Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-14


no secret that ths Democrats Of Augusta
we're unusually well organized. that they
had put in large amount Of hard work and
that they we're possessed Of the largest
campaign fund they have had for years
Republicans naturally Anticipated that
their majority might be someshas re-
dncesi, and that the Democrats might, pos
sibly, succeed in carrying two or three Of
the close wards, bat We do not believe that
many Of them anticipated any such political
landslide as resulted from yesterdays vote
The Republicans Of this city have never pre-
sensed cleaner, more representative
ticket than that of this year. II wss headed
by . citizen Of sterling ability and character,
gentlemen whose name is without spot or
blemisi, and who enjoys, in marked de-
gree, the good viii ansi esteem Of bis fellow
citizens. Clearly, then, the result Of the
election vas not due to the candidates pre-
s@ntea by the Republican party
We must look elsewhere for its
causes There are IN the life Of
almost any Municipality periods Of politi-
cal reaction. II is Impossible that 4 party
which has been in continuous control OF
local affairs for a long term Of years should
not have engendered many antagonisms.
These 10 the cumulative process Of an "a
tended period Of time become quite factor
- rtB,a al. sns
to Republican'succe.s yesterday and con
tribute,i powerfully To Democratic victory
SuIl IL il had stood alone il Womb
not have been sufficiently strong
TO have accomplished this result. IL
has devolved upon the Republi-
can party Of this city, during the past few
years. TO make many importan, and perrna-
nent improvements in our city. These In
provements were generally demanded by
our citizens No one objected TO them.
All eomHended them. We have never
seen il ntimsted that the city did not re-
reiye full value for every dollar thus ex
pended. Our citizens, Of both parties,
must have known that they conh not be
secured without Increased expenditure,
They must have known that this
enlarged expenditure would, necessarily,
involve an increase In the tax rate. In the
face Of this they desired the improve
ments to be male and the city government
complied with their wishes. The tax rate
was advanced and this spring some Of the
identical men who were loudcst in zfvp-
eating the measures that brought about this
result were the very ones To use il as a
weapon to defeat Republican rule in this
city. II was paraded constantly as AN evil
dence of Republican misrule and this mole
Of procedure was undoubtedly successful
in prejudicing many members OF the
party who did not stop to
candidly and fairly consider the matter in
all its bearings. These men were beguiled
into false belief that change in the man
agement of municipal affairs would result
IN great benefit to the city. One short year
will suffice To show them their mistake, and
we doubt not that another spring they will
return to their Republican allegiance never
again to depart from it.
Again, 1t great deal of prejudice was
worked up by certain men against the cleo
tric light and water companies It was
asserted and falsely so-as the JorR-
RAJ conclusiyely proved to its read
ers in recent editorial
that the former of these com
| panes was responsible for driving from
industries. 1t was further alleged that
these were foreign cor porations' and that
in some inexplicable way they were doing
/ great injury to the city. IL was pointed
out in the Journal, that these companies
brought capital here which was expended
in our city and went TO swell our prosperity
these enterprises were largely Augusta citi-
1ens that they were under local manage
meut; that they supplied the city
with lights and water; that they had large
pay rolls which went to the upbuilding Of
the community. It was shown that On
| Water Street alone saving of a number
rates as result of the introduction of our
water system, and that both the electric
light and water companies contributed as
literally to sustaining the public burdens as
similar companies situated elsewhere in the
State. 1t would certainly seem as if com
panies that have brought such
very far from being the burden to the
community that they were made to appear.
People were led in many eases to believe
that these companies were robbing the
community, and tina, because of them the
burdens of individual property holders were
increased rather than diminished. There
prejudice the voters of the city. but those
already Noted will give . fair idea of all.
We 10 not believe that this defeat is
II result of old divisions inside
the party lines. There was
no factionalism in the nominations made
this spring. Never in It's history has the
| party had caucuses that were more lar
monious, or candidates that gave mere
general satisfaction. In view of all these
facts. the result of the vote was as unex.
pected as it was Disappointing. After many
years of patient waiting the Democratic
party finds itself in control of
our municipal affairs. Can it
equal the record of the Republicans? u so
If will do something that it has never yet
been able 10 do in years past. 1t has had
one or two short leases of power, but they
were brief. The people were glad of =
change after short trial. So it will be
this time, and one year from this date we
predie, that the citizens of Augusta will call
the Republican party back to power in our
municipal affairs by an old time majority.
Three important topics will form the sub
jects for papers and discussions at the semi
annual meeting of the State board of trade
to be held at Skowhegan on March 29th.
They are allow can the other business in
terests of Maine be made more helpful to
al ,,tarN.ss ze h. St.to