Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-01

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For sale at all druggists.
THE BOVININE co.. NEW YORK.
towns and cities interested in it, and say
it is not for towns which are not in
terestcd to say that they shall not have
this amendment / have not heard one
reason advanced in the specious argument
of the senator from York in answer to the
arguments of the senator from Androscog-
gin. The conditions in regard to water
works are so unlike those Of any other
public improvements that l believe these
conditions warrant the putting Of this
amendment into the constitution.
know it is a grave matter to change the
constitution, but it is not an unheard OF
thing The senator from York would
have us believe that it is a new departure.
| think there have been some 30 changes
made in it since it was adopted, and since
1873, when this amendment was made
which we are considering now, there have
been eight changes. The people have a
right TO change the constitution, and it
should be changed us often as the changed.
conditions of the State warrant l think
there has been such change in these con
ditions since 1878 as to warrant this
amendment The state of New York,
which is recognized as the leader among
the commercial states of the Union, has
a lopted similar amendment to their
constitution, and they have extended the
debt limit to 10 per cent. instead of D..
La, oil To,
harvest from the towns and cities of our
State, and there is now a growing senti-
ment that the towns and cities should
own their own water works; and wher-
ever they can do it it has been done.
Mr.. Hovey then referred at some length
to the feeling which had grown up that
water works were a profitable investment
for cities and towns, and instanced the
town of Pittsfield, where there has been a
water system put in at q cost of $50, COO
to which the town was only able to own
$50, 600 worth. and the contractor owns
the remainder. On this $50, 600 the town
has to pay interest at the net rate of 324
per cent, while they have to pay 6 per
cent. on the 500, 600 that they were not
able to own themselves owing to the debt
limit He said that in this way the town
LOST annually between $500 and 5000,
which, if saved to them, would have en-
abled them to reduce the tax rate nearly
mill. He stated that in his opinion the
town had right to own these water
works if they wished to, and that he saw
no good and substantial reason for refus-
ing to give the town this right. He went
on to say that so far as the petition from
Pittsfield was concerned, it had no refer.
cnce to anything but water works. The
petitioners had nothing else in mind, and
did not desire this amendment for any
thing else but water works. He said that
this was simply matter of fnanciering,
and that it was better for town to own
their water works, than to have to rent
them. If the town could go ahead and
buy piece of real estate, it simply comes
to this, that the town has 50 much added
to it's available assets and it is the same
with water works.
Continuing, he said: do not attempt
to go into the reasons of the senator from
Androscoggin. He has covered the ground
amply and ably, and simply rise to en-
dorse the statements which have been
made by him; and repeat that if any
town in this State asks for this amend
ment it should be granted.
Mr.. Hume of Washington: l rise to
object to experimental legislation. Yes
tcrtlay, in wise and kindly message
and / only regret that this message did
not reach this Legislature at an earlier
day-we were warned against expert
mental legislation, and rise here to add
my voice to that of his Excellency the
Governor. This is experimental legisla-
ton; it is not demanded by the people of
Maine; it is entirely local matter. When
the people of Maine make up their
minds that they want change in
the constitution they will give express
sion to their feelings, and that
change should never be made without the
wisest elaboration. 1t should be dis
cussed in the public press, in the count
ing room, in the corner grocery, and
everywhere all over the State, and when
the people desire that the constitution
should be changed they will make known
their wish spontaneously. This is a local
matter. but we are here to legislate for all
the people of this State, so I beg of you,
gentlemen of the Senate, to pause before
you tamper with the constitution. In
1878 there was such condition Of things
that the people demanded that the con-
stitution should be changed, and why?
Because things were not running right
towns had been pledging their credit for
every possible scheme, and the credit of
the municipalities was going down.
From the moment of the adoption of the
per cent. limit the credit If the Maine
municipalities began to improve, and
now the credit of Maine is not excelled. If
equalled, by any of the "A states Of the
nnion. And the credit of the municipal
ties has a great effect on The credit OF
every business man in the state. The
credit of all is improved by the improved