Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-03-11
The Town Elections.

The columns Of matter which the
Jot RSAL has been and is now publishing
giving the results Of the annual elections
In the several towns ia Maine may at
first glance seem very dry and uninter.
esting reading. They consist only OF
the names Of men called to serve in very
minor offices in the affairs Of the State.
and Of statistics and sums relating to
public receipts and disbursements in
these little republics" which in their
collected unisies make up the greater
commonwealth. That is all. And yet
there is great deal more than this
| between the lines and in the significance
Of the figures The best men in the
towns are those selected flor these lead
ing offices, and Il Ia evident that the
men chosen possess "a good name"
among their fellows. This good name Ia
a heritage and possession 10 the men Sc
iected for even the smallest Of these
small Offices; and those who accept these
positions should regard the positions as
those Of honor and responsibility and
| should do their best TO serve their
| towns in the most acceptable and worthy
manner. IL IL an honor TO be called 20
fill these town Offices. 10 assist in giving
good local government to the people Of
these small boroughs OF q good state,
| and 10 be watchful Of the interests Of
the public and the rights Of the individ-
ual. Thee fathers of the town are
the real leaders In affairs, the men to
whom the people look as to their pro-
teetors and guides, and there never need
be any fear that the real spirit
OF the older fathers who 30 well laid
the foundations for civil government and
r"ligiou. liberty in the New World. will
ever be wanting in their offspring so long
az the popular will is supreme and the
rule OF the majority based upon intelli
gence aud the rights Of each and all are
loyalty supported.
But there is additional significance and
Interest to these dry and bare statements
Of the town expenses. They show the
town life They are full Of the spirit and
meaning of good society and good gov
eminent They are full OF the greatest
| interest to the student Of our institutions
and our State policy. Look over the list
| and note the objects for which the town
Io Ia "a
some Of the objects First am org them are
| the support OF the unfortunate poor and
the education Of the children. Liberal ap-
propriations are made for these noble
purposes. Next On the list are highways
and bridges-more than usually liberal
are the sums voted for these purposes
this spring, which indicate an
awakening in behalf OF better roads that
will surely result in an increased pros
perity to the towns. Then many towns
vote to exempt from taxation
for series OF years all i'm
provements which tend towards
a permanent increase in the business of
the towns-a wise provision which has
not failed to serve its end excepting in a
few rare instances. Aside from these
leading expenditures note also few Of
the objects for which the towns make
special appropriation Some OF them
are; new sehoolhouses, public libraries,
new town halls, bIooded stock for the
town farms, soldiers monument, electric
lights road machines. fire department, I'M
provement upon cemeteries, exercises of
Memorial day thus looking out for every
object which shall conduce to the higher
good OF the living, and keep alive that
patriotic reverence for the departed de-
tenders of this noble Mon which is the
unfailing sign Of deep seated patriotism
Surely these significant lessons staring
out at US from the dull statistics Of the
town reports, invest them with a lively
interest. and induce high regard for
even the smallest action If town meet.
ing having for its end the good Of its
citizens