Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-13
NEW IONDON'S WARD SYSTEM
Regret that Prevails Expressed By Alderman Mner-Need Official Supervision of ElectIc Wnmg-Police and Other Matters.

Other Matters.
 Alderman Alton T. Miner at the meeting of the court of common council last week stated that he regretted that the ward system prevailed in New London, and the so say we all of us But just what prompted the saying is not quite plain as the words were uttered curing the debate on the proposition to deed to the state for terminal pur- poses the water front of Riverside park, to be used in connection with the state pier development, and just after remarks in opposition were made by Aldermen Grasan and Drea, MT. Mi1- ers associates from the birst ward. It certainly was not intended as an implication against the judgment of the other two aldermen, the only ones who openly opposed the proposition, which prevailed and will be decided in oity meeting, This ward system Was tive in the political life of the city. so he is in no way responsible for It's existence,
 Under the ward plan men have been elected to the council who would not stand the test if their election depend ca upon Ln6 NOt0 O1 lA6 WAOle Ctbys There have been men in the coun:l who have been as pliable as soft putty and who did not have sufficient stam- ina for independent action, but were led by the collar by whoever happened to be at the other end of the lea. Men who had no regard for the inter ests of the people, or any part thereJf. but were ever ready to serve their political master, and turn the grind stone to sharpen his tools and cut the tie that should bind. in order to make himself solid with corporations and for his personal advancement. Such conditions existed in the early days of the ward system and in con sequence some public service corpora tions are enjoying privileges that would not be tolerated in many other cities. There are men who have served in the city government without credit to themselves or the wards that they were supposed to properly represent and had little part in advancing the best interests of the city and the citizens thereof.
 Fortunately such condition does not exist in the present city government, which is composed of gentlemen of honor and integrity and who are evsr alert to see to 1t that all the citizens get a square deal on all matters in which they are interested. There is not a man among them that wears . collar. not one but has the courage of his convictions and has no fear in giving expression, not one but wno devotes himself to the advancement of the city and the protection of the cit izens. There are no putty men in the present court of common council, but men of brains and who act fearlessly in what they believe to be right and are not swayed by the influence Of any man, being fully competent to judge for themselves and act accordingly IL is well that this is so and the people have confidence in their representa- tives in the city government It was not always thus. It is therefore pre- stunned that when MT. Miner declared himself as against the ward system ho did not intend to cast reflection upon any of his associates in the present council. It may be that the ward sys- tenn will. like pure wine, improve with age.
 The destruction of the Montauk Avenue Baptist church by fire Thurs day morning, due to defective electric light wiring, is not the first of the kind in this city, and, perhaps, it is guard against fires of this nature in the future. Although it is known that it is impossible to have perfect pro- lection as no automatic or other mol ern safeguard is thoroughly reliable. any more than is any other piece of machinery, which is liable to fail, and at a time when fatality is liable tc result, or property loss. Ever since Mr. Jenny introduced the electric light ing system in New London, and that was some years ago, there has been no official supervision of electric wiring, whether for light or power, and 1t would seem as if the time had about arrived when all wiring should be subjected to rigid inspection. Fol years the city has had an inspector of plumbing and all work must be sub-
 tect to his inspection and satisfaction
 This is in the interest of public health and as a result the general sanitary conditions of the city are fully up to the standard of any other city in the state.
 The electric light and power linee them death and destruction to prop
 erty, and the element of danger could be decreased by close and thorough inspection by a competent official in- spector, clothed with authority equal to that of the plumbing inspector. In this connection just a little bit of at- tention ought to be given to the dan gerous conditions that the public streets are left after the laying of gag pipes, the work being done without city inspection. seems 70 me tnal some time ago there was a rule. iron clad in way. that parties digging the streets for such purpose were required to put the street back in as good shap pc as it was before the work was com
 menced. That rule while ignored has never been abrogated. Last winter gas main was laid across Ocean av- | enue from an intersecting street and today there is quite a gulley across the avenue at that point. Automobiles go bounding over this serious defect i in the highway and in several in 1 stances there has been narrow escape from damage and perhaps bodily in jury.
 One day this week a stranger driv. l ing an automobile who had no know1- edge of the defect came near dis aster. When the machine struck tht l gulley and bounded, the driver lost control of the steering wheel for 2 moment and but for his quick actor I in getting tight hold on the vince | the automobile would have crashed | into the curbing. In that event a suit | in damage might result and the city l would bs responsible. Therefore 1t Il l up to the city to see to 1t that the de 1 feet is refnedied and at the expense oi | the corporation that caused the de- 1 feet. There may be like defective 1 highways in other sections of the cit. l that should receive prompt attention