The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-03-08
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

| The caucus on Tuesday evening of all
those opposed to our present wnstefil and
rx,ravOgant city government was the larg.
cs, and mos, determined TINT we have Mt.
tended here for years, and is bright proph.
ccy of what may I've done, if all those who
wish for an economical administration Of
Our affairs, if NIL those who are convinced
Of the present glaring abuses Of our city
government, will labor rs they should to
effect reform. The object was 10 present
such name to our people for their suffrage,
that all, irrespective OF party, should have
confidence in tho name, and William Her
~ was nominated unanimously for mayor,
receiving LIZ votes. Charles Walker. J..
N Anihoin, s. p. Adams, A. l.. Turner,
VIM. Andrews, 7. u. Cole, and Fred Drew
were chosen city committee for the en-
suing year.
That there is nm imperative demand for
a retrcnchmcnt in our enormous expenses,
is conclusive. Tint there is not tho least
sign Of such retrcnchment, if the same
set Of men who now manage our affairs,
still continue to vote our money awny, Is
equally conclusive. Our expenses have
l,een on the increase each year Of the pres
ent rule. Last year $4,000 were nppro-
priatcd for running expenses, and long ngo
thin appropriation was exhausted. Mean
while new debts are being daily contracted
which must at some time be paid although
n city council elected by the dominant par
" have become Disguised At tho frightinl
expenditures, aud have refused to make
further appropriations; since these new
contracts are oil approved by the commit.
tee on accounts. There II no reason to
suppose TINT our expenses will not have the
same rntio Of increase for the next year
which has marked the increase in 1906,
making for 1867, the enormous expendi-
lures for city expenses, without reducing
our debt one cent, 100000. $4,000 were
appropriated last March n reduction or
tie city debt. That should have icen paid
as soon AZ the money could have been COL
lecied, TO save tho interest; instead Of that
not cent hns been paid, and what Is more
not cent will be paid; for there is already
demand upon the council to transfer that
amount To the $75, 900 already appropriated.
Where that money has gone to we do not
know, and tho few who manage tho riiys
affairs evidently do not intend people shall
know for nm onler passed the common
council requesting the treasurer to report
tho amount Of moneys raised Ivy taxation
and bonds issued, and how much hal leen
paid OF, in each department for which mn
appropriation bad been made. The orler
went up to The board Of aldermen, and teas
defeated By he en,ting role Of he Mayor!
Why is ,his3 lf the accounts were nil
stmigln, anil If they dill not fear to have
the report nmle bciorc the election, lest
this wasteihl cx'rayugance should open the
eyes Of tho taxpayers, why not let the
people have the fguresl We do no, say
what they feared. but if our citizens want
any further evidence, they can whit I'a'ient-
ly ill called upon tn pay their burdensone
taxation. ...... .
There must l'e>a limit to this state Of
thugs somewhere. II il does not come
from reform measures, il will, nevertheless,
como at last, from the fac, That taxpayers
will seek other fields ior themselves, where
the Iaborcr's wages are not wn'ng from
him by spcnd,hrifis
E.r ra..----C H'7.