Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-03-16
COUNTY NEWS.
For additional County Neirs see other pages
PenObsCor
TOWN MEETING.

The annual feast OF pure, simple unde-
filed democracy came off Monday in hsr-
mony with usage that has prevailed
here since the memory OF your corre-
spondent. The people here look forward
to he first Monday i'll March with feel
ings of lively anticipation. 1t is the day
Of account and judgment with the munic-
ipal officers. The books are unrolled in
one glowing sheet OF appropriations and
expenditures, OF assets and liabilities, and
the little balance at the end tells the tale
OF veal or woe.
Lucky is he man W no can survive the
disaster OF Indebtedness, and spread his
sails with renewed hopefulness. His
popularity must be encssed wit steel
and gold plated. He must have the ex-
quisite tact Of spreading his favors over
spots hat throb with tender recollection,
and responsive gratitude.
The citizens of a town too often mis-
judge their municipal officers, from the
fact that they haven't sufficient data by
which to Judge them. The financial
statement does not tell half the story.
The circumstantial evidence is hidden
The town may be at fault in inadequate
appropriat ions, unusual demands may
have arisen during the year, legal quih-
bic may have determined an important
suit, an increase Of paupers may have
rolled up he expenditures to an unusual
size: for a moment the voice of wisdom
may have lulled in the tempest Of per
soua interests; mistakes-hone-t ms
takes that proceed from the most per
fected natures may have cen made. aud
vet they are too often dealt with Without
wel}-sea-oned charity.
Municipal Officers have no organ t.
defend them and enlig hten t he people ss to
their dolugs; they are brought before no
tribunal by which their deeds can he fuzzy
tried. They stand before the people aud
voted up or down according to IN If
paper records generally. Their is more
freedom exercised in town meet ings ttaa
j. usually allowed in other bodies. Then
Is little respect paid to parliamentary
usage. The moderator l. usually elected
for his great lung power or military
bearing.
\ man generally speaks Ga a question
H many times n he p.,ases or Until lis
Voice is drowned in turbulence OF dis
satisfaction. The moderator seldom
assumes the delicate responsibility OF
calling a voter to order. The speech is
sometimes made before the notion and
The motion is often .trangled III the
speech. aud the skim OF procedure often
gels seriously tangled, but there are
always some clear heads that viii unite
the knots and strsighten ont the threads.
But the town meeting is an educator it is
the people. Congress. 1t is one place in
our governmental structure where every
man represents himself " here he deter
mines, according to the intelligence that
i manifested in him, the measure o, his
civic burdens.
Our town meeting occurred as before
month. 1t was tine spring day, the
sleighing was fairly good, and these,
together with the fact that there would
be an entire change in the board Of Sc
lectmen, tempted out larger gathering
Of the voters Of the town than usual.
The meeting was promptly called to
order by the clerk, and y. +. Norton was
chosen moderator. The place would look
lonesome without Mr. Norton, he has
filled 1t so many times.
The chairman OF the old board intend
ing to spend the summer in Massachu-
sets, there was good-natured but ex-
citing contest for the craftsmanship of he
board of selectmen between Frank Miller
and Walter Dreamer. Both are promi-
nent young business men and good dem
ocrats. Mr.. Miller Won the place by
very respectable majority. Mark Dev-
ereux was chosen second on the board
and Bert Leach was chosen third.
There was lively contest for superin-
tendent Of schools between DIR. Parsons
and Rev. Mr., Bailey, though so far a.
could see neither of them exhibited any
interest in the matter. Mr.. Bailey was
elected. After the principal officers were
chosen, the large body OF the x-payers
left the hall, and the way the younger
element swung into line on the appro-
priations was refreshing to those who
wanted lots Of money. Our pauper, road
and contingent were larger than for
years.
The meeting dissolved in good feeling
March II. Ii.
OceanvilIe.
Maggie Greenlaw is in town on a visit
w. A. Buckminster is making cans for
Seth * c. II. S. Webb.
The lobster fishermen are getting their
boats off for spring fishermen.
Rev. Mr.. Garland has been holding re-
vival meetings here the past week.
Webb & Greenlaw and Greenlaw x
Greenlaw are catching lobster bait.
Seth & c. II. S. Webb shipped so cases
of Oceanville clans on Tuesday last.
The am-diggers are getting IS a barrel
for their bait. This is a good price for
this time of year.
March u. EUGENE.