Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-26

Without success. Away back In the days when Bernard L. Lynch, who lost his life in attempting to save Meader Carroll from drowning at Pleasure Beach, was the city tax collector. he made q vigorous effort to collect the tax. All the delinquents were warned that if they did pay the tax on or be- fore specified date that their means would be printed in the local newspaper and that prosecution would follow. Collector Lynch did cause the publica- ton of the names. but there was not . solitary prosecution as he could not possibly pick out a few to hale before court, without being accused of favorit- ism or discrimination.
 He did add a few names to the list or taXpayers. but very few. From that less heroic efforts on the part of other tax collectors with like results. There fore the tax had to be paid to the state by regular appropriation from the city treasury and as this custom had gained foothold in many towns, this new law came into effect.
 The special tax collectors will have but one duty to perform and that will
 be the collection of this personal tax from every man from whom the tax is due, and they will be expected to perform that duty without fear or favor and will be so instructed upon receiving appointment.
 J. Torrinston Black, M. D., health of.
 ficer for the city of New London. at-
 tended the Rhode Island State Tuber-
 culosis exhibition in Westerly last
 week and now he Is actively advocat-
 ing some of the matters suggested by
 that exhibition, laying special stres.
 upon the sanitary drinking fountains
 and individual drinking cups for the
 pupils of the public schools. In this
 particular move the doctor should be nd he Slo aIe 1.- given 8 credit mark for giving to the newspapers for publication every idea
 that comes to his mind that tends to improve the public health. He kr9
 made of the formerly insigniflcaH4 position of health officer one of tho
 most prominent within the gift of the council and devotes practically all of
 his time to the duties of the office. Naturally efficient servica carries
 with it material increase in the ex-
 penses of conducting the office, but 8 little matter of that sort should not be seriously considered when the public health is better safeguarded. He is a
 model health officer and is always on his job.
 Of course In the conduct of any pub
 lie office, the officer is liable to do some little act that causes criticism and, in some instances with justification. The office work increased to such an ex- LeLI that tne n6alIn of1ceF required the services of a clerk and he appoint ed John c. Turner to the position. and the appointment received the unani-
 nous approval of the people, for Mir. Turner is & resident of New London and was well-qualiAed for the place. When MT. Turner was elected town clerk in the recent election there was of course a vacancy ln the cierlSship in the office of the health officer. That official concluded that @ female should succeed to the office and that she should be stenographer and type writer.
 The city is fortunate in having many young women competent to fiH just such a position and graduates from the
 New London Business college. Instead of selecting one of these young women for the office, the doctor selected his clerk among the residents of Norwich, and while she may be able to do tho work to the full satisfaction of the | health officer ons fully aa competent could have been selected from among | the daughters of resident taxps y,srs,
 and probably should have been espeo- | ially as her pay comes from the trsas-
 ury of the city Of New London. 1 When Doctor Black went to Norwich
 for a clerk hS gave the young lady
 stenographers and typfsts and the coI- l lege from which they graduated 8 black eye, so to speak. In justice to l the health committee of the court of 1 common council, under whose direo- 1 tion the health affairs of the city are supposed to be conducted. it should be known that the selection Of 8 olerTs was made without the knowledge or consent of all the members of that committee