Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-05-13
A City Kingdom.

structions from his royal master and tn
anXlously waiting people of Barre ar
at last permitted to know something de
finite about the price to be paid tn,
Barre Water Company for its plant.
The Official Organ, coming out will
scare headlines announces that Mr.
Goodhue will accept $133,OOO. Well
who wouldn't. Mr. Goodhue is eyi
IDENTIFY losing none Of his astutyness witt
increasing age, and if he disposes of his
water system at that figure he has made
one OF the best trades in his life time.
The o. O. also says that the city
council has decided to pay it. Why
didn't the big double o tell the citizens
about this some time ago2 Can it be
that they are suppressing any of the
newsP If so, at whose bidding.
What do the taxpayers of our city
think of the "oflicial" price on the
waterworks? Do they remember time
before the recent city election, when a
man holding a high official position in
the city government repeatedly declar-
ed that the system could be purchased
for 100000? That was before two of
the three commissioners had been selec-
ted from Boston and vicinity, and before
the power behind the throne had done
escort duty to and from the trains at the
arrival and departure of the Hyde Park
expert.
This was before the injunctions had
been obtained against the various spring
water companies. Why this great
change in front and figures by certain
parties connected with the city govern
mentP Only when to the public are re-
vea!ed the secrets OF the executive coun-
Gil meetings and the "horseshedding
done by certain ment will the people in
general be able to obtain clear under
standing of the present situation. Some
will never care to know. They like to
be led around by the nose, and there are
those who like to lead them.
On the 2Sth of April TELEGAM re-
preventative learned that the city coun-
Gil was in session in the office of f. w.
Bisbee, attorney for the Barre Water
Company, and that Mr.. Goodhue was
present. OF course this meant some-
thing important and the TELEGRAM re-
porter waited around for the adjourn
ment of the meeting. Soon the mayor
wreathed in smiles, then
came MIR. Goodhue. looking as man
will who has made good bargain.
The reporter stopped one of the alder
men and ask if the price had been fixed
on the water plant. The mayor, who
was crossing the street with the editor
of the Official Organ, came up before
the man could answer and said, "Here,
want to talk with YOU" and hustled
him away. Since that time whenever
representative of the TELEGRAM has APP
preached member of the city council
every one OF them has been as mum as
IN oyster, excepting on rare occasions
when they were caught unawares and
Internationally dropped word in con-
versatl0n.
1t was in one of these conversations
hat the TELEGRAM first gained suifi-
,icnt information on which to base the
statement that the aldermen and Good
lue had agreed on II price that would be
1t least $130,000. When we stated
his the Official Organ was silent. Did
t have instructions to keep stillp The
TELEGRAM lahors undeS the disadvant-
we of not being in the ring that now
CONTROLS the city, hence we were obliged |
lin the price would be about $4,000. |
The next day both the Mayor and the
Official Organ" informed us that we
we're guessing. Rather good guessing
wasn't it, when We are denied every
means of ascertainng the sum? What
to the taxpayers think of our guessing
lualitiesP
On Friday. after hearing the resolat-
on passed Thursday evening for spec
al city meeting to bond for the purchase
'rice Of the water plant, we began afresh
o learn, if possible the price agreed
lpon with Mr.. Goodhne. Not an alder.
nan would talk more than a minute on
he subject and would not then tell any,
hing of Importance The city clerk did
10. claim TO know anything about it. the
dayor was out of the city. Note the
ituation.
That afternoon the Official Organ
'rntcd what il claimed were the exact
prms of the trade with Mr.. Goodhue.
Where did it get its informationp Was
"guess work" or did it know about it
II along. Where does it get such ac-
urate official newsP Is any city official
financially interested in that paper?
The TELEGRAM did, however manage
0 name practically the figure agreed
pon with Goodhue, despite all efforts