Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-06
Why?

Will it stand true to its fsi h March 18th,
or will it pose before the world as Demo
cratic city:
1t will accept one of the two alternatives,
TO. while those who long have resided here
know that Republican principles are in
grained in the majority of its people. and
ID very large majority of its more stable
element, the stranger, the outside world
will regard Il Dem ,cratic, and this, too, at
time when the people Of the country are
cllmoring for return to Republicans gov
ernment. Indeed, it seems to be the duty
of Republicans to avow their political faith
and act upon it this spring, - they will
at tie next congressional elections.
If they fail to do this there ough, at least
to be some good reason for the failure.
We firmly believe that there is not the
slightest reason why a Republican should
vote the Democratic ticket this spring. We
also believe that the majority of the voters
in thi. city will look upon the matter in that
light sfter considering it from all sides.
Surprising we admit that every man who
voted contrary to Iii. custom, the Democratic
ticket last srring did 60 simply from sense
of duty founded in the belief that the Re-
publican party in this city had become cor
rup', wastefal and extravagaut in its hand
ling of city finances. Evidently the first step
is to consider whether the voters belief
was correct. All know that the reiterated
charges of corruption and extravaganza
which were made by our political opponents,
made with vehemence and exaggeration
as persistent as they were irresponsible, ex-
erted powerful influence. A little discon-
tent sometimes opens the mind to such
statements and disquali6es it for impartial
Judgment of them. Then, too, many who
beard these things did not stop to consider
whether they were really getting the worth
of their taxes in the way of necessary in :
provements did not stop to look fsrshe r
than the tax they were then paying and the
promise of smaller one.
How easy to say "Well we'll try them and
see if they can do as they promise"
There is no doubt but what many believed
they were inaugurating an administration of
reform. As a matter of fact they voted the
straight Democratic ticket and instead of q
re form administration found themselves with
simply Dem ocratic administration hamper
ed by inexperience, with its best intentions
circumscribed by rash promises impossible
of fulfilment and degraded by the onslaught
for patronage always incident to the re-
newal of power by political party which
has long been in the minority.
Enough of the Republicans had voted
for this change SO that they might with con-
siderable degree of truth remark upon it as
"citizen's movement"
Blu. the fruit of Il is citizens movement"
was political party revelling in control
for which they had hungered for years.
We do not intend'here to call in question
the integrity of the men who represented
the Democratic party in control of Au-
glsta. We imply wish to take them as we
find them. affording them, too, the excuse
of circumstances. These circumstances
were inc xorable. Their party demanded
of them continuance of power. Those who
had fought their campaign had promised
lavishly, rashly, as people who do not ex-
pect to be called upon to make
good their promises are apt to do,
or as men viii do sometimes when in
desperate straits; but they as Representa-
tives must attic mpt to make those promises
good. Those of any experience in business
affairs must have realized that fulfilment
was impossible. Would they 90 back on
the party which elected them or would they
make show of performing the impossible
Polite, demanded pretense; conditions
denied the substance.
They could reduce taxes. Indeed, ii
should be borne in mind that prominen.
Republican long acquainted with city af-
fairs as mayer and auditor had pointed out
a way in which taxes could be reduced. In
fact they had not been reduced before sim
ply because expensive improvements seemed
demanded. The more imperative improve
ments having been accomplished there
could be lower tax rate.
But the new rulers mast sho,o that there
had been corruption under the Republican
administration must continue to make
needed improvements and at less erpens,
thaa their predecessors. They must live
within the low rate of taxation prescribed
by them. Otherwise what excuse could
Democratic city government have in
Republican city: BIT these things they
could not DO. 1t was beyond human posi-
bility TO do them.
They could make scme changes and they
did so. There were two of the forme,
Republican assessors still on the board
but the Democrats were able to make
every change they desired.
One charge, with which, however. the
assessors of course had nothing to do, was