The Republican journal., 1886-02-25
For the Interests Of Belfast.

1t is perhaps hardly worth while to notice
the silly statement that the Journal is the or
gan of the preferred stockholders Those who
have read the paper have read it to little pur-
pose if they have not recognized its endeavors
to promote i'll every possible way the interests
of Belfast and the welfare of all its citizens.
You may say if you like that there is a selfish
motive behind this. There is, to this extent.
The more prosperous our city the more pros
porous we may reasonably expect the journal
to be. Even SO, we should only be sharers in a
about. III pursuance of this policy, distinctly
announced Sept. so, 1850, by the retiring editor
the late VIM. II. Simpson, when the paper
passed into its present hands, We have eXtend-
ed a hearty welcome and words of encourage
ment to every new enterprise, lent helping
hand to those established, giving free III our
local columns advertising which i not for sale
at any price. and in season and out of season
We nave proclaimed the adv anta-cs Belfast Of
ters for manufacturing and as q desirable SUM
mer resort. That more has moi come Of these
and similar efforts on the part of Others is due
t. lie high taxes here. There is not Il town ON
the Maine coast but what has derived more or
les heneft from summer visitors. Fine resi-
denee> for occupancy during the heated term
are going up on either side of Us. with hotels to
meet the wants Of transient guests. Belfast
alone is stunned. Those who have come here
and We're pleased with the place and found
property to >uit Them went elsewhere on learn
ing the rate of taxation. Every new conner
adds something to the valuation. 10 the amount
of money in circulation, and helps to tighten
the burdens OF those now here. We are not
only shutting out such people hut are driving
cur own people away. Recognizing these facts
the journal has for Years advocated redllc-
ton of taxes At the earliest possible moment.
It favored refunding at a time when decided
relief might have been obtained III this way
but for those who wanted the credit Of doing it
themselves. without the aid of banks OF cap-
tali>ts. and who failed ANONYMOUSLY. to the
great pecuniary los OF all who pay taxes. 1t
is idle 10 talk OF reputation, as that could only
lead 10 litigation and loss ari prove a per
manent injury to the credit of the city. Enough
was said by the Taxpayer leaders four years
ago to increase the difficulties ia the way of
reflmding and to affect in some degree any
new efforts i'll this direction. So far As the pre-
ferred stockholders are concerned we have
never taken them into consideration i'll dscls>-
sing this Taxpayer movement We simply
hold III their case, as we do in all others, that
the right must prevail. They should have what
they are clearly entitled to. TO reputation or
robbery in any form the Journal i a determine
ed foe, a. it is to unfathfuI officials. ana to men
who are using public positions for private pro-
fit. For the resi- The journal speaks only its
own honest convictions As to the course which
should now be pursued with regard 70 the af-
fairs OF the city. 1t has valuable property at
stake and an interest in The community second
to none. 1t wants Belfast to crow and pros
per, and i fully assured that it can neither
grow nor prosper Under the present burdens
Of taxation Or undcr the policy proposed hy
the Taxpayers.
The idea that the Journal could he influenced
-