Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-11-29

fed with the workings of their new
charters. If You expect any new sys-
tenn with which everybody will be
pleased you will be greatly disappoint-
ed You can not only count upon the
opposition of the political Society of
Arts and Crafts, but upon the honest
hostility of those who prefer what has
been, however moss covered, to any
thing bearing new stamp: and per-
haps of some others. But if you have
got q good thing, it will stand the test
OF all this, and the test of time. If it
fails, provision is made in the new
charter for return to the old way.
Results Expected.
In spite of all complaints, the evi
dence is overwhelming that in the
nearly one hundred cities where SIM
liar charters are in force, no signs OF
general dissatisfaction ar shown, hut,
on the contrary, great approval. The
advocates of this charter fairly expect
the following results of it's adoption
and use:
participation by the citizens in mu-
nicipal affairs, especially in primary
elections
I'd. The comparative simplicity of
a charter which anyone can read
through in half an hour, in the place
OF long series of enactments requir-
ing the aid of good lawyer to I'M
derstand and which perhaps no two
lawyers would interpret alike; and in
the resulting simplicity of administra-
tive responsibility and OF the public
accounts.
Sd. The efficiency of administration
resulting from the clearly defined re-
sponsibiIity of all officers and depart
ments.
4th. The economies which should
be the necessary result of this re-
sponsibility.
9Th. Under the present system,
presidential politics seems to be the
dominant factor in city administration.
Our candidates for water superinten-
dent, cemetery keeper or any other
non-politicaI job, must be first a,
good" republican or good" demo- I
crat, and far away. second, men q
proved fitness for the place. No ON
can deny that this reduces by half tle
available candidates for any positioA,
and makes the position itself mfe
party spoil remotely connected with
real fitness. The disastrous results
of this policy are evidenced by the
intense diSSat distraction of the geperal
public with our present condition.
In closing, I wish to allude to- two
kinds of remarks L have heard Oh the
street. One man says: Our PRESENT
government is called q government by
commission. and if it is 1 am against
commission government" In answer
to that ! say that the spirit of the
present city government or any gov
eminent this city has had within a
generation is as near to the spirit of
this proposed charter and the form of
administration it would supply. as the
equs tor is to the pole, and no nearer.
Another says: Il take no interest
in this scheme at this time because
there is but one question in the minds
of the citizens of Norwich. and that is
an immediate supply of water
True enough fellow citizens, and
sad as it is true, but | assert as an
underlying truth of paramount i'm
portance that we have in this water
famine a most vivid object lesson of
the whitening influence upon munich
pal prosperity of the gangrene of pol
itics. Then let us start the remedy
here tonight.
Another Resolution.
General Aiken's remarks brought
forth much applause, after which John
Donovan offered a resolution which the
mayor said could not be presented at
that time, as there was one resolution
before the house.
John Fl. Powelson asked Mr.. Tirrell
regarding the new and old charters
Mr. Tirrell replying that 1t is provided
that whatever of the old charter which
is not covered by the new one will
be retained in the new instrument
This, Mr. Powelson thought, would
make it more cumbersome than before
Nicholas Tarrant also made a few
remarks.
Councilman John Barry thought
that there were many who are not
acquainted with the provisions Of the
charter and he believed the people
should have a chance to vote on it in
the June election. He didn't favor
any one going into Office for four years
though there are many features he
said he did favor. We all want the
best we can get, ne concluded.
Mr.. Tirrell explained that the rea-
son the commission did not ask to
have the matter referred to a ballot
at the city election was because it was
believed that the legislature would re-
Quire the city to vote upon IT, but ne
added that the commission would be
glad to amend the charter SO that the
city can vote on it.
While the others We're speaking. Mr..
Donovan had tried to say that this
was covered in his resolution, but at
this point he moved that his resolu-
ton be an amendment to the resolu-
ton introduced by General Aiken and
it was read as follows:
Resolver, That it be, and is, the sense
Of this meeting that q section be added
to the proposed new charter of the city
of Norwich, to be submitted to the next
general assembly, requiring that the
said proposed charter if passed by the
general assembly. be submitted to a
vote of the citizens of the said city Of
Norwich at the next annual city meet
ing, and that the said proposed charter
shall not become operative unless
adopted by a majority vote at said
annual city meeting.
Alderman Ely stated that he had
been an alderman part of one republi-
can administra tion and part of one
democratic administration and as the
result Of his experience under the
81 oh y+p Il NJ ai,,Ix ho
city could adopt the new charter any
too soon. The quicker the better, was
his opinion.
Action on the amendment was favor
able and it then came to the original
resolution as amended for action.
Speaking upon the charter. Amos A
Browning expressed the hope that il
might be taken up section by section
and asked if the commission did 40.
think the referendum clause should be
changed. but when it was explained
what change had been made bV the
committee ne considered the change
sufficient to allow the budget to be-
brought before a city meeting for their
action.
Boardnaan Tells of Bogus Half Dollar
Albert Boardman said he was OPP
posed to government by commission
as it is underaocratfc. 1t is autocratic
and another form Of the power OF the
few 10 force their will upon the many
Certain men want reins Of power and
he referred to Galveston which he said
had gotten along all right thus far. but
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