Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-01-18

A Petition from this City has been pre-
sented to the Legislature, asking for an
amendment to the City Charter. which
changes the time of the annual election of
municipal officers, from the last Monday in
March to the first Monday in March. We
Learn that a remonstrance has since been
drawn aud numerously signed against the
proposed amendment.
\ change Of this nature should be fully
considered and the interests OF the city be
paramount 10 all other considerations. lii
a large portion of the cities of the State the
municipal elections are held on the first
Monday OF March. This is the time of Au-
burn, Lewiston. Portland, Gardiner. Hal
lowell and RGckland. On the second Mon
day of March Augusta. Bangor, Belfast
and Biddetord hold their elections. No
city except Ellsworth. we believe is so late
a the last Monday in March. Several
cities have changed the time, by an amend
ment of their charters in the manner now
proposed for this city. The reason urged
for the change,is that the new. government
should be able to get into efficient working
order a early N the season as practicable.
As early as the first of May, and even ear
ler it is important that the schools should
begin, SO as TO give them an average term
before the 4th of July. The roads al an
early day require the attention of the in
rnnnfnn ba Ia,
expenditure of few dollars often saves
hundreds later in the year. The'taxes
should be assessed and the tax-booS in the
hands Of the collector as early "a practical
BILE, so that there should be money to meet
the current expenses. Those who have
had experience in-the management of mu-
uicipai affairs are well aware that the in
tcrests OF the city have sometimes suffered
by the delays Incident to complete or
ganization. The same reasons, which have
led oiEer municipalities ia The State to APP
point au earlier day than the last Monday
in March for their election will hold good
in our own city. Ellsworth IS the sole city
in the State, behind time in this respect.
In opposition to the proposed change, ID
is said that many of the voters are absent
in the woods until the last OF March. and
if the change is made they will have no
voice in city affairs. The argument So
far a. II goes Is valid one and il is GER
tainly just, that each and every voter
should have a voice in the choice of officers
and the time selected for their election
should As far as possible accommodate all.
H. however the interests OF the whole city
then the argument in this respect. tails,
and the greatest good Of the greatest RYm
Der should govern.
In reply to this argument. the friends oil
the change say that fully an equal mum
Der of voters and by far the larger interest
as represented on the tax lists. are se,-
/ faring men whose business calls them from
the city before our annual meeting, and
thus their votes are lost. How this may
be in point of numbets We have not ascer-
tanned, but there Is undoubtedly much OF
truth in tie assertion. As we said in
Ihe beginning the good OF the city ought to
DC the first consideration. There seems 10
be, and we are sorry TO say tia disposition
to maze this political question, and II ev-
cry interest of Ellsworth is TO be subordi.
mated 10 the reckless views of partizan as.
pirants, then sooner or later bitter day
Of reckoning will come. Ii would seem
that long enough had our city suffered
from unwise. injudicious and ruinous meas
ures which have rolled up and are still rob
ling up a mountain load Of debt for some
body 10 bear through their life time.