Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-03-06

defeliction OF duty against public Of
ffcials Il was the custom to assume
fun responsibility and not get under
cover OF an extract from an anony-
nous correspondence. so far as the
general public rs concerned, as seems
to be the rule today. That old-fash-
Toned newspaper fearlessness was not
the proper caper, however for Il Is
not adopted by some newspapers: the
ambush, or get-behind the other-fel-
low style is substituted; and perhaps
it's the better way, for It is certainly
the easiest for the newspaper.
1t used to be the custom, 10 rim
stance, II a police officer did not do his
duty, to report the fact 40 his superior
officer. If proper notice was not given
or complaint ignored, then and not till
then, was complaint to the newspaper
made in the form Of a letter to the ed
itor. Then that decrepit knight OF the
scissors and paste pot, and perhaps a
quill pen, would give the communlca-
tion consideration and decide whether
the subject matter was unbiased,
trustworthy ard proper to Trint. II
might take the old fossil a day or
two TO reach decision. for IL used to
be an old rule in newspaper work not
to print In a communication sent for
publication anything that would not be
printed as regular news II obtained In
the customary way. But that was the
old-fashioned way of doing newspa-
per work and therefore out of date
and would not be tolerated In news
papers OF today, !. e., somo newspa-
pers.
Although there have been about four
times as many fires in New London
in the past two years than in any pre-
vious years, the ratio being about 100
as against 80 a year. there has been
practically no increase In the cost OF
maintenance Of the fire department.
and the total losses were very light.
the only one Of consequence being the
Pequot house. This. of course, is due
to the efficiency OF the volunteer de-
partment, and the appropriation for
the department is only .0e0 a year.
Outside Of the larger cities, there is
no fire department that can eNpel the
New London fire fighters in efficiency,
and there is always an adequate num-
Der at all fires many more than would
report for service in a paid depart
ment. Still there are some people I'm
New London. for personal reasons who
are continually advocating a paid fire
II the present efficiency Is
maintained. however. II will be a long.
long time before the volunteer will be
discarded for paid fire department.
After being mustered out Of the SER
vice of the army Of the United States
for nearly AZ years Thomas NJ. Waller.
former governor Of Connecticut, is
to be mustered I'm as a member OF
Perkins Post, Grand Army OF the Re
public. The governor was among the
very first to respond 20 the call for
troops and was sergeant OF Company
L, Second regiment, Connecticut VOL
unteeSs, enlisting for term of three
months, He was discharged however,
by reason OF disability, deficient eye
sight. after five weeks service. AL
though wiling to serve the fun enlist
ment. he was mustered out and sent
home
The governor never felt very proud
over his war record, but through no
fault OF his own. yet he never would
consider invitations to become a mem
Der Of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
nc until recently, and finally yielded
to the wishes OF members
F'orty-seven years ago Governor
Waller was just blossoming out as a
lawyer and had gained local fame as
an actor and private tutor and was a
very popular young fellow. As soon as
the call came for troops TO defend the
union, young Waller was among the
very first to respond and In words OF
patriotic eloquence called upon the
young men to fan in and answer the
roll call. He left New London expect
ing to share the fate Of HIS comrades
on the battlefield. and Is therefore en-
titled to all credit. as HIS intentions
were as patriotic as any soldier who
ever shouldered a musket.
There are men in the Grand Army
fRnks right here in New London whose
Mar records are not superior To Gov
'ernor walters. There have baen ON
GERS of the post who never had a real
good look in upon an actual battle, by
reason of short service. or special de-
tail far removed from the scene OF
hostile action.
Governor Waller s. entitled 70 the
honor Of being Grand Army man. ard
the pity Is that he did not Become az
fliated with the organization years
ago, when in the youth and vigor OF
OF his manhood he could have honorcd
the organization by his membership
and receive the honor due him as one
who volunteered and was ready and
willing 10 risk his life in defense Of his
country.