Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-27
THURSDAY, MARCH 81. 1873.
CITY Election.

On Monday, our citizens will be call
ed on to vote for City officers for the
year 1874.
A few words on this subject, may not at
this time, be Inappropriate. Since the
organization OF the City under its Charter,
the people have been generally satisfied
with the manner in which its government
has been admiuisterated. Business has
been good, the population has increased and
Ellsworth has been and is regarded as an
active aud growing city.
Its debt although considerable. does not
compare in magnitude with that of most
other cities, and its rate Of taSation is
consequently low. The expense of the
city government for the last four years
will we think be found considerably less
than the four preceding years. when under
a town organization. All this is well.
We gladly acknowledge it. and would
not cautiously or unreasonably complain
of omission OF duty or negligence of public
Interests.
Yet now, more than at any previous
time. it seems to us important that Tor the
future welfare of our city, great care and
prudence should be exercised in the selcc
ton of suitable men to manage our mu-
nicipal Affairs.
Questions affecting the interests Of al
most every taxpayer, will in all probabili-
ty arise the present political year. and their
selection will require sound judgment aud
prompt and intelligent action. Ellsworth,
perhaps more than any other Eastern city,
will be called on to determine the route OF
the proposed Railroad. And therefore
She should have cool, far-seeing men, who
in this regard, will make no mistake.
They should be men, whose character and
influence will be telt, whenever and wher-
ever they NAV be called on 10 act. An
unwise or extravagant measure carried
through this year, may be fatal to her
prosperity for years.
Again. the retiring government has just
made n radical change in our School Sys-
TEN. by the consolidation of the Districts.
This gives to the city. the whole control
and management of our schools, the build
ing of school houses and the expenditure
of school money.
Although we are favorable to this change
and believe ii will greatly add to the
efficiency and success of our schools, we
confess to fears as to the manner il will be
received by the people, unless our best men
Shall IN sarrffaa hat Of
their time and ability towards judiciously
and fairly testing the experiment.
Once more. twice the number of arrests
for drunkenness have been made during
the last year, than for any previous year.
Rum has held high carnival in onr midst.
The thoughtful citizen, who has the good
OF our city at heart must deeply lament It.
Ellsworth loses more than she thinks, by
suffering such an abuse to continue. Every
one knows that energetic, watchful, and
persistent effort will abate the evil. and
upon the future Executive officers of the
"ity- viii depend its increase or diminua-
Although the iw-77-1r rirv I've ,-vrr-
sdcred a party organ. we hesitate not to
say that the interests above alluded TO. are
at this time higher than any political con-
>iderations, and that in our opinion, if al
the approaching election the best men for
our city's welfare cannot be obtained with
III the ranks of the Republican party. then
let them be taken without it, ranks. AT
all hazard, let US have efficient, fearless.
honest men. instead of clever, time scry-
ing men.
III these suggestions shall meet the views
"i our citizens. we trust, that LAYING aside
private preferences and party affiliations.
they will confer together in their delibera-
tons and act for the greatest good of the
greatest number.
This can easily be done, and we hope
that in this matter, no exclusivcncss nor
prescription will be shown, but only a
hearty determination to act solely for the
future good OF Ellsworth.