Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-16

leaving $1,000. available for support of the
poor. From an itemized account OF the re-
ceipt and expenditures of this department,
! it appears that assistance HI been rendered
to persons outside, OF city farm to the ex.
tent of Sll40 IS, or more than one half OF
the availsb appropriation.
While believe it is our plain duty 10
care for our poor aud destitute families
even though they may reside outside of our
city, i. should be borne in mind that, unless
in exceptional cases, provision has been
made at our city farm for the care OF those
| who appeal to US for assistance, where they
may 90 and receive kind attention and the
benz fit of a comfortable home. The gen
eral management of this department the
past year ref cts credit upon our board OF
overseers and superintendent.
A summary of the receipt and expendj-
lures are as follows;
annrorris.ion. $1,000 60
Pruduce sold, eol 81
Received from other to1ns, lOi 70
| - State of Maine, OF OF
$3.50 20
EXPENDITURES.
CITY farm expenses, s2,isl 20
| Aid furoIsbe,i off farm /, 40 Is
all other TWINS, lo1 10
Insane poor, 3z' IS
S4O5.qt
| ExpenCed in excess of resources 81 O92 62
The repairs and improvements on the farm
buildings and farm should be taken into
account in considering tie above over-draft.
am of the opinion it would be we'll to
amend our city ordinances with reference
to the election of the board of overseers, so
that one member of the outgoing board
l. y. In
the management of this department, would
caution you to choose men of sound judy
ment AMI prac ical experience, who viii
devote their time and thought whenever and
wherever the duties of their office require.
In making the appropriation, provision
shoull be made for pain'ioe and other
nee: ssary repairs on the farm buildings.
Our City Team.
Three years ago there was purchased by
authority of our city government city
team and equipments Il. an expense of
about $500. At the time of the purchase
u ere was division of opinion among our
citizens as to the wisdom of making such
an investment for the city, some claiming
it would result unprofitably and in the end
would prove poor investment, while others
were confident it would prove d $ URGE of
profit and convenience over the old system
of employing outside teams. The expert
ment has been tried, gentlemen, and the
following condensed statement will show
the result for the three years ending March
l, of the present year:
Earnings for 1891, $50 60
Expense 900 IS
Loss 10 the CITY, 500 16
Earnings for 1892, $ 9l2 81
Expenses 1910 90
Loss TO the city, S 127 0.
Earnings for 1893. 455 1
Expenses - 1000 81
Loss to the city, s Is 50
Add to this the depreciation of the team for
the three years, which is safe to say is not
less than $500, and we have a total loss to
the city of about 5000, or, to lie exact,
1898 O5.
From the above statement it will be seen
that the experiment has not been financisl
success, unless we stinate the convenience
of owning a team worth 5000 year.
From what I can learn concerning this
branch of our street department, l do not
hesitate to recommend ard urge "a lcal
change in the executive management
When we find by referring to orr treasurer's
report. that since til, team was purchased
it has been employed upon our str, cts on
an average of only nine months in ear
think the excess of cost over earnings in
this department may be readily explained.
Whether this is due to bsd management, or
establishes the fact that it is not profitable
for the city to own team, is not for ME to
say. l would recommend. however. that
in view of these facts you give the subject
your careful attention, and il, in your opin-
ion, the earnings of the team cannot be
made 10 eqral the cost of maintenance,
then would suggest that you find pu--
chaser for the entire outfit, whenever it
can be done advantageously to the city.
Highways, Streets & Sidewalks.
There is not department in our munich
pal governme Mt which requires more a,ten-
,ion, more sound judgment in the executive
mana cement than our highways. 1t is an
infallible rule that one can judge of the en-
terprise and business activity of any city
by is streets and highways, and in this con-
nec'ion ii is crafty ing to note thst t il sub
ject is receiving more ate niion every year
by cities and towns throughout the country,
and we trust our own city will take advan-
tsge of any new ideas calculated to improve
our highways, pro,i led it can BIZ done profit
ably and economically to the city. As far
as am able to judge at this time, our streets
have been kent in generally good condition