Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-21

+, crease salaries for the sake of tenanting
! the building?
believe that suitable armory can be
built of wood ON the city lot, without pur-
chasing new land, for $4,000.
! If the erection of city building should
be postponed for 10 years until our present
debt is diminished, our valuation increased
and certain necessary street and sewer i'm
provements are secured, We should save as
between present expenses and the annual
expenses with the new building about
$40, 600. nearly enough to build the tuild-
ing.
Where are the petitions and who are
the petitioners who ask the city to enter
into an agreement with this Building
Company, and all matters pertaining to
the building. over which questions may
arise are to be referred to John c. Spot
ford, architect, a gentleman in the EN-.
ploy of this said company. Think of 1t,
gentlemen. A contracts with B to build
him house, and agrees to leave all mat
tiers of dispute, which may arise, to or
some man in his employ. Would you
make such contract in your private
businessg Was ever a jug handle more
one-sided?
believe 1t to be wrong in principle for
city building to be owned by syndicate,
from the fact that the question of repairs,
reservations and insurance will make it
necessary for this syndicate to have its
friends in the city government every year
during the whole 80 years, thus placing
the city under guardianship for a century.
In addition to the questions of policy in
volved In this proposed undertaking and
/ which have discussed, many citizens
have queried how, notwithstanding the
bonded debt of the city has already sur
passed the danger mark of constitutional
prohibition, the city can legally assume
the additional Indebtedness carried by the
proposed contract.
Upon this point I have obtained the
written opinion of counsel recognized to
be second to none in the State, and who,
residing outside of this city, ana even be-
yond Kcnnebec county, is in no wise
tinctured with local interest or prejudice,
and which deem it my duty to give you
the benefit Of
After careful research and mature con-
sideration, this high legal authority adj
vises me without reserve or doubt that
the contract is in plain violation of the
constitution and Is illegal. And have
every reason to believe that should the
city enter into this contract its oonsum-
nation will be prevented by prompt ap
peal to the courts by prominent citizens
and tax payers.
In conclusion, enjoin upon you care
full and mature elaboration. This mat
ter requires no hasty action, but on the
contrary demands your calm and I'M
prcjudiced action. Hasty action may be
repented of In vain. There can be no
mistake in taking plenty Of time.
Chas. A. Milliken, Mayor.
Augusta, Aug 90, 1895.
The mayors veto message was laid
upon the table.
Adjournment was had to 100, this,
Wednesday evening
A claim against the city for paving
blocks alleged to have been washed away
during the spring freshet, was presented by
Mrs. Wescott through her counsel, Beane
& Became. Referred to the city solicitor
A supplementary roll of accounts was
passed. 1t provided for the payment of
$9S9.19 for support of poor, and 1922. 16
for the city farm building these sums to
be paid out of the money appropriated for
these departments.
An order was passed to move the
hydrant on Willow street in front of the
Gannett & Morse Concern 200 feet north |
An order was passed authorizing the use
for paving In front of the Edwards Com
pany's mill, the lot of unused paving
stones belonging to the city.
An order granting permission to VIM
H. Holmes to construct platform two
feet wide in front of his house on Dick |
man street, there being no sidewalk on |
that side and 1t not to interfere with |
travel, was referred to the committe on |
highways with power to act.