Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-02
Daily Keuuebse 5ournal.
Augusta, Monday Morning, Mar. 2.
Our City Affairs.

ton of Mayor have been citizens of public
spirit, liberal and progressive ideas. care
full OF the best interests of the city, wisely
economical, honest. faithful to the trust
reposed in them. We need not mention
the names of the many distinguished citi-
zens who have performed the duties of
Mayor They are known to our people.
These in conjunction with other good
citizens in the board of aldermen and
in the common council. have managed
our city affairs. OF course this has not
been done without some fault finding
sometimes with and at other times with
out cause-but in the main the city has
been well and prudently governed, as
most of our citizens acknowledge.
1t is true that the city has debt. and a
city which has not one it would be diff
cul, 10 find in this State or any other But
the larger portion of our debt is that
which was occasloned by the "Sprague
purchase" amounting to S250,000, and
this debt was one voluntarily incurred by
our citizens in public mass meeting, after
due notice and thorough consideration and
discussion. The object aimed at in assum-
ing that debt was a noble one, and our
best men without regard to party Joined
in il neart and hand. hoping that it would
build up and benefit the city. But unex
pected misfortunes came to pOstpone-not
to blght--the purpose for which the city
entered into the 'Sprague purchase" No
blame can attach to our city officers for
this debt or DELAY. The citizens took the
responsibility. The city government only
followed their instructions and acted as
their agents
Without this debt the city liabilities
would be small for city OF the extent
and population Of this. For the balance
of the debt there are many improvements
TO show. many expenses incurred for pat
riotic purposes and to maintain public con-
veniences and appearances properly be-
longing to the capital of the State.
Within fifteen years the schools of this
city have been raised from a very
inferior position in rank, until they
stand at the present time unsurpassed
10y the schools of any other city in
the State New and fine build
ings have been erected. the best
teachers have been employed and while
additional expense has been incurred, the
children of all our citizens have an oppor-
tunitv, the poor as well as the rich to OBJ
tain educalions that will qualify them for
business pursuits and to hold places of
trust and responsibility. Our streets and
highways. numerous as they are and ex-
tended because of the 'arge area of our
territory, though not in such good condi-
ton as is desirable, still show many solid
and permanent improvements during the
last fifteen years. Our fire department dur
ing that time has been reorganized, with
new andimproved facilities and accommo-
dations. making itmuch more efficient than
formerly. So we might mention many 9TH
er improvements, most of which will occur
to our readers, that have called for money
from the treasury, and yet are profitable
and even indispensable to a municipality
such as this in these times.
But the New Age whose editor is not
. resident of this city, knows nothing of
its struggles, is not identified with its
interests, and writes entirely for selfish
and partizan purposes. accuses our rulers
in the past of corruption, dishonesty and
incompetencv. and undertakes to dictate
to Our people as to the government of the
city, and by misrepresentation and down
right talsehood to place his tools in con,
troll of our municipal affairs for the COM
ing year. We think our voters will show
at the election next Monday that they do
not approve of foreign dictation in their
city affairs. and particularly are not in
favor of that kind of management of our
streets and sidewalks that brings down
the censure of the legislature upon our
city, makes our city government the
laughing stock of the State and threat
ems the removal of the seat of govern
ment to some other locality. If this is
reform the less we have of it the better
for the public interest.
The statement of city expenditures pub
lished by Plaisted Morton a. Co.. only
comes down to Feb. I. Two days after
wards. at meeting of the board of alder
men, an order was passed rs follows:
Ordered, That the city treasurer be
authorized. with the advice and consent of
the mayor, to negotiate temporary loan not
exceeding THIRTEEN THOUSAND DOL
LARS, for time not exceeding nine months,
for the purpose of paying the annual ex-
penses eff the city, etc.
Thus it appears that instead of there
being any saving in city expenses this
year, the money appropriated is all gone.
and the city is obliged to borrow to pay
expenses.
If Mayor Whitehouse has, as the New
Age says, run our city government forty
thousand dollars less than last year. why
has he borrowed THIRTEEN THOU
y II