The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-25
IN VIEWPOINT FORM
 LEAGUE BRANCH
Hold Meeting In Villa Where Many Reforms Have Been
 Instituted.
Especial to The Farmer.)


 Newtown, Sept. 25-Thirty members of the recently formed Equal Suffrage league gathered at the country home of Mrs. Louise Gibson, Sandy Hook. Saturday afternoon. selected perma- nent officers of the organization, and outlined plan of campaign for fufthering the cause they have at heart. The meting was held in the Gibson villa which in it's past was the local nursery for many moral movez ments which have since become fixed American institutions. In abolition days it served as one of the way sta- tions of the underground trail for fugi- tive slaves, and later its owner was sponsor for the fraternity known as the "Wide-Awakes" at the opening of the Civil War. Recruiting the Boys in Blue locally from its ranks was another occurrence interwoven with it's history. With this historic setting 30 prominent mothers, wives and daughters of a later generation gath cred together yesterday and launched this movement.
 Mrs. Adela Irwin is the president, Mrs. Cora Pierce vice president, Mrs. John J. Northrop secretary, and Miss Kate Tibballs treasurer of the New town branch. Bi-monthly meetings will be held on Wednesday afternoons at the homes of members. Each woman has promised to be a commit tee of one to induce new members to join. To further the cause a public meeting was arranged for at Glover's s hall, Sandy Hook, at 8 o'clock Thurs I of xryIi inI1 inent speakers will be present.
 The warning for the annual town meeting, Monday. Oct. 2, is being drawn up by Town Clerk Oscor Pitz- schler and will be ready for the sigma lures of the selectmen Saturday. So far, 1t appears, the question of license will not be an issue although the sub- mission of the question of consolida- ton of schools will again be a feature of the call. Rev. Timothy J, Lee, pas- tor of the Congregational church, has given public notice of his intention tQ bring in the matter of finance board for action before the electorate. He has published the provisions of bill formulated by him, regulating the powers and limitations of this pro- posed board of finance, wlich\he hopes the town will approve for presenta- tion to the next general assembly. It has been the theme of much favorable discussion during the last few days and interest in the plan is growing daily. N
 There is a movement on foot in Sandy Hook to. celebrate the formal opening of the new concrete bridge across the Pootatuck stream next week by some fitting public exercise. Within the memory of men now living three other structures have occupied the spot. The first in the early !40's was contemporary with the coming of the large manufacturing concerns on the Pootatuck stream. It was rudely constructed and was replaced by. a wooden bridge which did duty till the late sos. The people of the second district vainly importuned the town to build a new bridge year after year. until finally their patience worn out they gave up the struggle. One night one span of the bridge went up in smoke and flame. "Providential." the Sandy Hook people averred. Mot so," the authorities in the Center maintain ed. Sleuths were brought to the Yil- lage, arrests were made. but nothing came of it. The bridge was repaired and did duty till the early 70's. In the meantime Sandy Hook voters grew to be political factor of importance. They elected William I. Sanford se- lectman. He won over one other se- lectman to his side. town meeting was called and a newiron bridge was ord cred for Sandy Hook It finished out the century and might have done for another. but For the advent of the lotion automobile truck. and the talk, ing over by the state of the construc- tion of all bridges on state roads un- der authority of the legislature in 1913. The new bridge is the joint project of the state and town and it is said to be good for 200 years