Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-11
HON. ]. Il. MANLN.
Speaks for the augusta Water
Company.
Arsrsrs. Me-. March !, lsss.

ArsrsTs. ME,. March !, lssts.
/ II the Gitfssas of Aagsssts:
The New Age has seen bit, for the par-
pose of affecting the coming municipal cleo
ton, to grossly misrepresens and malicious
I ly fslsify in regard to the Augusta Water
Company. II is we'll, therefore, to state
precisely the exact standing Of this COM
pany.
In 1887 the late Governor Boiwelf of
HalloweIl, Hon. J. NJ. Haynes, Mr.. oscar
Holway. the late Daniel A.. Cony, and Jo-
seph ri. Manley Of this city. Hon. Arthur
Sevaii of Bath. and Hon. George r.
Wescott of Portland purchased of the
stockholders Of the old Augusta Water
Company, all their interests, paving them
S25 600 for their franchise. The old
works of the company were entirely made
9uate to furnish a supply of water for the
city and the citizens, and after these gentle
men hsd acquired this right, they aban-
doned the property, using the franchise ami
obtaining from the Legislature additional
rights to their charter. Before commencing
the building of their works they made a
proposition to the city government for a
contract between the city and the company
to furnish water to the city for certain pur-
poses. The city government did not act ia
the matter until the whole question was sub
mitted to vote of the citizens in town
meeting, who Overwhelmingly voted to con
tract with the company to furnish water for
FIRE purposes at stipulated price. The
city government, however, made contract
On much lower and more favorable terms
than the citizens voted.
The company proceeded TO build their
works, and they have constructed as good
a system of water works as exists in the
State of Maine. They have complied with
every condition imposed upon them, and
are furnishing water to the city for FIRE pur-
poses at the lowest hydrant rental paid by
any city or town in Maine. The city pays
s25 90 per hydrant for all hydranis estab-
lslied when the works were constructed,
and $50 90 per annum for all new hydrsnts
added By the city. This amounts to about
$1,000 90 per annum. In addition the water
company is furnishing water for sprinkling
the streets, for public fountains, for city
schoolhouses, without charge and without
the slightest recompense.
Hon. George +. Maeomber estimated, at
the time the contract was made, that the
annual saving to the citizens of Augusta by
reason Of the introduction of the water sys-
TEN, in lowering rates of insurance. was
over $1,000 90 per annum.
The Augusta Water Company obtained
the money to build these works outside the
city of Augusta, but they employed in the
building of them the citizens of Augusta,
and paid cut every dollar expended in con-
struction to our own people. Their pay
roll amounts to $4,000 per year, which |
goes to our own citizens. This company
has caused to be paid the State of Maine.
by reason of its construction
Sl575.00 in Texas.
In 1855 the assessors for the first time |
assessed this company for municipal taxa
ton. The chairman of the board of as
SCISSORS then was Mr.. VIM. II. Libby, and |
the assessment was based upon the yalua- |
ton of $500, and the company paid for
the year $1,000. For the year SCI the |
valuation WAS increased to $40, 900, and it |
paid S957.0s In 1889 it paid a net tax, |
after its discount of Sl005.22.
That this company has been of some
value to the city in furnishing perfect
system of supplying water and enabling
small industries to obtain power at a very
low rate must be apparent TO every one.
The gross receipts of the Augusta Water |
Company up to January LIST, 1898, have
only exec eded the current expenses of the |
company S2700. Its net receipts in the five
years have not equalled the amount OF |
tax it has paid. If it is not bearing |
its Just proportion of the burdens it is not
its fault. 1t has never sought directly or |
Indirectly to control the action of the as /
SCISSORS in fixing the valuation upon its |
II has each year exhibited to the |
board statement of its cost and its con- /
dition and abided their judgment. 1t has
no favors to ask. 1t desires to furnish pure /
water at the lowest possible rate, but it does |
claim that it has some rights and that the |
gentlemen who took ii upon themselves to |
risk the building of this great enterprise |
which has resulted in some degree to the |
benefit of every citizen, are entitled to fair |
and Just treatment. The. owners of this |
property do not disguise the fact that they |
hope in time that the works will pay They |
will in the future, as they have in the past, |
consent to any fair and equitable |
burden that is placed upon them, whether |
in the way of taxation or increased or i'm |
proved service. But they will not consent
to be made the football of any political par |
ty, or that their valuation for the purposes
of municipal taxation shall be controlled by |
personal or party malice.
This property cannot be assessed TO
crafty spleen or prejudice. 1t must be
upon fair and equitable basis in accor-
dance with the law, and if not so assessed |
the company like individuals, has its |
remedy.
We venture the assertion without fear of
that there is not private wat |
err corporation in the State of Maine fur |
al; ~ Ia hat ho An
gusta Water Company furnishes at the low
rates which the Augusta Water Company
receive. There is not a single city or town
in Maine, where water company exists, |
that the property is valued at such a high
rate as the property is valued in this city.
There are in the several cities and towns
in Maine today thirty two water companies,
and careful examination of the valuation
placed upon these several properties by the
cities and towns where they are
located warrant the statement made in ref
erence to the Augusta Water Company.
The company brought capital from
abroad and created an enterprise which was
great public necessity. For five years
the promoters and owners of this property
have had the privilege of taking the entire
risk and responsibility of this enterprise
without pecuniary reward. They believe
that they have borne cheerfully every bur
den which in all fairness could be placed
upon them. They believe, moreover, that
the citizens of this city, irrespective of
party, are controlled by a desire to deal
justly with every one and that they will not
permit men who have never lifted their
hands to develop the material interests OF
Augusta, but who for partisan purposes
would destroy any enterprise, to control or
guide their action.
AusrsTA WATER CoMrASr,
by