New Britain herald., 1915-03-03
CHARTER RENODELERS . WANT TWO ASSESSORS
Decide Not to Right About Face
 Because a Few CTitiCz6

After discussing the matter pro ant con, the charter revision committee last night decided to stand by its guns in the number of assessors anC voted not to reconsider it's action al a previous meeting when the number was placed at two. The committee went over it's recommendations care fully, but with the exception of ver- bal or technical changes let the amendments stand as they were. It was the last meeting of the body. Those present were Mayor Quig- ley, Judge B. F. Gaffney, Clerk E. H. Prior, ex-Mayor George M. Landers, Corporation Counsel J. F. Cooper, Thomas H. Kehoe, E. W. Christ and Severin Johnson.
 Tine City Court.
 Judge Cooper reported on the city court matter presenting tentative report, which, he said, was not satis- factory to himself or Judge, ,Gaffney, al sub- b-committee. ,t He believed a bet ter job could be done on it sbecause of, d fiuihber of, ineonsistencies.H < He wished it to be referred to Senator Gearga@ w. Klett for the purpose of perfecting it. Judge Cooper thought it would asBe a good idea to draw up new draft on some points and all low the lawyers in this city Ito shoot at it." He was inclined to think that Senator Klett and Judge J. T. Mes kill were deeply interested in the mat ter and could offer very valuable points in regard to it.
 It was the opinion of Judge Cooper and Judge Gaffney that the compen- sation of a judge of the city court should be commensurate with the hours hes would necessarily devote to the work i. Many cases involving small amounts are fought out at great length and a judge of the city court would sometimes sit all of an after noon on a case that involves an amount that seems ridiculously small. If man of Judge Meskills caliber, for instance, were selected for city court judge, the salary should be in keeping with his knowledge, acumen, temneram ment and general Judicial abil- ityI
 X The draft was referred to Senator Klett.
 Mr. Kehoe wanted to discuss the system of taxation by districts but MT. Prior rose to point of order and ~ said it was proposed sim ply to go over the amendments for verbal changes. Mr. Landers did not believe debate should be shut off. Mir. Humphrey agreed with MT. Prior and said that if sany changes are. desired
 th. a motion to reconsider should be made. He made this as a ruling, acting as chairman in the absence of Mayor Quigley, who had stepped out. Y The Board of Assessors.
 Regarding the number of assessors. two adopted by the committee, Mr. Landers believed it to be a radical change from the present plan. He believed there is a great difference of opinion in the public mind and many think there should be more than two assessors. MT. Landers said it was he who had the law changed 90 that assessors are appointed by the mayor although he would not oppose their election by the voters if the com
 mittee considered this a better plan.
 MT. Humphrey said Senator Klett was in favor of three appointive as- sessors.
 MT. Landers stated that he was not
 taking politics into consideration but
 he was in favor of three assessors. Judge Cooper remarked that it made little difference to him whethe1. there was one or twenty assessors so long as they were appointed by the mayor and one devoted all his time to the office.
 Mayor Quigley, MT. Christ and MT. Prior were of a like opinion and on motion of MT. Landers it was decided l to reconsider the previous action. It was then suggested that there be three assessors, one to be permanent. Tho initial appointments would be for one, l two and three years and thereafter 1 for three years. MT. Kehoe said that because a few l dozen people-more or Iess-wanted 1 three assessors he did not believe the 1 committee should back down from it's [ previous stand and he for one, was willing to stick to his guns.
 You'll find that the part time men ] will not do the work. believing that