The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-08-18
Senator Mcneil Makes
Statement Urging All
Voters to Sign for Com
pulsory Submission of
100000 Bond Issues.

Like dew to a parched and thirsty
land came the Farmer petitions for
a referendum vote upon the proposed
bond issue, which reach almost $780,
ed with coupons signed by voters who
wish to affirm the principle that there
shall be no more bonded indebtedness
without the consent of the people.
At 8 o'clock this afternoon some 300
petition had been received in the Far
mer editorial rooms. each blank prop
erly filled and signed with the name
number.
During the day many persons called
at the office and asked for forms Of
petition that they might circulate the
same among their friends, or CO.
workers.
The telephone bell changed frequent.
ly at the behest Of men who wanted
the little petitions and no fewer than
half dosen owners of Bridgeport
among their men, who had anxiously
enquired If an opportunity to sign
would be given to them.
Some few persons sent individual
petitions to Town Clerk William
sThonfas. The prop, place to send the
petitions, is to the editorial rooms
of The Farmer. They must be check
ed and verified upon the voting lists
before they are ready to be filed with
the town clerk.
One interested voter secured fndi-
vidual petitions, which he circulated
upon a trolley car going to his home
and upon another returning from
-: IN, aoI,@ ~
eagerly signed, with the exception of
one person, who declared that he was
not quite sure whether the people Of
Bridgeport are quite competent to say
whether they will go into debt or not.
At city hall the petitions were gen.
orally welcome. And pretty much the
entire official staff of the city sign
ed for the vote. The Common Coun-
ell voted in favor of referendum,
some months ago. The aldermen are
much rejoiced over the success OF
their efforts.
The first Individual petition to reach
the Farmer editorial rooms was that
of Michael J. O'Connell 236 Crescent
avenue. Senator Archibald Mcneil,
Jr.. was the second man to sign.
Senator Archibald Mcneil, who has
led the fight for referendum laws, in
the Legislature, said today, relative to
the referendum on the Bridgeport
bonding bills:
s'This as understand 1t, is the first
time that the voters of Bridgeport
have been consulted as to whether
large debt should be imposed upon the
citv or not 1 am not an opponent
of bonding under proper circumstances
and for needed improvements. But
since a bond Is a mortgage upon the
property of the inhabitants of city
as well as upon the municipal prop
r naOn1Q GhOll6
be consulted.
''The present bonding bills are five
in number Some of them are merit
orious and the objects for which the
debt is to be created meet my ap-
proval, but 1 do not believe that my
even though I am tempor-
arily a member of the Senate, should
be inflicted upon the people Of Bridge
port, perhaps In opposition to their
bwn wills.
"Since the people must pay the bills
the people should be consulted about
the creation of the obligation, especial
ly when it is to reach a total ap-
preaching a million dollars.
"I favored in this matter automatic
reference. That is, that the proposed
bond issues should be submitted with
out a petition and as matter of
course. But the council had taken
the view that there ought not to be
expression of public demand. There |
fore the condition was attached that |
a petition should be signed by 10 per
cent. of the registered voters in Or
der to subject the bills to the peoples |
or veto.
These petitions must be filed with |
the town clerk within 80 days after |
the bills are approved
Il wish to urge upon my constituents |
and every voter the importance of |
signing one of these referen-
dunn petitions, so that the necessary
number of signatures may be had in |
time.
"The referendum contains one excel |
lent feature. 1t provides for submis-
sion at the regular election. The vot-
ers will not be subjected to the incon-
venience of special election, when |
purely to consider this question many
Of them would have to leave their
work at cOnsidera BILE expense