Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-04

ought to give US the right to advance
our clocks II we wanted to do so.
suggestion advanced by citizen in
the rear of the hall was that the town
meeting might adjourn and make this a
community meeting SO that everybody
present would have a chance to vote.
He did not offer this as a motion, so that
it was not entertained by the chair.
Suggestions About Voting.
Shouts for vote on the amendment
brought the meeting into action and
Chairman Pettis called for a viva voce
vote. The ayes and nays fairly ratified
the windows of the town hall with their
| stentorian shouts that could be heard
far out in the streets.
Amendment Lost.
Chairman Pettis decided that the
nays had it and and the amendment was
lost. mo doubt of that" interjected a
voice from one of the front seats.
| The vote on the resolution offered by
| Mr.. Vaughn was then called for after
Chairman Pettis had explained clearly
sev eral times the significance of the yea
and nay votes.
Once more there was a tremendous,
rolling and long-continued shout from
| both sides. The chairman was in doubt
and called for another vote. This time
he declared he was of the opinion that
the ayes had shouted the loudest, but II
this were doubted he should call for a
vote by passing from left to right of
the chair and by check list.
His opinion was promptly doubted and
preparations were made for taking the
vote after Chairman Pettis had warn
| ed the men and women to take their
time and not crowd.
Officer John ONeil was stationed al
| the desk to hold back the crowd. but
the jam was as bad as ever in approach
ing the desk as soon as the voting be-
gan at $50. 1t was $50 before the last
person had voted and the vote declared
closed. The last few votes cast APPARENT
ly settled the question, for at almost tbs
last minute five women rushed to the
front and put in their ballots. 1t could
be seen that they were all voting NO
Immediately following them, however
came seven or eight men Of whom the
majority voted Eyes" ballots.
Chairman Pettis nominated Tyler D
Guy and Cornelius ]. Downes as telleTl
and raised a laugh as he added to then
Mr.. Clapp and Mr.. Davis, who had ap
peared as the leaders Of the two sides OF
the question.
Effect Of the Vote
While the tellers were out counting tn
ballots, Chairman Pettis made state
ment of the nature Of the resolution up
on which the meeting had voted. This
he said, was a perfectly legal resolution
and was no attempt to nullify or set a
naught any state statute. The action o
this meeting would be simply the expires
sion Of the opinion of the people of Nor
witch in this meeting. 1t would have n
binding or legal force save so far ASH
expressed the public sentiment Of tn
majority in this meeting. Such as want
sd to follow it could do so and those VIII
did not want to follow it could do a
they pleased. Its sole intent and efPec
, was to register the majority opinion o
this meeting.
Announces Vote.
) 1t took the tellers As minutes to coun
the ballots and when they returned I
the hall at 1926, Town Clerk HoIbroo
read the result as follows:
Whole number of votes cast -. 1,19
Necessary for choice ....... SO
Nays ...-..-.....-..-. 99b
A great shout that shook the build
ing drowned out the last figure when tn
crowd heard that the motion had secuI
$ e the necessary number of votes.
Chairman Pettis declared the motto
carried and the meeting at once ad
joUrned.