Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-01
A UNIQUE GOVERNMENT.
Skowhegan Lawyer Drafts Bill to Have New
Form Of Government.

Skowhegan, Me-, Oct 31.-(Special).-l
A bill embodying an unusual form of
town government by which it is hoped
this town may be governed, rs to be
presented at the next session Of the
Legislature. The citizens are to hold
a special meeting. Tuesday evening,
when it will be decided whether or not
the people are in flavor of having the
bill presented. The form of govern
ment, which is original with Lawyer
Q. r. Bachelor, embodies all the adj
vantages of a city government, yet
with none OF the disadvantages Of the
necessity for salaried positions.
In brief, the idea of the change in
form of government for the town of
Skowhegan, is that the town shall be
divided into seven wards and certain
number of delegates from each ward
shall constitute a council over which a
president shall preside. This council
is to have the general oversight of all
the towns business and in fact is to
have the same power as a city council
Otherwise the form of the government
will not be changed. This town coun-
Gil is to have meetings in place of the
town meetings.
There arenow something like 100 vot-
erS in the town and when the voters
are divided in opinion on any question
it is almost an impossibility to gain a
correct idea of the wishes of the town
at a town meeting on account of the
large number.
The town is one of the most progress
sive in the State, and has everything
that more pretentious places have.
even though the places are cities. On
account of the many improvements
which are made and the desire for more
town improvements differences of opin-
ions Otter arise and which opinion is
supported by the greater number of vot-
ers is often impossible to say on account
of the noise and confusion arising from
SO many citizens.
A year or two ago, one of these meet
ings occurred and while going home
Lawyer Bachelor wondered how they
might be avoided. There has for some
time been talk of changing the form of
government to that of a city. The
opinion is held that this would be to
wreck the town, financially. Those OPP
posed to the change to city form of
government have pointed to other cities
in the State which have been put to a
greater debt on account of the change.
Lawyer Bachelor, after thinking for
some time on the question finally evol-
we'd the plan which has been outlined.
That is to have the town divided into
wards and the aldermen elected from
these wards meet in place of having
town meetings..
1t is the plan to elect president to
preside over the meetings of the board.
Any ordinance in order to be passed
must receive the majority vote of all
the members present. When there is a
wish to veto an order the power is not
placed in the hands of the president
must file objections. It is then neces-
sary to secure a two-thirds vote in or
der to secure the passage of the bill.
The power to elect all the town Off
GERS is to be given the council. More
than this the officers are under the su-
pervision of the council Since the
council has the charge of all the expen-
ditures of money the council really acts
as a board of municipal officers.
All those who have seen the bill as
drafted by Mr.. Bachelor, are much
pleased at the manner in which he has
solved such perplexing question.
If the bill is supported and passed by
the Legislature meeting of the town
will be held to see whether or not it
shall be accepted.