“I apologize for venturing to speak in this meeting,” he said.  “But if that gentleman’s question isn’t answered here and now in some way I’m afraid men will go away discouraged.  I have heard the same question, Mr. Converse, as I have traveled about the state lately.  I have thought about this matter constantly, in my poor fashion.  And because I went into that job of pondering with an open mind is the reason, perhaps, why a strange idea has come to me.  You know they say that strange notions are born out of ignorance.  The better way would have been, possibly, to submit the plan first of all to your legal mind, Mr. Converse.  I will keep silence now and confer with you, sir, if you think best.”  His tone was wistful.

“Talk it out in open meeting,” cried the cordial voice of Mr. Converse.  “Free speech and all of us taken into confidence—­that’s the spirit of this movement of ours!”

“Has it ever occurred to anybody to form a new municipality for water purposes only?  I have studied your state constitution, and the language in which the debt limit of five percent is provided I find applies strictly to towns and cities.  Suppose the citizens of Marion, together with the adjoining towns of Weston and Turner, all of them now served by the Consolidated, should unite simply as individuals for the common purpose of owning and operating their own water-plant—­form, say a water district?”

“An independent body politic and corporate?” It was Converse’s voice and it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment.

“I suppose that would be the legal name, sir.  Wouldn’t it be possible to organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other municipal responsibilities?  Then if we can elect the right men to our legislature we can go to the State House and ask for some legislation that will enable us to take over systems by the right of eminent domain, provide a plan of fair appraisal, give us a law which will make water-district bonds a legal investment for savings-banks.  In short, gentlemen, I repeat, this plan is nothing more than an organization of the desired territory and people into a new, distinct, and separate municipality for water purposes only, leaving all other forms of municipal government to pursue their accustomed functions precisely as though the district had not been organized.  That’s the idea as best I can state it in few words.”

There was a long period of silence.

Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the whole political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his brain of the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below.  That assemblage was staring wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law’s best-grounded man in the state.

“It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea,” stated Mr. Converse, at last.  “Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our statutes to back it up, it’s an inspiration.”

There was the ring of conviction in his tones.