Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-04-07

DER at the capitol at Hartford on the
proposed bill providing for the di-
vision Of the town Of Norwich in con-
tinuation of the big hearing of a week
ago, with this array of legal talent
present. Attorneys Tanning, Shields,
browning, Alcorn, Day and Wells for
those opposing. the bill and Henney
and Carpenter for those in favor of the
bill. While there was a large delega-
ton of representative Norwich citi-
gems present, the attendance was small
in comparison with that at the first
hearing, but none the less earnest and
enthusiastic.
Norwich Town Resident.
Wallace S. Allis was the first to be
called and stated in answer to ques-
tons by Mr. Tanning that he was a
resident Of the town of Norwich and
practiced law for 20 years and presi-
dent OF the Uncas bank for perhaps
eight years. He was state senator in
1901, when Preston, or part thereof,
was annexed to the town of Norwich.
Both town and city acted on the an
nexation before action was taken and
Judge Gardiner Greene was corporation
counsel. The officers of the city and
town opposed the annexation, as did
the senator and the representatives
from Norwich. Mr.. A1lis said that re-
Gently there was a fire at his home in
Norwich Town, about two miles out
side the city limits, and the Norwich
fire department came to the rescue, as
was done in other cases. He believed
the annexation would be to the detri-
ment of the whole town, except per-
haps Taftville. He believed Norwich
Town was much opposed to annexation
and many who signed in favor of sep
aration did SO as they did not believe
i'll consolidation. He did not think it
advisable for consolidation nor separa-
ton. He said in reply to a query from
Judge Henney that he-was a member
Of the state police commission. Mrs.
William c. Osgood told him she had
signed the petition for separation I'M
der a misapprehenSion ana Mrs. Black
man did the same. They live in Nor
witch Town. He read letters in proof
of the assertion. Mrs. Black1nan was a
former teacher in the Free Academy.
Contradictine Former Testimony.
Mr.. Tanning offered the printed rec
ords of the court of common council
of 1901, showing that the council was
opposed to the annexation of a part of
Preston to the town of Norwich. 1t
has been stated by Mr.. Atwood that
part of Preston was taken into Nor
witch without the consent of the people
OF Preston, and he also said the city
was seeking for new territory, when as
matter of fact the city was opposed
of Norwich objected to that annexa-
ton, and at the time debt of $4,000
was saddled upon Norwich. He wanted
note taken of the fact that Mr.. Atwood
had said the city was seeking new
territory to pay the expenses of the
city of Norwich. Mr.. Tanning said
further that at that time he was coun-
sci for the iowa Of Preston, but was
not instructed to favor annexation, but
to see that Preston was fairly treated
in the matter of bonded Indebtedness
Big Improvement in Town Schools.
Edward J. Graham, superintendent
Of the schools of the town of Nor
witch, former superintendent of the
Fairfield town schools, graduate OF
Hamilton college, and who had acted
six years as high school principal an6
niEe years as superintendent and II
Norwich for three years, testified thai
he came to Norwich just after the
school consolidation. He said the
buildings have been permanently re-
paired at an expense of $4,000 and {
great Improvement made in buildings
The Yantic school has been included
III the improvements. The witness
was questioned by Mr.. Browning, who
explained that this testimony was tt
contradict wrong statement made by
Mr. Williams. The teachers salaries
have been increased to the amount o.
about $4,000 in order to get them VI
to the standard. and in seven of ter
towns in the state the minimum salary
was about that of Norwich. There wert
Is districts and a variety of text book.
under the district system; now tex
books, studies, music, domestic science
and manual training are uniform.
Outside Schools Benefited.
Mr.. Graham said the schools out
side of the city district have beer
greatly benefited and improved. There
are 20 school buildings in the tow1
and IA in the city, and pupils all ovel
town are enjoying like privileges. Mr.
Graham road from the state report the
expenses three years before consoiida
ton, which compared with expendl
lures of 1914 showed an advantage IL
favor Of consolidation of saving il
expenses of about $4,000. Mr.. Graham
denied the statement made by Mr.
williams that the schools were bette
than at present under the old distric
system. 1t simply was not so. MI
Town and believed that separation
would be a mistake and he believed
the sentiment of the people was op
posed to the proposed separation.
Norwich Towns Vote in Evidence.
Mr. Browning stated that Mr.. viii
liams had testified that the city HAD
dragged the town into school consol
idation, and he put in record of tbs
vote taken in Norwich Town in favo,
of school consolidation by a large ma
| jority vote.
Public Sentiment Against Separation
Questioned by Mr.. Alcorn. A
Spaulding said he had served as Sc
lectman of the town Of Norwich ant
! is now clerk of the board OF selectmen
| The grand list is ST, 900, 600. Ponemal
| mills valuation was $4,000, 600. He ties
titled as to the debts OF the severa
school districts in the town. and othe
debts in the town and money expended
| on bridges and roads in the town. MI
Spaulding said he resided in the cit.
and 1t would be a mistake to separate
First he was for Norwich and to sep
| arate would be blow to both city an,
town. The Backus hospital, Rock Nool
home. the Sheiteting Arms and John
SON home are within the town. TIL
| two reservoirs are also in the tow
| district. Public sentiment Is strong
| ly opposed to separation. Mr.. Spauld
/ ing was opposed to annexation an
probably always will be. He said onl
irresponsible people favored annexa
ton. He heard Mr.. Atwood testif
! that he would not have endeavored t
get separation but for fear of annex
alton. He was strongly of the opiniol
that the people as a whole were op
posed to the proposed separation. TIL
| larger part Of the town money wa
paid for improving the roads in tn
section proposed to be separated.
First Seiectman LiIlibridse.
First selectman Albert W. Lilli
bridge was called and said he live
In tha Norwich Town section was