Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-16

protection of the Pequot section. but
when on fire duty places itself under
the direct control of the officers of the
regular fire department.
The action of the Pequotters in this
respect is worthy of emulation by the
residence of the fashionable and more
populous Northwest, who have organ
lied a fire company, and seek aid from
the present appropriation which is
barely sufficient. for the regular COM
panies' maintenance. This Northwest
company is forcing itself as part of
the regular department, although no
city provision has been made for its
maintenance.
Just at this time, when SO much
interest is manifested in the old court
house preservation, it may be of some
interest to read what Miss Frances
Caulkins wrote of it in her history of
New London, published nearly fifty
years ago:
THE old courthouse at the head of
State street is a wooden building, I'M
graceful, commonplace and generally
regarded as an unsightly blot. dishg
uring the neighborhood where it
stands. yet as a stately relic of a for
mer age. still doing service, it main
tains it's responsibility and is regard
ed with interest. The situation is ad-
mirable 1t stands on a rocky plat
form fronting the east, looking down
State street to the river, and, when
the trees will permit over upon Grot-
on Heights and at the time of it's
erection was considered magnificent
edifice. Travellers noticed it in their
diaries, as an evidence OF public spir
ii and improving taste. 1t seems to
stand on the frontier of the town as
a guard and guardian in that direc-
A.. H. -.
Hollow Lot. which in winter became a
| skating pond, lay behind it and the
high grounds to the westward, now
threaded by populous streets. or smil-
ing with cultivation, were but rugged
pastures or dense woodlands. The
character of the Hollow Lot has been
entirely changed since 1910. The rocks
have been dug out or sunk, the gull
leys filled, the brook arched over and
a group of large locust trees removed
to make way for Cottage street, which
has been opened upon its western Dor
der"
Evidently in anticipation of special
city meeting action in opposition to
the proposed new city and county
building, Mayor Armstrong called a
special meeting of the court of COM
mon council, Tuesday evening. on
three hours notice and rushed
through a vote authorizing the issu-
ance and sale of 100000 in coupon
bonds, of the denomination Of $1,000
each and to be denominated as munic-
pal building bonds. These bonds were
authorized by act of the legislature
May IL, 1905, and approved in city
meeting December :. 1905.
In explanation, Mayor Armstrong
said he had called the meeting at the
request of several members of the
council, and at the present there was
opportunity to market four per cent.
municipal bonds. The mayor said he
was cognizant of the fact that within
a week a clamor had been raised by
certain persons in advocacy of post
poning the construction of the new
building. and he reminded the mem
bers of the council that this matter
was first brought TO public attention
in December, 1904, and has been re-
peatedly approved by city meetings
and the local newspapers. The bond
issue has been approved in city meet
ing and there was no opposition to the
construction of the building. said the
mayor. until a certain city official
(meaning Mayor Mahan) began the
agitation to postpone, until another
mayor and council were in office. So
the real motive of opposition is ap-
parent.
Recently a number of men of stand
ing in the city have taken position,
said the mayor, that the construction
of the building should be- postponed
Some of these men are entirely sin
cere in their opinion and are infiu-
enced only by the desire to keep the
city's expenditures on an economical
basis. This change of heart comes
somewhat late, and there has been no
particular changes in the city since
the construction of the building was
first authorized by the legislature and
approved by the people, aud the grand
list is now much larger than in 1905
when the building was authorized and
many more people are employed than
in 1906.
Mayor Armstrong made another
short jab at ex-Mayor Mahan, when
he said that those who talk economy
when out of office and lavish eXpen-
diture when in, can hardly be depend
ed upon as advisers for the best in
terests of the city. In referring to the
talk of increased Indebtedness of the
city during the past few years, the
mayor emphasized that not one cent
of the increased bonded Indebtedness
originated with the present admins
tration. Since the city election in
October, 1906. the legislature has not
been asked a cents increase in bond
ed indebtedness, except to complete
work previously ordered by the people
in city meeting.