Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-22

The cornerstone for the new St. Joseph church will be laid one week from next Sunday with imposing cere- mony, making the fourth like Catholic ceremonial that has occurred in New London. The first was for the small wooden structure in Jay street and known at St. Johns church. and then came St. Patrick's church in Truman street Both these churches have been converted into private residences. About thirty years ago St. Mary's Star Of the Sea church edifice, large gran ite structure. and which was believed would be adequate for over half cen tury, was formally dedicated. But for several years it was evident that the edifice, large though it is, was too small for the accommodation of the in- creased Catholic population.
 About a year and half ago the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney decided to divide tue parish and Rev W. C. Fitz- simons was assigned to the new St. Joseph's parish. At first mass was held in the New London opera house and thel, in a temporary structure near the site of the new granite church now being erected. Father Fitzsimons in short order. after his appointal pur- chased the Church site in Montauk
 
 building, and also purchased com modious parsonage in Squires street and in the rear and adjoining the new church property. He has been untirina in his efforts to raise funds to carry on the expensive work and tine parish toners have heartily co-operared.
 The mayor and other city officials and all the Catholic societies of the city have been invited to the corner stone laying ceremonial, which will be conducted by Rt. Rev MOnsignor Syn nott who is acting as bishop of the diocese. Rev. Francis May a native New Londoner, and graduate of the graded and Bulkeley schools, will de- liver the sermon of the occasion. Fa- they May completed his education for the priesthood and was ordained abroad. By reason of his oratorical talent and special fitness he was as- signed to apostolic missionary work with home at Milford.
 So far as known, aside from the sol- diery and the Tierney Temperance Cadets, New London will not be rep resented in the big celebrati ton in Nor wich July 5-6. but that almost every inhabitant above the age of 15 will help Norwich celebrate seems assured, for already the big up-the-river event is the talk of the seaside city.
 Although Norwich will receive all credit for the celebration, New Lon- don will reap some of the benefits. as the hotel accommodations will not be ample to accomm 1date the multitude, and the overflow will naturally drift tc New London. Already the almost world d-renowned Governors Foot Guard have arranged to spend a part of Sat urday and all of Sunday in New Lon don and leave for Norwich Monday morning in time to take part in the tig parade as escort for Connecticuts governor. By that time the remodeled Mohican will be in full swing, which with the enlarged Crocker house and the smaller hotels, and the Griswold on the Groton shore, New London will be of great assistance to Norwich in fur nishing accommodations for the thou sands of visitors.
 There has not been an alarm of fire, whistle, bell or still, from April IA to May 19, inclusive. and so it is said a new record is established. While this fact may tend 10 discourage those who have contract to draw the apparatus to fires. at $10 per fire. and have spe- oial horses in readiness for that ser vice, it will be likely to please the committee of the court of common council in charge of fire departmental matters, including the appropriation.
 As it is impossible to tell just how many fires are to occur during the year the committee tries to set aside a sufficient portion of the appropria- tion to pay for the horse hire, and in order to do this there is a general shaving off here and there of things needed, until the last month in the fiscal year. when a fair estimate of fires can be estimated and the balance of the appropriation judiciously ex- pended.
 The present chairman of the fire de- partment committee, and who is as efficient as any of his predecessoT< and is familiar with the needs of the department, by reason of his long ex perience as member of the depart ment. is Alderman Richard M. Brock cit, a conductor on the New York. New Haven and Hartford railroad and at present in charge of the "scoot' train between Norwich and New London.
 The initial arrest was made in New London this week, when dealer was charged with the sale of liquor to an intoxicated person. The principal wit ness was brought from a cell in the jail and he failed to give the sort of evidence required to secure conviction. Judge Colt however. commended the action of Prosecutor Cronin in getting after this grade of law violators. It is a well known fact that there are saloons in New London where intoxi- cated men are served with drinks just so long as they can produce the cash to purchase. and no questions asked, and it is this class of customers and dealers that figure In the police court.
 There are few saloons in New Lon don not many. where it is impossible for an intoxicated man to buy a drink. no matter how profitable a customer he may be. It is not so very long ago when a well known city official per- fectly sober, with a friend from Nor wich, sauntered into Jap" O'Connell's saloon in Potter street and one of the best conducted in the city. The Nor wich man was partially intoxicated. Formal introduction was made and the New Londoner ordered the drinks, but "Jap" declined to serve to the man from Norwich, saying to the New Lon- doner:
 You're friend, I think, has drink enough, and it's against my principle to sell to any man who is intoxicated, or on the brink of intoxication. I don't like to offend you, but your friend can't get any drink in this place to- night"
 The New Londoner felt humiliated and with his friend departed and. when outside, the Norwich man. even though seven sheets to the wind, said:
 That Jap fellow is all right and sort of like his way of doing business. But, say, did you know he once kept a saloon in Norwich, near the city line, and that's where he got on to the style of selling booze to sober men only, for there is no precedent in your old whale town"