Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-08
THE AUGUSTA WATER COMPANY.
| Plain Statement Of Facts BY Its Treasurer
Hon. ]. n. Manley.
ArousrA, NJ, March :, 1893

ArcusrA, Me-, March !, 1893.
~ tie Cttizeas Of -iaguste
The New Age has seen fit, for the pur-
pose of affecting the coming municipal cleo
ton. tn grossly misrepresent aud mali
ciously falsify in regard 10 the Augusta
Water Company. II is well, therefore, to
state precisely the exact standing of this
company.
In 1887 the late Governor Bodwell of
HaIlowelI, Hon. J. NJ. Haynes, Mr.. Oscar
ilolway, the late Daniel A. Cony, and Jo-
seph II. Manley of this city, Hon. Arthur
Sewall of Bath. and Hon. George r.
Wescott of Portland purchased of
the stockholders of the old Augusta
Water Company, all their interests, paying
them 1926 600 for their franchise. The old
works Of the company were entirely made
qiate to furnish supply of water for the
city and the citizens, and after these gentle
men had acquired this right, they aban-
1oaed the property, using the franchise and
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
in the matter until the whole question was
unlimited to vote of the citizens in town
meeting, who overwhelmingly voted to
contract with the company to furnish
water for fire purposes at a stipulated price.
The city government, however, made a
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
purposes at the lowest hydrant rental paid
by any city or town in Maine. The city
pays $500 per hydrant for all hydrants
established when the works were construc.
ted, and $50 90 per annum for all new hy.
drants added by the city. This amounts to
about 100000 per apnum. In addition
the water company is furnishing water fol
sprinkling the streets, for public fountains
for city schoolhouses, without charge and
without the slightest recompense.
Hon. George f.. Maeomber estimated a,
the time the contract was made, that the
annual saving to the citizens of Augusta by
reason of the Introduction of the water
system, 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 out 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
annually by reason of its construction ST..
j'5 % in Texas.
In 1888 the assessors for the first time
assessed this company for municipal taxa
ton. The chairman of the board of assess
ors then was Mr.. VIM. II. Libby. and the
assessment was based upon the valuation Of
1928. 90 and the company paid for the veal
$4,000. For the year 1891 the valuation
was increased to $40 600 and it pait
$685. .0s. In 1882 ii paid net tax, after
its discount, of Sioo5 ~.
That this company has been of soms
value to the city in furnishing perfec
| system of supplying water and enabli nl
small industries to obtain power at a very
los rate must be apparent to every one.
| The gross receipts of the Augusta Water
! piBp1uF up 10 ISL lcp's hd'S
| only exceeded the current expenses of the
company S2700 Its net receipts in the fiv,
years have not equalled the amount of mum
cipal tax it has paid. If it is not bearing
its just proportion of the burdens it is
not its fault. II has never sought Direct,
or indirectly to control the action of the as
SCISSORS in fixing the valuation upon it
property. 1t has each year exhibited to thu
board statement of its cost and its condi
tion and abided their judgment. Ii has nj
| iavors to ask. 1t desires to furnish purt
Cater at the lowest possible rate, but
does claim that it has some rights and tina
the gentlemen who took it upon themselve
to risk the building of this great euterpris'
which has resulted in some degree to tn
benefit of every citizen, are entitled I,
fair and Just treatment. The owner
of this property do not disguise the fac
that they hope in time that the works viii
pay. They will in the future, as they hav
in the past, cbeerfully consent to any fai
AMI equitable burden that is placed upo
them, whether in the way of taxation or in
creased or improved service. But they vii
not consent to be made the football of an
political party. or that their valuation TO
the purposes of municipal taxuiou shall b
controlled by personal or party malice
This property cannot be assessed I
crafty spleen or prejudice. 1t must b
upon fair and equitable basis in accer