The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-24


 cards were sent out. he said, with the recipients urger to send the en- closed cards to Waterbury's state legislators. He received only 45, he said, urging him to vote for the referendum bill.
 $500 Citizens Opposed
 Reaching down to his desk, Sena- tor Culhane picked up long roll of paper, waved it dramatically, and shouted: Here's a petition, opposing this city manager bill, and 1t has $500 names. Gentlemen, I'm speak ing for $500 peaple of Waterbury against 45."
 Entering another phase of argu- ment, Senator Culhane charged that the bill had been made into a party issue by the Republicans. The Wa terbury Republican organization, had agreed to a referendum but specified that it be held this spring. Citing a state law which forbids the use of proportional ballots Senator Culhane said this was the first of many conflicts between the charter and the state constitution and statutes.
 He had been asked by Harold F White, president of the Good Gov ernment group, to support the city manager plan but told him, T can't 20 for it." said Senator Culhane "No government is any better than the people who administer 1t.
 His First Amendment
 Senator Culhane then offered his first amendment which provided that there be a referendum in Wa terbury within six weeks on the simple question, shall the city ol Waterbury be governed under the city manager form of government? The amendment further provided that if the city manager plan were approved, a commission of seven Waterbury men be appointed by the governor todraw up a city man. ager charter to be submitted to the General Assembly in 194l."
 "I'm still in favor of a referen- dunn on this matter" said Senator Culhane, but I believe it should be held early. I believe this proposed charter is not constitutional. Il would abolish the office Of toWr clerk would, make make the coun- cilmen into selectmen and make the constables non on-elective." Capitalize On Situation
 "This bill was introduced tc capitalize and take advantage Of an unfortunate situation that prevails in Waterbury. They figured the vot- CTS would be fooled at this time by any hocus-pocus. That's why the bili was presented in such a hurry
 q challenge any of the proponents of this bill to public debate, pro- vided they keep their professionals out of the state. (This reference ls to Julian Hearne, of Wheeling, w. Va, who served as consultant for the Good Government association.
 Strikes At Larkin
 "This challenge incudes their lob- byist, who has been running around this circle. think he has violated the laws of the state. He is prosecute ing in one of the courts (Mr I,arkin). If he does this lobbying without compensation it'll be the first thing he ever did without com pensation, let me tell you that. Us- ually he Hobbies for the Manufactur- CTS association"
 Senator John L. Sullivan of New Britain spoke briefly in favor of the amendment, saying that he Knew more from Senator Culhane's re- marks than from the whole city manager charter. "The cities and boroughs committee. he said, "has handled the whole thing like hot potato"
 Senator Egan Speaks
 Senator Egan said: T shall vote against any amendment proposed at this time. The purpose of the amendment is to beat the bill. l be- lieve that the people of Waterbury are entitled to vote on this charter" A roll-call vote on the amendment resulted in its defeat by margin of g to 8.
 Senator Culhane at once intro duced another amendment, which would strike out the election pro- visions of the proposed charter. These provisions are in violation ot the constitution, he said. Sen. Downes Protests Senator Joseph DowneS, Demo- cratic leader, entered the debate to remark that only nine more days of the legislative session were left and to suggest that discussion of the charter be limited.
 This suggestion was disputed by Senator Mccarthy, who declared that Senator Culhane had the right to talk as long as he wished on the bill. I'm against this amendment, he stated, but I'm also against any attempt at gag rule"
 The vote on the second amend ment, listed as Schedule B, was 15 to 6 against.
 Senator Sullivan then introduced an amendment striking out Sections 86 and 88 of the proposed charter. The sections, dealing with the city's right to incur obligations to meet the needs of ensuing years and to award contracts to be completed in ensuing years, were described as in conflict with a statute now in eff feet.
 Amendment Beaten
 Senator J. Howard Roberts, of Thomaston, spoke against the amendment. The vote was IS to against.
 Senator Culhane offered a fourth amendment, changing the special election provisions. This was de- feated, after brief argument, 13 to Is.
 The next amendment would have set down the referendum for June 20. In discussing this amendment Senator Culhane said that the | charter provided for the publication