Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-16

Finances.
give you briefly the standing of the c;tv,.
finances, az taken from the books of tho
treasurer. VI 'ne
LIABILITIES.
per cent bonds of 1864. as,o, M
SSPr pr. loan. per cent bonds. 2o9' sOo % %
Due 81 MALI Ha .o''' 5000 90
Que Lithgow Library, o n'0"o w
Temporary loans @o,VD w
Due school districts, $50 ~, w ~
'0o1pon''' 1928 80
Total liabilities sss7 1856 ~
RESOURCES.
Uncollected taxes, .,o.a -.
Cash on hand, $'o'1o9 90
Tax deeds 2,598 ~
Uncoliectsd ,axs. - ,0-s 1871 20
on same, ~. =.
Due from State for armory, z 81 20 20
Real estate, gravel bank, sn U ~ N,
0"1"'' 'o'S's]' 300 90
lo'ai' $24,s44 "a
Net amount of debt, A3lam,7o
VI course these figures do not include out
Standing bills against the city not vet pre-
scented. which hope will not exceed $4,000
and this sum, if correct, added to above paned
balance would give the exact standing of the
city at this time. Of the 5 per cent loan of 1864
S4loo OF 1t becomes due in July next, and
s'N"S" WIS 10 ioi RcT SUN tHan We nave DalQ
IN any one year, yet think we should make
an appropriation to meet this extra demand
and if possible save enough 10 some other
direction to offset this difference The bal
ance of this same loan, $4,000, natures in
July 1887. On February 18th. 1887, which
comes in the the present municipal year, the
Sprague bonds amounting to S202, 800 will
mature and upon us will devOlve the duty of
refunding this large loan. The last leg,la-
ture passed the following law for this pur-
pose: ITO meet its bonds now outstanding
and maturing in the year 1887 the city of Au-
gusta is authorized to issue bonds not ex-
cesding $206,200 in amount payable at a
period or periods not exceeding 30 years after
the date thereof and bearing interest at rate
not exceeding per cent per annum, payable
semi-arnually. Said bonds shall be issued
under the seal of the CITY and shall be signed
by the mayor and couutersigned by the city
treasurer" There can be but little doubt but
this loan can be refunded at less than per
cent and possibly at 81 per cent and this
believe we should try to do: and if successful
would make saving in our interest account
Of 5000 annually, and this amount if ap-
piled every year to the reduction of the prn-
cipal together with the usual sum raised
every year for this purpose, $4,000, would
enable us to rid ourselves of this great en-
debtedness which has been hanging over us
for so many years, and that without increas-
ing our rate of taxation. Any policy looking
to a perpetuation of this indebtedness, even
at low rate of interest | believe should not
be sanctioned by u.s.
Schools.
First of al the departments in Importance
are our public schools. First, because about
one fourth of our entire population are
scholars, and second. because we spend more
money annually in this department than n
any other. | feel sure you will agree with
me that we should relax none of our interest
in this matter of schools and we should see
to it that in our hands. their usefulness and
vigor are uDimpared. The right aud the
proper education of our youth is but the fit
ting of those who are to soon sue
coed us in the duties and responsibilities of
citizenship. OF the excellent standing of our
city High School as we'll as the schools in the
village and Williams district, shall say moth
ing. as their character is known and read of
all men. The reports of their directors will
soon be before you, and they need no COM
ment from me.
For long time it has been my belief, de-
rived from casual observation of the work
ing of the district 81 stem, as well as reading
OF the ANNUAL TcpOTt VI OuT oCuDOl supervisor,
that our schools located in the suburban dis
tricts were not up in efficiency to the stan
dard they should be in city with the wealth
and intelligence of Augusta In fact,I think
they are but little if any superior to the COM
mon schools of the backtOwns Now this
should not be. Our farmers are annually
paving into our city treasury larger amount
for taxes in proportion to their ability than
any other class in the community, and GER
tainly they are entitled to better school privl-
leges than they now enjoy. | think the SUI
pervisor will recommend the consolidation Of
some of the smaller districts this year and
ultimately the abolishng of the entire district
system, and this latter course, so far as the
rural schools are concerned, have no doubt
would be a wise one to pursue, but whether
the village and Williams districts, having ex-
pended large sums for school buildings, would
favor this change, am not so certain. AZ
understand it you have the power to abolish
the whole district system and substitute tor
it CITY control of all the schools by school
committee appointed by the city government
and responsible to it.
LithGow Library.
In connection with this subject of schools,
it seems proper to say word in relation TO
the LithgOw Library, which 80 well supple
ments school work. Under its present able
board of trustees it has gone on making add
tions to its volumes all the new and desirable
books published, and the number of our peo-
nile who have availed themselves of its privl-
ieges has been rapidly enlarging and the edu-
cational advantages of this noble institution
it is impossible to compute. The name OF
it's generous benefactor will be remembered
and cherished for long generations yet 10
come. But few years can at most elapse
until the library will have outgrown its pres
ent accommodations. and have often heard
the wish expressed that some of our public
spirited citizens would appreciate this want
and in answer to it make such response as
would give this grand lnstrumentality for
good such a permanent home as to entitle the
donor TO the lasting gratitude OF the cnltivat
ed people of Augusta for all time. During
the wear. the case Of executors of l.. w
Lith9ow's estate vs.. the city having been de-
cidej the executors have turned over to the
CITY the sum of $7532.38. and this amount
has been paid into the treasury OF the Libra
rv Association. and in addition to this sam
tbere has come into the hands OF the CITY
from the same source, the undivided half OF
large amount of real estate. mostly located
on the east side of the river in this CITY, Inns
property. when disposed of. also goes TO the
Library fund, and under an order OF the l.s,
city government the mayor. city sollcisor Anu
chairman of assessors were appointed com
mittee to sell any part of this real estate, anu
1900 worth has already been dlsposee o.