Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-23

out Vote Of Town--Question OF Dance
ing Discussed.
The town netting held in Column
selectmen, on Monday last. to see II
the town would vote TO employ an at
torney to bring action against the Sc
| lectmen to recover the amount paid
| out of the town treasury on their or
ders In payment OF fees OF attorneys
for the defendants in the ease Of Mrs.
Ethel Fox Blakeley VS.. J. n. Clarke
and II. P. Collins, members of the local
school board, was largely attended, in
fact, it was one Of the largest II not
| the largest, in the history of the town.
The action of the selectmen In pay
ing these bills without a vote OF the
| town had caused considerable comment
from the fact that the town was not
| named as a defendant in the case. ana
| therefore had no occasion TO employ
| an attorney. The general feeling
| throughout the town seemed to be,
| that although the town might be
willing to pay part or all Of the de-
/ PENDANTS expense in the case referred
/ to, provided they had acted legally
and without malice In the matter the
| bills should not have been paid until
the case was decided by the courts,
and that in paying these bills without
first bringing the matter before the
| town, the seleotmen used undue haste
! Attorney George e Human OF Will
mantle, who for some years has bsen
| town counsel was present and gave
somewhat lengthy talk relative to tn
duties and powers Of selectmen in masS
ters pertaining to the town and Of the
| liability OF the towns 70 defend the
acts Of their officials. He also stated
| that in paying these bills the select
men had acted upon his advice. II 10
thought that the remarks of Mr.. Hin
I ma ta.1 IN HHn
with the voters had Il not been for tho
fact that he was one OF the attorneys
for the defendants in the case referred
! to and the party in whose favor one
Of the orders was drawn. and there
fore an interested party. An opinion
by a prominent attorney in this coun-
ty was also presented to the meeting,
stating that as the town was not sued
or mentioned as a defendant In the
/ case, and as the case was stu IN the
courts. the town could be held legally
bound to pay attorney fees.
Selsetmen Responsible.
After some discussion, a motion WIS
made and passed by a large majority,
! holding the selectmen responsible for
the amount paid from the town tras-
ury on their order for attorney fee.
unless the town at its next annual
town meeting should vote to pay said
bills and instructing them to pay no
further bills pertaining to said case
unless instructed to do so by vote o.
the town. The amount paid by the Sc
lectmen for fees Of attorneys Is a Attle
less than S240. This 10 considered O.
| square deal TO both the selectmen and
the town, as the case Is Etill in the
courts and not yet decided, and rs
there is a difference of opinion regard
ing the liability OF the town to pay
| such bills; the town was not IN po-
sition to vote intelligently on the mat
ter. The voters were not prepared 70
vote to prosecute the selectmen, or to
sanction their acts at Mondays meet
ing, but when the case is ended, and
further counsel Is taken regarding the
liability Of the town to pay the bills
in question they will be much better
prepared to act intelligently In this
natter and there is no doubt but what
they VIII finally do the right thing.
Dancing in Town Hall Preferred.
After the business above referred to
had been finished the matter OF dane
ing in the town building was brought
forward. although no such clause war
in the warning. According to the con-
ditions accompanying MIS-. Mary y.
Yeomans gift Of $500 TO the town as
a fund to perpetuauy keep the town
building In repair, which was accepted
by the town, dancing or its equivalent
! Is forbidden in the hall: and n Cua
terms OF the gift are not complied with
| then the fund can be Withdrawn. Some
of the young people have violated this
condition at times much to the an
noyance Of the donor and others who
! appreciate the value of the gift and
what It means to the town. As much
! opposition to the gift, or rather the
conditions under which It was made
and accepted has been manifested
from time to time and as there seem
| ed to ba a determination on the part
Naa TAT
| was thought best to bring the matter
| before a full town meeting, when &C.
| could not be said that few votes had
| done this or that regarding the mat
/ ter, as il sometimes has been lntlmated.
! Well. the Introduction Of tho matter
was like stirring up 2 hornets nest but
! IL had the desired effect and brought
/ out the full opinion OF the voters "
| the town, as well as some pretty strong
remarks, and when motion was made
/ to instruct the janitor OF the building
not TO allow dancing, or It's equive-
/ lent, in the town building. In accord
ance with a former vote of the town,
| # brought out another series of point
ed remarks and when the chairman
| put the question Il was defeated by a
| large majority. II was a lively Skin
mish. but it cleared the atmosphere OF
| all doubt as to how the voters stood
| in the matter and showed that a large
/
| Of $500 than live up 10 the conditions
under which It was given.
Notes.
| The many friends Of Clinton z. Lit
! tie, formerly of this place. but now %
/ New York city congratulate him on
| his recent marriage and wish him
many happy years.
The annual installation OF officers
Of the local grange took place Monday
| evening The installation Was per-
formed by Sister Hyde OF Brooklyn
and there was a large attendance.
| The principal officers are: George
| H. Champlin master; Raymond
Clarke. overseer; William II. Bliss.
! lecturer; Miss Amelia ]. Fuller. sec
Rotary; Henry 3. Hutchins, treasurer.
The land and buildings owned by
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGlaulan. 10
Gated in Pine street. has been sold TO
/. Gold OF New York, possession 10 be
given May l. Mr.. AfcGlaulhn "a la
poor health and he and his wife expect
| TO go to eastern Pennsylvania tho