Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-01
CITY GOVERNMENT MEETING.
Mayor MiIIiken vetoes the Order for the Pur.
chase Of Land for City HALL.

souSn SLUG VI winthrop street from Chest
nut street to the entrance of Forest Grove
cemetery, and granite crosswalk from
that sidewalk to Mt. Pleasant cemetery
Inc matter OF the appointment of an
inspector of buildings was laid over until
the next meeting, which will be this even
ing at 7. 80 O'Clock.
Mayor Milliken then read the following
veto OF the order empowering him to pur-
caase more land for new city hall:
Gentlemen Of the Board of Aldermen:
| believe it is my duty to veto the order
OF the city council empowering me, on be-
half CT the city. to purchase land upon
which city building may be erected.
IL was 1rst proposed to construct an
armory for the use of the Capital Guards,
that might contribute to the continuance
OF the friendly feeling between the city
and military authorities and insure the
holding of the annual muster here
| linen, as measure of economy, 1t was
proposed to have stores upon the first floor
OF the building that would yield sub
stantial rental, and rooms over them for
the use of the different officers of the city
government, and thus save considerable
sum which the city is now paying for the
privilege.
| When the committee was chosen to
secure plans and contract for the build
Ing, we had in view the erection of a
structure which should cost about $685.
600, and yield in rentals alone srnearly
enough to pay 4 per cent. upon the ex-
penditure. The original ideas have been
radically changed. The proposition now
Is that private company shall build a
city building costing, 1t Is said. $50, 900,
upon which the city Is to bind itself to
pay per cent. interest as a rental, relieve
the property from all burdens of t,xaton,
and have no revenue from it in the shape
of rentals from stores, or anything else.
| We now are confronted with plans
which any reasonable estimate places be-
yond-how far we do not know-the $685.
600 voted as limit of costs by the city
council. What Will that limit amount to
when once we purchase the land and sign
contract for the building? The city Will
then be committed to what may prove a
very unsatisfactory and expensive ar
rangement, and we may well hesitate.
While did not at first disapprove the
idea that the first structure might be built
by private individuals, upon further con-
sideration 1 think it may with propriety
be inquired whether the city of Augusta
Is not as we'll able to own the house in
which Its government is to live as 1t Is
to have that house mortgaged or owned
| by private individuals, AS a general rule,
believe 1t to be impolitlc and unwise for
the city to bind itself to pay large sums of
money yearly for long terms of years
The time will surely como, it is not far
distant, when the city of Augusta will
own Its water works, Its lighting system
and Its city building. Individuals go
into these schemes for the purpose of gain;
their purposes are realized, and the public
pays the bill.
Such matters are public necessities. and
there is no valid reason why the public
should not reap all the benefits there are in
them. This city Is getting into deep
water In the matter of contracts which
bind 1t to yearly payments and exemp-
| lions from taxation. Our water contract
binds the city to large annual payments
until 1907 the electric light contract the
same until 1893. We largely exempt from
| taxation number of private Industries
| Our interest account now exceeds Sl4 900
year, and now 1t Is proposed to put upon
the city for a long term of years an obliga-
ton to pay each year $4,000 at least for
rent of city building and wholly exempt
the property and the capital invested from
taxation. Not only this, but the city
must assume and pay for repairs, insur-
ance and caro- of the building. Besides
all this, the cost of furnishing the build
| ing will be no small item
| If the citizens want city building, 1t
should be built, and the cost Of the same
paid by taxation. The proposition now is
| In effect the creating of more city debt.
| That debt Is already up to the per cent
constitutional limit. We should be care
| full to bave the endorsement of the people
before materially onlarging the burdens
| they are now carrying
| Only few weeks ago it was thought
necessary to abandon contemplated high
way improvements for the purpose of re-
ducing the tax rate Are we consistent
| In now imposing a heavy burden upon
our citizens in the shape of rent payable
yearly to private company for the use Of
| a public building?
| II our people are ready to build city
hall proper. which shall be the pride of
the city for generations to come, it seems
to me that they should use moderation in.
stead of haste in forming their plans. We
should not be confined to the ideas of one
architect but should invite all who may
choose to submit plans and specifications,
and avail ourselves Of the wisdom and
genius of the many and not the few. Haste
makes waste This is not q matter in
which we are limited as TO time
My action is not for the purpose of de-
feating the building of a structure as at
first proposed, for i am heartily In favor
of It, but l am against this new arrange
ment. Upon this subject l am anxious
that the citizens of Augusta as whole
should speak, and what they direct l will
most cheerfully and heartily undertake
to carry out.
| 1 believe that public meeting OF the
people should be held. IL this new arrange
ment is to be pushed, to consider, first,
whether we shall have city building at
all, and IL so, where 1t shall be located,
and second, whether 1t shall be built and
owned by the city of Augusta, or private
building company.
In vetoing this order have done what
seems to me to be my plain duty, and
leave the matter for your consideration,
trusting that whatever action you take
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