Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-24
PAY FOR MANSFIELD BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Act Approved Without Dissenting Vote
 in the House.


 There were minority and majority reports from the committee in the leg islature on the act paying the building committee for the Connecticut colony of epileptics which reads as follows:
 The following sums are appropriated to be paid to the persons hereinafter named, for services and expenses or the building committee of the board Of trustees of the Connecticut colony for epileptics in preparing plans and spe- ciications and employing architects and engineers for work upon the con- struction and equipment Of the Con- necticut colony for epileptics: To Zeo- ulon R. Robbins of Norwich, $1,lS0; 10 William P. Kelley of Killingly, $730; to John H. Mountain of Middletown, $500.
 When this matter was taken from the calendar Friday Mir. Peckham Of Windham, of the committee on claims, who had 1t under consideration, the majority favoring payment, spoke in favor of the passage of the bill. He explained that the men named had faithfully served as the building com mittee of the school at Mansfield and completed the work for less than the appropriation and ought to be paid for their services. He said that payment was favored by the legislature or 1s1o'
  MT. Back of Killingly said he had given the matter much of his personal consideration, as MT. Kelley Is neighbor, and he. knew of his honesty and capabilities, and he would not. ac- cept a cent from the state that was not his just due. Mir. Back said that two years ago this matter was acted favorably upon twice, once to correct minor error. The members of the building committee had charged $1O day for their services, which was req sonable for men of their caltbre. Mr Kelley made no charge for his ex- penses, while the others did, and prop erly, Governor Baldwin exercised his veto power on the ground that Messrs Robbins, Kelley and Mountain had been appointed trustees to serve with out pay. This they did as trustees, but their subsequent appointment as building committee did not prescribe l that they were to serve without pay. The committee consulted with the comptroller and the attorney general, as the committee without financial recompense, and they were advised to perform the duties of their appoint ment and that there was no doubt but | the legislature would recognize their claim as just and order it's payment. MT. Isbell of Naugatuck did not be- | lieve the state should be held responsi- | ble for the payment of the claim, un- der the circumstances, and said 1t meant the establishment of a bad precedent to pay claims of this nature against the state, for service which | was authorized by some state official without authority in the matter. He | said Governor Baldwin would not have | vetoed the legislative action to pay this | claim without good and sufficient req son. MT. Isbell said he could not un- derstand why men such as these | would go it blind on a measure like this and then expect pay from the | state.
 | MT. Taylor of Danbury said the du- | ties of the trustees were distinct from | those of the building committee, and l he believed the men ought to be paid | by the state for service rendered the state
 | MT. Hyde of Manchester, the house leader, stated that inasmuch as the comptroller and the attorney general had told the committeeman to go ahead | with the work, and that there was nc 1 doubt as to the ultimate payment, was | to his mind Justification sufficient for
 the passage of the bill as recommended | by majority of the committee, which provided for the payment of the claim
 MT. Brooks of Torrington said the | state had received the service and
 under the conditions, the committee | which had been appointed by the leg iSlature to do the work, ought to be
 paid by the state.
 The act, as approved by the majority | of the committee, was put upon its
 passage and adopted without a dis senting vote.