Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-08
4 Temporary Outlay and Permanent Econ
nmN.

To greater of less extent it is always
the lot of city government to meet with
criticism. Every community, and every
political organization has its kickers, who
find fault, from one standpoint or another
with about everything that is done in the
interests of progress 1t is easy to cri'icise ;
1t il difficult to execute. Thoughtful
| citizens will bear this fact in mind,
and When they hear reckless con-
demnatiou of the management of NUM-
/ eipal affairs. from those who, nine times
out of ten, know little or nothing about
them, they will ask themselves candidly,
what consideration is due this class of criti-
rism and whether the course of action it
denounces. has not been, after all, for the
welfare of the community. The city gov
ernment of Augusta is, at the present
time, composed almost wholly of busi-
ness men The prosperity of the city
is their prosperity. There is every reason,
| theref for believing that they have been
actuated, in their every move. by u sincere
desire to advance in every possible way the
hest interests of the city. The past few
years have seen many and needed improve
ments in our city-improvements that
have been generally and cordially
endorsed by our citizens. Now, these i'm
| provements have cost money, although we
| believe that the expense of them has been
kept within an economical figure. There
is, We believe no resident of this city who
would vote today to dispense with a single
one of these Improvements. Who would
want to have the old wooden bridge, with
it's rotted ,imbers, and reeking odors,
in place of the beautiful iron struc-
tire that today spans the Ken
nrbcc and brings the two sections
of our city into closer relationship than they
ever before enjoyed? Who would return
To the days when Water street perennial
mud Hat: Who hegrudges the money that
has been expended in beginning system
of sewerage that will be a credit to the city
| and protection TO the health of the entire
community? Who is opposed to the move.
mcnt that has been iuaugurated for better
roads. Where ia there man within our
city limits incapable of appreciating the
great benefits conferred by our fire alarm,
system: Where, in short are the fogies,
who will stand before the ear OF
municipal progress and shout, ''Al
wrong turn back again to the conditions
and the methods of antiquity" We Ger
tainly hope that they may be looked for in
vain in our fair city.
We.contend that every one of the i'm
provements we have enumerated, although
they have called for quite large outiays
have been permanent economies
There is not candid either
who will not concede that money enough
has not been expended on Grove and Water
streets in the past fifteen years to have pavet
or macadamized them several times over
The action of the city government. therefor'
in paviug Water street and in macadamizinl
Grove street. was in the interests of pos
tive and permanent economy from which
our citizens will not fail to derive large ben
eft. The same is true of our new brig
anil. indeed. of every city improve
ment which has been made 70
some years past. The citizens de
n,suled these needed improvements, an,
We 10 not believe that they complain be
cause the tax rate has been placed at poin
/ which enabled US TO secure them. Nov
tia, we have these permanent addition
to our city. there seems to n,
particular further need of specia
outlay. 50 that there is every reason TO be
li.,e that. during the next year, there vii
be. in the nsturai course of events. a con
siderable decrease i, municipal taxation
We know that. in times of political excite
meut. men are occasionally prone to pas
hssty aud III considered judgments upol
public officials, but We believe that fair
minded men, who carefuily.snd calmly IN
slider the condition of municipal affairs, vii
coneede that they have been manages
wisely and for the best interests of our city