Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-05
Don't Be a Clam.
Editors kennebec Journal:

Editors kennebec Journal:
A clam is the most conservative creation
in the universe. He is always contented
with things as they are. He doesn t
want to change anything in the locality
because the mud fiat ought to remain the
same as it was in the days of his grand
father.
The clam Is opposed to progress. "Let
things alone" is his motto. He doesn't be-
lieve 1t would be good thing to fill in
his particular mud fiat and build up good
streets and buildings. No clam ever be.
lieved In that
There are human clans as well as
molluscs. The human clam is Always afraid
of progress Tallow candles were good
enough for grandfather, so what's the
good of electric lights?
The human clam always has one argu-
ment. If you progress and become alive
1t will cost money. Taxes! He makes
taxes the bugaboo to prevent advance. Poo
pie do not Ike to have their pocketbooks
touched. The cry of taxes scares hun
dreds of people who hardly look into the
matter after that one word.
It is as old as the world that you can
not reap without sowing. No great gain
can be made without some loss There
has never been an improvement made in
Augusta that has not cost something.
There has never been an improvement
which has not brought back many fold
what it cost.
Every progressive movement in Au-
gusta has met with opposition. The CLAIMS
have always stood in the way Of the march
of progress and improvement
Notwithstanding the CLANS, the i'm
provcmcnts have come How many citi-
zens of Augusta want TO go back to the
days before the Edwards Co. when we
had no iron bridge. no water works, no
electric lights, no pavements, no fire
alarm, no electric railroad, and in fact,
nothing but mud in the streets and grass
on the sidewalks?
And yet every one Of these things
stand for a victory of progress over the
conservative citizen who wanted the old
order of things and shouted taxes.
On Saturday next the citizens of Au-
gusta are to vote on another Improvement.
Being unable to raise the money by bonds,
a number Of individuals offer sufficient
amount at per cent allowing the city
to take the same up and own the building
after 10 years. 1t is exactly the same as if
the city issued bond, so far rs the effect
on the citizens.
When this subject was opened, there was
not opposition in any quarter. Since then
active canvassing has been carried on
against the project by persons having per
sonal and interested grounds why it should
not succeed Every argument, trivial and
personal has been brought to bear 10 pre-
JUDGE voters against it. Even the old 80
year interest argument, which applied TO
your food or your coat, would show you
bankruptcy in every mouthful of food or
in the clothes that cover you, has been
brought to bear against it.
The facts are these: A perfectly fair
proposition has been made which offers
Augusta a city bah at the very best terms
the people advancing the money receive
exactly what the city would allow on a
loan but not what any one Of them could
make with the same money in active
speculation. No member Of he opposition
will say over his own signature that this
is anything more than "a safe investment,
or that the terms are disadvantage to the
city
Augusta Is one Of the large cities Of the
State. To hold this prestige We must
keep up with the procession. Every other
city has its city hall. Augusta, the capi.
tai of the State of Maine, does not possess
a hall where a convention reception, loVco
political meeting, school graduation or
any meeting Of size Gao be held; not to
speak Of not having proper city offices.
That Is the situation. \ city hall will
Improve the city and cause such change
in real estate and new buildings as to
easily raise the additional taxes it is
claimed Will come, on the very improve
ments themselves.
Don't be frightened out OF progress and
improvements by the demagogio cry Of
" more taxes" Use your own common
sense; rely on your own judgment You
want Augusta leading city, not a coun-
try town. VIII you vote for progress and
being an up-to-date city, or do you want
this to be the back number city of the
vintage of 1850 Go to the polls Satur
day, and vote YES Citizen.
Augusta, Ne, Sept. 4, 1895.