Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-16
MINORITY CHAFES UNDER
ACTION OF MAJORITY
In Committee on New Towns and Pro-
bate Districts Which Rejected the
Ricketson Bill.
Especial to The Bulletin.l

Hartford, April 15.-The action of
the majority of the committee on new
towns and probate districts in voting
10 report unfavorably the Ricketson
petition to separate the town of Nor
witch is not gracefully accepted by the
leader of the minority. There was
report current in the capitol Thursday
that there was to be another meeting
Of the committee and effort made to
rescind the action. 1t was represented
that four of the members voted wrong
on the question, which was explained
that one of these four was to have
voted in favor of the proposition but
voted against, and the other three fol-
lowed him as the leader. This report
would indicate that the committee had
been fixed" but investigation revealed
that the report was groundless.
When Representative Henderson Of
Norwich, member of the committee,
heard this report. he Immediately in
terviewed the other members of the
committee who stood by him in his
contest against the proposition, and
they Informed him that they had made
no mistake in their vote and would
stand by that vote. Therefore, the
vote Of the committee will stand, pro-
vfded. of course, the legislators are
honorable men, and most of them are,
and absolutely above suspicion. An
unfavorable report of the committee
Is due in the house and if it is not
Forthcoming the Norwich representa-
ttves will ask the reason why
1t was limited that the majority re-
port would be held in committee as
long as possible. perhaps until it is
definitely decided whether a minority
report will be submitted in the house
where the petition for separation orig
mated, and, so it is understood at the
capitol, Mr.. Atwood of the Ponemah
Mills company will be consulted in this
matter.
Senator Thompson, who, with Sena-
tor Pierson, represents the upper
house on the committee, made declara-
ton that the committee action already
taken would not be changed and would
be supported in the senate. 1t is not
believed that the. majority report
would be rejected in the senate and a
minority report accepted, no matter
what pressure might be brought to
bring about such a result, with the
two representatives of the interested
town and nearly all the members of
the county recorded against the sep
aration and in favor of the majority
report.
1t is the height Of ridicule to ques-
ton the intelligence and honesty Of
the members Of the committee who
voted against the separation. They
are: Senator Thompson of Pomfret,
Senator Pierson Of Bristol, and Repre-
sentatives Henderson of Norwich, Allen
OF Litchf1cld, Chittenden Of Guilford
Woodward Of Sharon and Atchison Of
Sharon.
Those voting in favor Of separation
are Representatives Back of Killingly,
Yost of Vernon, Talmage of Prospect
and Revere Of North Bradford.
There were two absentees, Repre-
sentative Williamson Of Darien. who
was not in his seat at any of the hear
ings, and who is credited with SAYING
that he would vote with Harry and
Representative Basset of Ashford.
Even with these two voting in favor
| of separation. the majority vote would
still be against separation-7 to 6, the
joint committee being composed of Is
members.