The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-11-06
Newport City Mayor
Hits Old Guard Voters
Continued f~om Page ]

that the Hobbies" are esceW
admit that they are befogged with
remorse, regrets and avoldable
disappointment for not attending
the meeting.
There were not over 100 voters
at the meeting-but the Old
Guard was there in full strength
not more than seventy five of
them, but their tactial maneuvers
were omplete anG their assault
unhindered by any counter action
Victorious. At least temporar-
lily 50. Some say these same meas
ures will be up again or further
consideration at the annual City
meeting in March. But-will the
"Stay at Homes" ever, ever, have
such a lost chance again, to pluck
the plumage from the "Old
Guard"
In reporting the meeting
newspaper borrows from the
Scriptures and heads the news
Getty Has Real Passover Stunt.
Thinking that the Mayor might
find some solace-draw some com
fort-froin the merest hint of
spiritual, rather than secular and
sordid municipal affairs-the re-
porter called upon him recently
showed him the article in question
and asked him if he might have
anything to say with reference to
the outcome of said meeting-and
the sacred setting from which he
and his hobbies were fleeing.
"The Passover--Ghe Passover"
when | went to Sunday school -
that had reference to "The passing
of the destroying angel.
am neither that, nor, are the
measures within such an aSpersion.
The measures -. recommend are
creative rather than destructive
of good"
Let US for the moment inquire
into these three "Pet Hobbies" the
Mayor is riding so facetiously al
luded to by the local scribe, and eX
pose their "Destroying features"
G) The ballot system for electing
city otficials--in substitution for
the very uncertain and unsatisfac-
tory viva voice system? Can
there possibly be any more safe
and fairer method of voting for a
candidate for office than that eX-
emplified in the free and unhamp-
cred choice marked and folded up
in ballot and deposited in the
ballot box. Is there anything de-
structive and destroying of indi-
vidual expression in that if so,
every city of any Importance in the
United States should come to
Newport and learn how to vote.
GU "A betterment tax for street
Improvements, including drainage
and water main lines? Anything
destructive and destroying in such
d measure as that if so, progress
i've municipalities all over the land
employing this tax, and serving all
their citizens with approximate
equality whisper thls) should
come our way and note how we
pass the buck Oh these things.
g. water meters and the con-
troll of our water system? | believe
the adoption of water meters and
the conJrol of the water system
should be under the direction and
vote fthe citizen body as origin
ally stipulated in the water char
ter. To have taken this privilege
away from the voters and place
such broad authority in the hands
O fthe city council-without fair
notice to the voters of such a radi-
cal change. i believe was unwise
strategy and peversion OF PRIV
lege and justice, If my views seem
reasonable in this regard
vouchsafe more reason and less
strategy.
Regarding the outcome of the
meeting continued the Mayor
with anything but an uncontented
state of mind in evidence by the
smile released-". | am quite sat
isfied with the results so far-but
there will be greater and better
results to follow. This City will
surely adopt the ballot system Of
voting; and betterment tax
measure will as surely follow in
due course of time. Each of these
issues are found in the vanguard
of municipal progresS-and the
voters will demand recognition of
them on a little closer knowledge
of their merits. AS yet they are
unacquainted-the Mayor has sim
ply introduced the strangers to
each other. And the Introductory
period has not npened into the
larger sphere to follow. of mutual
appreciation. The problems affect
ing our water system will as sure
ly find a satisfactory solution. As
the system now stands, we have
neither uniformity in rules, rates
or service. This IS an intolerable
state of affairs and must have i'm
mediate attention.
Notwithstanding all these mum
icipal complexities, just pause and
analytic the attitude of the 100 cit
liens attending the recent special
meeting; citizens of standing and
ability; the political STRENGTH OF
the community land not how at
times, political disappointment ana
intrigue, yields in obeyance of the
common good of the community:
The faction opposing the Mayor
mot his hobbies all of them) -