Putnam patriot., 1923-11-30

fftAAafAaaa CT HHEAA@AFG AHhEfeHN ID HfAF small towns. that is. of those whose grand lists do not exceed S3 500 GOO. But in the discussion views were ex- pressed which made the proceeding of interest tu each of the lg9 towns in the state. he proceedings were be- coming rather humdrum. and with a tendency t8 take on the tediousness which comes from repetition, when Dr. William L. Higgins. of Coventry. who has served ia the senate and in the house. and always with d ditinetion made the suggestion that to secure the equalization 0f grand lists t might be necessary to create an assessing commission for each of the counties CT to divide the state into assessing dis triefs. each district to consist of three % five or six towns with power vested in the district comm issi0uers Co make up che grand list of each town in the district. The suggestion was novel one. The effect ef the adoption would be an eucroackment. and 8 serious one too. on the autonomy of the towns of the state Bat the audience, repre- seutiug the local government of the small towns, showed by the apparent ly friendly manner in which they re- eeived the suggestion. that they did not take that view Of IT, To have the suggestion come from Dr. HigRinE, who has always been the champion of the small towns. was like the stab Of the weii-beloved BFutus. Dr. Higgins is always honest in his convictions and candid in giving expression to them He may not have appreciated the full significance of his suggestion. The carrying of it out would deprive the towns of the state of the power to attend to the assessment Of property.
 Small Towns Necessary
 T. would be unfortunate if the state should interfere with the local govern menf of towns so as Co leave nothing for local initiative or for official duty. That would mean the beginning of the end of small-town government in Con neeticnt. a sequel which would destroy a powerful stimulus for public energy in improvements and public interest in the affairs Of the people. When the people would have no power to exer- else they would recognize no duty to their communities. That would be q bad condition for the state. The towns and the state have existed together. each in its own sphere. acting for the development and improvement of the The success of the combination k shown in the magnifi-
 ent state of Connecticut. which is first among the well governed states of the Union. The town is the unit of our government in Connecticut. Towns existed in the territory that ls now Connecticut before there was q state government. either colonial or as a part of system of sovereign states. The statement If this necessity ol maintaining the autonomy of the towns s perfectly consistent With the acceptance bv the towns of state aid sueh as that for schools and roads. and of according to the state the right to see how its money is spent. But it would be going toe far Co take from towns the exclusive right to assess property in matters that are entirely local in their purpose. The present law gives the ofiiclals of the state am pie power to protect the state from the errors or peeuliarities of local as sessors. iu the appurtoning of state grants. The board of equalization has all the power necessary to change local grand lists and with the exercise Of this power nothing more IS needed to save the state from the defects in local conditions Many of the smaller towns are dwindliug in population and becoming poorer, but as governmental entities they should be continued. They cannot be continued if their ofii- cials have nothing Co do.