Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-13
KNOW A GOOD THING
Do the Bostonians. and Will Endorse Clean
Administration Of Municipal Affairs.

A Journal man CHANGED to meet a Bos.
ton gentleman who was visiting in the city
last week, and the conversation turned up.
on municipal politics in the Hub of the
universe. - The gentleman was an en-.
tertaining talker and thoroughly en-
Unused over what he termed, Cuisines
administration Of municipal affairs
"Wc hear a good deal about reform in
New York" he added, "but tell you we
have been doing some effective work in
Boston and that, too, without making
much noise about it. You mention Roose-
welt. Perhaps you recall that he once
said, 4 would preach the doctrine of
work to ALL and to the men of wealth the
doctrine of unremuncrativc work Mayor
Curtis would come under the head of the
wealthy men referred to and as for the
doctrine Of unrcmuncratvc work. why,
the city of Boston is no sinccurc and if it
were Ned Curtis would have it changed
over within week so the oldest citizen
wouldn't recognize it A sinccurc is the
last thing he has any patience with and
that's how it happens that several, who
have done prodigious amount Of loaf
ing at the city s expense the past few years,
have recently walked up to find their polit-
ical heads in the basket. They were dis
ri
Gratis, but because they were worse than
useless to an honest, businesslikc admin
istration of city affairs The better ele.
mcnt among the Democrats understand
this and believe will stand by Curtis,
Notwithstanding there isn't the slightest
question but what the Democratic party
in that bailiwick are resolved upon having
the mayor for the next two years. But the
citizens admire Curtis. They know he is
as incorruptibc as his father before him
that he acts upon principle. and is fear
less People can't help feeling pride in
having such men at the head Of municipal
affairs. His appointments have been men
of business qualifications and unimpeach-
able integrity.
"Talk about the doctrine of unremuner-
atlvo work' never saw it better ,illustra-
ted, for instance. than in the person of Col
Henry S. Russell, the present fire com
missioner. Horscmen know him as the
owner OF Smuggler and proprietor OF
large stock farm in Milton. 1t is estima-
ted that by his strict business methods he
will save the city $780, 900 during the year
and that he has already saved the city
$40, 600 on horses alone. He is up early
and late, devoting his splendid business
great pride and all for salary that of it.
self can have no influence in his case for he
is wealthy. He has completely wiped
politics from the department He is
strict disciplinarian but the men like him
because they know that he will be honest
with them and that political pulls don't
count. The merchants and the under
writers appreciate the value of such man.
agement. One said to me the other day
Such appointments as that Of Col Rus
sell haven't been made since the days Of
Mayors Cobb and Pierce back in 1876
Mayor Curtis has practically elimina-
ted politics from all the single headed
commissions. All his appointments for
these positions have been based on the
business qualifications and not on the
amount of political wire pulling the can
didate might be capable Of and am con-
fldent that's what big majority of vo-
tiers want, and propose to keep, now they
We been fortunate enough to find it."