The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-14

Mr. EDITOR: Allow me to say a few words
in regard to the much talked of action of May
or Walker in refusing to sign the appropriation
bill for the sum of SO, 500 to be used for cele-
brating the coming Fourth of July. The prin-
cipal reason given for his not doing SO, is that
the city cannot afford to spend its money for
such an object; also that it would be wrong
and inconsistent in him to sign the bill after
cutting down the policemen's salaries.
The reduction of the police pay was not only
wrong but unjust This fact then does not in
the least have any bearing on the proposed eel
ebration. The only question at issue is wheth-
er it is practicable to spend certain sum of
money for the purpose of drawing large num-
Der of strangers to our city, July 4th, or to al
low them to remain away and at the same
time force our own citizens to seek other places
where they can enjoy themselves on the birth
day of our country's National Independence,
and at the same time deprive our merchants of
the large amount of money that would neces-
sarily be spent here ON that day.
Again the Mayor claims that a trap was
sprung on the board of Aldermen at the last
meeting owing to the absence of the alderman
from ward 2. Otherwise, he should not have
been called upon to veto the bill.
The alderman from ward had agreed to
pair with the alderman from ward 6, and it is
generally known that the latter named alder
man would have voted for the appropriation
had he not been detained at home by illness;
hence, this argument falls to the ground. The
fact is that few property owners, fearful that
their bills would be a few cents more, have
brought their influence to bear upon his Honor
and persuaded him to withhold his signature
from the appropriations. The amount to be
used was to be charged to the contingent fund
and would in no wise have altered the rate of
taxation, while on the other hand it would
have been of great benefit to every business
man in our city, not only to the retail dealers
but also to the wholesale dealers and property
owners.
If business is good with the retailers, it neces-
sarily aids the wholesalers, and without
question, property owners would be benefited
by the means of prompt payments of rents,
&c. In the general dispersion of trade and
the increased circulation of money all trades,
persons and corporations are indirectly if not
directly benefited
1t certainly is momentous question wheth-
er it is or not the duty of our Mayor as Chief
Executive of our city officers, to study the in
terests of the masses to cater to the wishes of
few Five petitions containing the names
OF l53 OF our most prominent merchants were
presented to the Common Council at the last
meeting, praying for suitable appropriation
for the purpose of celebrating the coming
| Fourth of July. These petitions were passed
unanimously by the Councilmen, but were
never presented to the Aldermen by his Honor
| for their consideration. Does it not look at
| least unfair, to ignore the prayers of such men
| as were signers of these petitions? This weeks
| Transcript aptly remarks that it would be well
| to strike out the Fourth of July from the cal
endar, and to that would fervently say amen.
BUSINESS.