Norwich bulletin., 1909-08-21

Charles II. Rlinck, Thomas A. Scott,
p. Leroy Harwood Stephen ]. Downey.
NJ Wilson Dart, Alexander j.. Camp
bell. Frederick W. Mercer and Jere-
miah ID. Cronin. All capable and rep
resentatiye citizens and under pres
emit political conditions, nomination is
equivalent TO election, which. In part,
accounts for the many candidates. On
the democratic side there is not a SOL
itary active candidates. although &C
casional mention is made OF ex-Mayor
Bryan F. Mahan, who can have the
nomination If he wants II. IL he de-
cides not to enter. any other democrat
who desires can have the empty hon.
or.
II is not believed that the suggestion
to make the nomination OF the repub
lican candidate unanimous will prevail,
even If the democrats are a hopeless
minority. Rather than have such a
thing come to pass it is thought that
some dynd-in- he-wool democrat. just
for pity sake, will volunteer to accept
the nomination, even at personal sac
rifice. 1t may be all right to have
one party dominant by a large major
ity but for many reasons it is best
to have two political parties.
For several years the Pequot Inde-
/ pendent hose company, which is just
what its name signifies, so far as goes
support from the public funds, and is
| ever ready to respond for fire duty
subject to direct orders from the chief
engineer and assistants. This COM
pany has never knocked at the door
| of the court OF common council to be
admitted as a part of the regular de-
| partment. nor has the city authorities
been asked to support the organization
the same as the companies of the reg
ular department. No, no, and should
they ever do that there will be a
change in the name of the company.
The Pequots have built and own
\ their own fire house and equipped IL
complete for fire duty and social pleas
ure, and is therefore thoroughly indie
| pendent and is known as fire COM
pany, No. s.
There is another fire company known
as the Northwest Independent hose
company, No. 6, that since its forma-
ton desired admission to the regular
/ department. The council was petit
toned to that effect, but it was found
impossible as the appropriation for
the fire department would not warrant
the addition of another company. The
petitioners were persistent, however,
and they we're given permission to
occupy the house in Brainard street
/ that had been used as a storehouse
| for the fire department The city ex-
pended some money in repairs and the
company spent some more and quite
comfortable quarters was the result.
The city furnished fire apparatus,
ready for service, and the company
grew and prospered, and fills a needed
place and gave to the Northwest sec
ton improved fire protection. The
| self-sacrificing action of the members
was certainly commendable. but IL Is
still evident that it is their intention
to become a part of the regular de-
/ partment. They viii not only make
/ strenuous effort to have the appro-
priation for the. fire department in
creased so as to include the support
of the Northwest Independent Hose
company but to have the budget now
4 in preparation large enough to reim-
burse the company the amount that
has been paid out duf1ng the year.
This may be all proper, but shows
there is a distinction with a difference
between the two Independent fire COM
, panies in New London.
In connection with the preliminary
work for the new railroad bridge,
across the Thames river, which is to
| be 10 feet north of the present struc-
ture, representatives of railroad COM
pany are getting options on property
in East New London and especially in
| Sixth street. 1t is not believed there
will be- much haggling over the price,
especially If any of the property own
ers happened to own land taken for
| the present bridge approach nearly
twenty-five years ago.
Then the west side of Water street
| for nearly its entire length, the ends
| of John Douglass and Federal streets
I Toll urRA
| Main streets as well as In New Lon
don was taken over by the railroad
company and to the full satisfaction
| of all concerned. which was mainly
due to the frank, fair and honest
methods of Purchasing Agent Fiske,
who had the confidence and respect
of every person of whom he bought
property to be used as approach to the
railroad bridge and the necessary
change in trackage.
Mr.. Fiske, although ever guarding
the interests of the raj lroad company,
acted square in his conduct with the
4 land owners, and. as a result, con-
demnation proceedings were not re-
quired In a single instance. Mr. Fiske
placed a fair valuation on the proper
ties, and in some instances assisted In
! the removal OF some dwelling houses
to other sites, for the benefit Of for
mer owners. even after formal trans
fer of the property was made.
Naturally, some land owners were
opposed to parting with their prop
erty. but after a short talk with Mr..
Fiske, who explained the situation and
conditions. an amicable understanding
was reached. Mr.. Fiske was the
hhappy medium between the railroad
company and the people in his special
| line, and when he passed away the
railroad company lost a valued en-
ploye.
As election day nears, interest in the
nnayoralty contest increases. Not in
the past fifty years. that's sure, and
perhaps never. has there been so many
available and worthy citizens who
would accept the republican nomina-
ton, which means election. This is
commendable. in a way, for II shows
that really competent men are now
willing to serve their fellow citizens
and advance the best interests of the
city when 1t is known that II nominal
ed election is sure. Time was when
conditions were reversed and availa-
BILE candidates were almost as scarce
as cells feet. Then local politics were
4 n