New Britain herald., 1914-11-21
SYs


 vision to be appointed by Mayor
 Quigley. It is a good thing to do
 and although it will not be the first
 time for the matter to be considered
 it may now stand better chance for
 adoption than before. It was difficult
 to select plan of consolidation that
 would meet with the approval of the
 voters. It was first planned to take
 in the water department, and to have
 but one taxing district and to change
 the ward lines but there was such
 strong objections to all these things
 that all were abandoned and the char ter, with the amendments since ap-
 proved, was adopted. The assessors used to be Tn favor of the one district plan and presumably are today, and on one occasion Chairman Burckhardt appeared before a committee on re- vision and urged the abolishment of the present arrangement and the sub- stitution of the one district. The late r. l.. Hungerfofrd opposed it on the ground that it would be negotiable and because the assessors were com pelled under the law to assess prop erty according to it's market value and tc do that under the conditions then existing would work an injustice to the outside property owners. What ever may have been the soundness of that contention then there is no reason for it now. If a fire was to break out in the first district at pres- ent the department would be able to
 make a quick response and if water was handy could render the same service it does in the second district and yet no property owner in the hp nrivi1aCo That is unfair on the face of it and the system should not continue any longer than is absolutely necessary. It would be desira ble to have the fact that certain property was not inn proved taken into consideration when levying the assessment and there would be no violation of the law in doing so. The tendency would be to enlarge the grand list and there can hardly be any opposition to that for the reason that the larger it is the better it would be for New Britain The assessors would see that there was no injustice done the outside prop erty owners and the change would give he city a better working system. The people on the outskirts claim, with much emphasis, that they now pay all they should and say they should not be asked to pay any more.
 If Ernest w. Christ let any one in on his intention to resign from the common council Wednesday evening they kept the fact pretty close to themselves, for the reading of the document caused great surprise. He has been a good member, fair and just: he differed from others at times but he unquestionably felt that he was doing the right thing. He sought all the information obtainable on every matter that came before the council and when he had it well in hand he was ready to discuss it intelligently and always did so. MT. Christ was one of the star debaters of the Y. M. c. A. and he carried all the skill he acquired there to the common coun- cil and was always at ease when he was upon his feet discussing city problem. It is not going to be an easy matter to fill his shoes. They will be filled, however, as those of O. F. Cur tis and E. N. Humphrey were filled There is no one indispensable now adays. not even the highest in the land. The sentiment in the council is that Councilman Warwick will suc- cced MT. Christ as alderman and as president pro tenn. He is a sensible member and can discuss a question l with commendable c1earness whenever he is pleased to participate in debate. | The members like him and they all re- ! gard him as sound in opinions and l excellent in judgment. He is very | attentive to his duties and this is a ! strong point in his favor Councilman l Parker is popularly supposed to be- l come the successor of Alderman Spit l Ter, resigned, and this will place him | n the eligible list for president pro | ,em, if he cares to make contest for l (. MT. Lawyer has often been spoken 1 of as a candidate for this honor but | le seems to have always been pitted | against the most popular member of | be council. Aldermen Jester, Ker- win and Shine are in the eligible list | hough the two latter are practically barred by reason of the fact that they Ire in the minority. Still there have been cases where democrats have been honored by a republican council. The rivalry, however, for president pro tenn Is not so strong as to cause thy breaks from the republican side is nominated by the republi- ans as Mr. Christ's successor will be ,1FeH the Itlll FepuDIcan vote and If | he democrats desire to show a real friendly spirit they will join in mak- ng the vote unanimous. It is not al- ways necessary nor desirable for the council to be split partywise when ] positions are to be filled
 The council acted wisely at Wednes- lay evenings meeting in refusing to r permit a four foot sidewalk to be for five foot one which lad been recommended by the board if public works. Some of the mem~ 'ers showed a disposition to be leni- mt about the matter, which was com