale. Mr.. Wilton said in public print
that Mr.. Palmer was the man to bring
the injunction. Mr.. Palmer was in
New York, and Mr.. Wilton expressed