Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-24
MILLIONS for Defence. but not One Cent for
Tribute.

| tribute.
Editor Kenne5ec Journal:
| There have been times in the history of thi.
city when 1t has been extremely liberal to non.
resident capital seeking for profitable invest
ment, but such liberalty or prodigality has
been followed by long periods of short sighted
and mistaken notions of economy.
The manufactures of this city, requiring an
outlay of capital and making taxable proper
ty, and giving steady and remunerative en-
plOyment to men of family, are less to- day
than they were Is years ago, and the chances
are that they will be less in five wears than
now. Why, then. is it not the correct policy
for this city to guard with jealous care. and
| give every reasonable protection attainable
| through modern invention to these manufac-
tories! Twenty years ago the cities of New
England, with few exceptions were all on
the same equality as regarded protection
! against fire; but other cities have been pro-
| gressiye, and have taken advantage of the
| improvements of the last 20 years, and have
generally adopted the fire alarm system, the
| very best engines and other fire extnguish-
ing apparatus, and provided for an unfailing
water supply, and the result is only natural.
Capital is not afraid; it buys land, builds
mills, factories. warehouses, stores and rail-
roads, and great commercial prosperity
crowns the far-sighted community.
! Augusta has the name abroad of being old
| fogyish. but am inclined to think that the
reputation has been acquired through the
timidty and Indifference of our city fathers;
So far as my experience goes, the citizens and
! tax PAYERS are in favor of anything that prom
! ses to benefit Them if that anything is tang-
IL n,I no y.1 fun ynnrs un
| circulated petition and obtained the sigma
| lures of men representing at least 81, 000, 900
of taxable property in this city, for fire
alarm system; said petition stating the great
| need of something of the kind, its probable
cost, and asking the Mayor to give the subject
his earliest and earnest consideration. The pc
tition was handed to His Honor the Mayor,
with the request that it should be considered
/ at the next meeting of the city government,
and he said in substance that the city had
about all the load it could carry, but he
would give the measure his support. have
never heard that any action whatever was
taken on il. think it was laid on the table,
or perhaps under it.
| 1 simple and effective fire alarm telegraph
service is absolutely needed in this city; we
cannot aford to do without it. We need more
/ hydrants and reservoirs, better water system
generally; there is thousand times
as much water going to waste over
our magnificent water power as would
be needed to supply the most extrayagant
Holly water water works ever imagined
i, NAV be argued that that our present
water facilities are sufficient; | concede that
with our present ia .ilities of giving the alarm
| and location of the fire to the Department,
our water supply does sometimes hold out,
! and the same amount of water thrown on to
building five or ten minutes earlier might
have saved it from destruction, in which case
the supply would frequently be exhausted, so
really it NAV not make so much dlHerence
| after all. But there should be ample reser-
voirs in some locations where there are now
none within 1900 feet.
| have in nv mind a manufacturing com
panv that paws into the city treasury SIX or
! seven hundred dollars per year for taxes
they ask no subsidies. no gifts any way ou.
but they have right to demand anu eNPe,'
more and better facilities for the eNtingulsh-
inc of fires on their property; it costs Just
about so much every year TO run the DePar'-
mept and why not give it all the conveniences
noss;ble2 Ii will cost no more for running
axne,ses and the results will be far more
satisfactory to the citizens OF tins city
s,,n,,,;ttee of three men should be appointed
hv the city government to investigate TINS
matter and there should be no delay lime
Is money. do not think II advlsaoie 10 auoP'
any clap,rap. arms -length affair." on .ne
Ground of economy of first cost. few
hundred dollars more OF less shouiu "o'
cripple the affair on the start
thanks to the prosperity of the publishing
business in this city, and the consequent IN
creas. in the post office business. and the
lille and efficient manner the business mas
ha.p arranged and managed by the present
,,os,master. our mail Accommodation
ars NOT surpassed in the nlted
States TO-. dav, by any city; now go for the
Improvement of the fire DISTINGUISHING ap-
lnp, investigate. reconstruct. improve,
and We may drdr yet.
do not want to be misunderstood l am
finding no fault with the FIRE department me-, 81
ire members, or its management; oniy anu
III with the Hardness with which I'M
movements and additions to the method are
! allowed.
Augusta, Mar. 18th.