Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-06-24
Matter Discussed in Joint Con-
vention City Government.
Committee Appointed to Arrange for
Erection Of Such a Structure.
Special Session City Fathers for This Purpose
and Other Business.

| AL oIucr WAS passed that the taxes
assessed for this year shall be payable tc
the collector of taxes for the city of Au.
gusta on or before Sept. 20, and interest
at per cent. per year shall be added to
taxes assessed for the year 1895.
remaining unpaid from that date,
and an abatement or discount of 6 Der
cent. shall be allowed on taxes assessed
for the year 1895, that shall be voluntarily
paid to the collector on or before August 20.
The city council went into joint session
to consider propositions respecting q city
building. Mayor Milliken called upon
Hon. P. o. Vickery, who said he thought
that there would be no difficulty in raising
the money for erecting the building. He
thought all necessary to do at this meet
Ing would be to choose committee to see
what steps are necessary to secure a lot
and building upon 1t. The time to do
this is when everything Is favorable, not
delay Authorize the committee to act.
1t might be we'll to so arrange the matter
that any citizens who may wish to SUBJ
scribe may do so. Tho remainder of the
money needed could be easily raised. He
thought the city lot, together with lot
adjoining, would be the most suitable
site. 1t would give frontage on Cony
street of III feet. He would do what he
could to help along the project.
Hon. George E. Macomber was called
upon. 1t will be remembered that Mr.
Macomber was the first to suggest In the
Kennebec Journal, the proposition that
private capital be used in the erection of
a city building and that Mr.. Vickery
heartily approved of 1t. Mr.. Macomber
told the city council that 1t was under
stood, that the Capitol Guards would be
disbanded unless they could be provided
with an armory. Should the Guards be
disbanded, 1t was generally conceded that
the muster would be held o part of the
time at least in some other city. This
annual muster it was estimated brought
into the city, from $40, 900 to $l2, 600 an
nually. Augusta should not lose this. 1t
the debt limit of the city did not permit
the raising of money necessary for this
purpose, the only way out would be for
some one to take hold of the matter and
furnish capital for the erection Of such a
building as should be suitable for
city hall as we'll as an
armory The city had lot
on the East side that with the addition of
q small lot adjoining would be suitable
for such building. He might not favor
tho erection of so costly a building as
some. He thought that perhaps build
ing costing s15, 900 or $50, would be
sufficient for present purposes. Other
stories could be added later There might
be opposition to the city renting stores
and offices In competition with private
parties. These details were for the city
council to consider and decide upon. The
city should continue to go ahead. Paying
off its debt at the present rate in few
years 1t would be In condition to come
into possession of fine city building.
Ex-Msyor Chase was strongly In favor
of the project. $50 to work and don't
be niggardly. Build one large enough to
hold as large political conventions as any
party might wish to hold for the next 100
wears. He regarded this need OF city
hall as greater than the need of an armory
Mr.. vickery said such building
would take up good deal of room on the
street, and If but one story in height
would not be in keeping with other
buildings in the city or the needs OF the
city. He thought the city would find
three story building less burdensome than
one story building.
Hon. John F. Hill was called upon
He was heartily in favor OF the city
buildinp and If he could do anything to
help it along he would be glad to do 1t.
W u. Stinson, ESQ, said he wished to
Law stress on the Importance of having
some place here in which to hold political
conventions. When 1000 or 1400 dele
gates assemble here each one Will spend
from one to two dollars Then 1t WI uld
afford place for holding the Legislative
receptions, desirable event that 1t had
not been possible to have since the burn
Ing of Granite hail. There is nothing the
olty needs more than large hall and 1t
| would be good time to dedicate 1t when
we have our grand 4th Of July celebration
here next year.
W. II. Williams. Esq, was called upon.
He heartily favored the project. He said
be was on the board Of trade committed
appointed to sec what could be done rel"-
tive to an armory. He thought the way
the matter now looked that the committed
would soon be able to make favorable
report.
Mr.. G. W. vickery was called, upon and
there was considerable informal discus
s,on. The mayor said that the city is now
q q mi }oh xryon1f