Norwich bulletin., 1911-06-02
Chairman TirrelI Speaks on Charter
and answered Many Questions Esssntials Of the
Proposed Change

In response to an invitation from ST.
Josephs Sodality ana Literary associa-
ton. Henry A. Tirrell, chairman of the
charter commission, spoke before a
gatnering Of fifty or more in the So
dality rooms on Thursday evening re-
garding the proposed charter.
He was presented by President NJ. j.
Coscoran and spoke for an hour and
a half, though part or the time was
occupied with the asking of questions
which Mr.. Tirrell answered
Government is a thing on which nee
pie disagree. said Mr.. Tirrel1, and it is
probable they will never agree on any
system OF government. but the better
government must be approached
through experience After referring 10
the appointment of the commission to
revise the charter, he stated that they
began by looking up the experiences Of
other cities where the proposed form
had been adopted. These were care
fully considered and there were a few
points which were put in to apply par
tieularly to Norwich, which. as every
other city, has its own problems
1t seems to be an undisputed fact
that the financial system would be be-
ter If there was one financial year for
all departments. The commission
worked on the principle that a city
government is a government of city
for the citizens of that city and not a
question of national affairs, a govern
ment on business principles rather
than on political lines.
City Government a Now Problem.
The government of cities by citizens
is practically new problem. In early
days of this country the town govern
ment prevailed: and 1T was an excellent
form until there became large settle
ments of people with complex aues-
tions, when the present form of city
government was adopted. In town
government all the citizens took an in
terest. When the city form came in
and the people named representatives
to look after such matters the average
citizen began to lose interest of af
fairs. and 1t was then the officials be-
gan to get careless. Itjs always easier
to spend someone else's money and
there has been much waste. The FIRE.
quent change of office because of par
ty control changing has caused much
inexperience among the city employees
AMI the cities have had to suffer.
Merit System.
1t is desired to start system 8
that when a man proves he can do the
work he should be retained in office.
Tt is actually being worked elsewhere
and in those places there is no desi.e
to return to the old form. and many
more places are considering adopting
the system.
The chief of police. as in the present
charter, cannot by the proposed charter
be put out of ONCE unless definite
charges are brought. This is simply
putting into the new charter what was
in the old. Regarding the chief of the
fire department, who has been retain
ed by both parties for number of
years it was believed by that action
that the people believe that his fitness
should keep him there. and the same
provision is mada for him. Concerning
these two departments, it is believed
they should be out of politics as much
as possible.
BY the new charter mayor and four
directors are planned for There will
be four departm ents, public utilities,
public works finance and public safe
ty. BY the new form there is the
chance of fixing the responsibility on
one man. and he cannot say that his
committee or party made him do
things. 1t provides for a government
under certain careful and defined in
structions, directing what must be
done and telling to whom the hea Is
are responsible. 1t is the merit or
business system.
Three Points.
Three cardinal points of 1t are that
the people have more power than they
do under the present charter. because
now a. man is elected to office until his
term ends. while the proposed charter
provides for the recall, and with that