Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-17
ST. ANDREWS MEN HEAE
MERITS DE PROPOSED CHA

e@AS-~A ~ otSAAA VI llAC 5ldIcs |
ST. ANDREWS MEN HEAR
MERITS OF PROPOSED CHATTER
1 suppose you are all wondering where
the colored gentleman in the woodpile Is.
Well, so far we know. there is no col
ored gentleman, and there Is no wood
pile. We have done the best we could,
without fear or favor, said Corporation
Counsel Edwin w. Higgins in talk on
the new charter Tuesday night before the
Mems club Of St. Andrews church in
Greeneville. Mr.. Higgins and ex-Mayor
Timothy c. Murphy, both Of whom are
members of the commission which drew
up the proposed charter which is to be |
voted upon at the election in June, ex-
planned the provisions and the working |
plan of the charter to a fair sized gather
ing of the members Of the club. From |
sentiment gathered here and there. the J
provisions Of the new charter were ia |
vorably received by those who heard |
them explained by the corporation coun-
! sci and the ex-mayor.
The meeting was called to order about
| o'clock by Charles Irwin in the absence
| Of the president John W. Mckinley. who
| is recovering from recent operation at
the Backus hospital. six-oiece orches-
| ira furnished music during the evening
! The opening number on the program
/
ent after which George Hollingsworth
entertained with vocal solo. Mr.. Hig-
gins was then presented by Mr.. Irwin.
| After expressing regret at the absence
! of Mr.. Mckinley, who is member of the
| charter commission, Mr.. Higgins gave a
concise and clear cut explanation Of the
provisions of the proposed charter.
He said the charter Of city Is nothing
more or less than the constitution by
which city is governed city has no
power whatsoever, in and Of itself. he
said The city is merely an instrument
Of the state and gets all of its power
from the state.
It is nothing to our credit that so odd
years have gone by since We have had
revision of our cllattO.. -. H.rning Of
city is a pure business proposition. I
think that was in the mind of every man
on the charter commission in framing the
proposed charter. We looked at this
matter in a business way. In all our
meetings no mention was made OF repub-
> lican or democrat. While it isn't 100 per
cent. perfect, nothing is in this world, we
feel it is a great deal better than the
one We have now.
We speak OF this as a new charter AS
q. matter of fact a great deal Of the old
charter is included in the new charter
None of US were very rampant reforners.
We did believe that better government
! would result and considerable money be
saved if some changes were made.
Mr.. Higgins informed his audience that
II the charter is adopted in June the city
officials elected at the same time will
hold Office until Jan. LIST when they 20
out OF Office. Election day will then be
the first Monday in December instead of
June as at present.
The speaker called attention to the
] fact that the charter If adopted will
!, change the city's business year from May
Is to May Is, to the calendar year, Jan.
1st to Jan LIST.
Last night the city's books were bal.
: anced. 1t was the end OF the business
I year. The result is that the city will run
: from now until the taxes start to come In
. next October on borrowed money at in.
terest rates varying from to 6 pei
cent said Mr.. Higgins. He said that the
new charter will mean a saving of thou
o sands of dollars to the city.
t We said the time has come when tht
o taxpayers Of the city OF Norwich should
: know who is making appropriations anC
% what they are for. So we created w1a
% is called the board Of finance 1t will b,
Ia composed Of the mayor, the board of al
N dermen, the comptroller and four or nv,
u citizens appointed by the mayor. Thi
is board will sit together, will hold publ
~ hearings, will look at the needs OF tn
= city. they will draw up their budget
which will be published, and then vii
lay the tax
That is the way up-to-date busin IS
Il concerns do. Look at North Main stree,
Y I cast no reflection on any administra
n ton whatsoever. We patched and patch
le ed and spent money that was blown ava
70 the first windy day, and kept on doing Il
is Now we have the permanent street i'm
= provement. 1t was Just what was don
D. on Little Water street by Mayor Mu1
s. ply.
Y Mr.. Higgins explained the duties c
re the mayor under the proposed charte
is and how he will serve in an executiv
capacity with veto power. The commit
I'd tee on public safety came in for expls
Id nation. This COMMITTEES would includ
OF the duties of the police and fire commits
es sioners. which would be combined 20
bit the police commissioners SnG the fl
rs commissioners are all members Of ii
ne council. We do away with that "
Id call the council the board of alderme
and make them purely legislative bod
ty 1t isn't good thing to allow the san
he body that makes appropria4ions approx
On the expenditures and authorize paymen
lie Mr.. Higgins went on to tell Of the pr,
lie posed ward system by which the cit
of will be redivided into districts, each di
lis trict to elect it's own Representatives
p the board of aldermen. All districts w
n of course vote on the election of Il
he mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, etc,
Regarding the Office Of city clerk M
or Higgins said the new charter provid
n for a clerk who shall devote his emit
III time to the Office We haven't fixed Il
Ie- salaries of any officials. The settling
al the salaries rests with the board
ng finance, whoever they may be, II L
ne charter is adopted
us Commenting on the present chart,
"a "a the speaker said 1t is extremely difict
- to get at the provisions of the chart
~ owing to its numerous amendments T
mayor, when he assumes Office, should
- handed a copy Of the city charter,
- said. 1t would take truck to land I
:. ie present charter in the mayors Office, a
- the load would include numerous lar
~ and bulky volumes which would we
~, be searched to get at the amend7fien
RI During the course Of his talk \
is be criticized until those who would CT
ity lclze II nave read IT,
.er. Ex-Mayor Murphy Speaks.
Fly Harold Kramer entertained with
ave vocal selection at the close of the c.
of poraeion counsers talk, and after
de- singing Of popular songs the charm
in presented ex-Mayor Timothy C. Murpl
I awfully interested in this chart
ure said Mr.. Murphy. take an interest a
to pride in this city. I hope you all t.
an interest in the CITY. This charter Is
-ot- a charter for the short time have to
er- under It. 1t is for the children who
hat now in our schools. I don't know q