Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-10
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

| would recommend to your careful con-
sideration the iull and able Report of the
5. 5. Committee. By the action of the
last City Government, the several School
Districts in the City have been consolida-
ted, as am advised. / would recon-
mend the resembling the order of CONSOLE
dating the districts, excepting a regards
Districts No. 3 and -. This would enable
those two districts to maintain an appren-
tice school during the Winter months, "a
recommended by the ;. ;. Committee
Though | would not object to a very liber-
al appropriation for Education. provided it
is probably expended. it is serious
question whether il would be wise TO be
supplied with a third more school money
than we have ever had before. when il will
be wasted in districts which have no suita-
bic place TO eNpend it. Would it not be
better to raise What the law requires, or
the same sum a. now, ard hereafter in
ere ase it, if satisfied that it is bringing
forth good fruit.
HIGH SCHOOL.
As the State offers bonus for the sup
port of High Schools. would recommend
an appropriation of $1,000 for this purpose.
$500 of which will be paid back by the
State.
1t is desirable that the s. ;. Committee
should not forget nor neglect the children
who 90 to school in the suburbs. on ac
count of the more advanced scholars of
the High School.
LIBRARY.
This instit ution i, worthy of your sup
port aud encouragement. In time it will
become an honor to the City. Give it a
generous gift.
HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES, SIDEWALKS AND
SEWERS.
In this City the Highways are among
the most important subjects which will
claim your attention. because they are Of
great extent. and require very large ex-
penditure. Ii seems To me that they
should be put in the charge OF one man.
who will give them his whole attention.
| OF course he must divide up the territory
| into districts. and appoint sub-agents to
work under his orders. He. however,
should be held responsible TO the City tor
hi faiihfulness. He should also employ
the laboring men in their own neighbor
hoods 10 work on the roads, thereby Civ
ing them an opportunity 10 pay their taxes.
The great mistake that has been made in
the past. has been patching OF the roads
when thorough rcpUtr was needed, and n
neglect to repair at proper time. This
has been especially the case in the City
A broken plank has caused a broken leg,
a broken leg has caused lawsuit, and a
lawsuit has plundered the Treasury OF
thousands of dollars.
With such soil as ours. and SO much
heavy teaming. there should be kept a con-
slant watch over our highways. and As
soon as a defect is discovered il should be
at once mended. For this purpose, the
City should purchase two good horses and
a dump-cart. and thus have them always
on hand for repairs. Most of the time the
City would have enough work. and if it
has not. the mills will need them, and in
the Fall tbeyGould be sold at an advance
/ As a measure of economy, | strongly urge
this proposition on your consideration. /
/ think well, also. OF a steam sione-crusher
I as the cheapest method TO obtain road ma
terial. but leave this to your better judy
! ments.
TAXATION.
4 Just and impartial valuation is the true
and proper basis for the assessment Of
taxes. and each citizen should bear just
/ proportion of the Municipal expenses.
1 based on such a valuation. | cannot think
! that the basis Of valuation adopted two
/ years ago, and which has been so generally
approved by the tax PAYERS. since thco.
will be changed by any Board OF Assessors
/ YOU may choose.
/ RAIL ROADS.
During the year this subject will most
| likely require your attention. Before final
/ action. it should be well considered. We
! must make no mistake as To the route to be
/ taken. Three routes are now proposed
/ Which will be most for the interest of this
! City TO select: The people, 80 far As ! am
/ informed. prefer Bucksport or Castine. both
/ of which are shorter than Bangor. Much
will depend on the amount of money put
up by the western towns in aid Of one OF
! the other road. Probably money to com
---.-S---- r'.'t I'ay u-r proportion OF
| this sum.
| CLOSE.
Having myself but little experience il.
! Municipal affairs. | will not seek 10 dis
! suise my wish for your aid. And a. frank
| ly offer my own cooperation for any
| measure you may be pleased TO suggest.
which shall be for the best interest OF the
/ City.