Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-25
CAPITOL ISLAND.
A Little Friction Between ASso-
citation and Cottagers.
Some Property Holders Object to
Paying for improvements.
The Association Claims il is Doing Things on
Reasonable Business Basis.

NflNlN-l tNlS OK al Ilpi l~istliti, III
Boothbay Harbor. last season. who will
remember of having overheard, during
their stay on the island sundry re-
marks on the part Of property owners.
and others. relative to the manage
ment of island affairs by the Capitol
Island Association; and We're led to be-
lieVe thereby that behind the glad
spirit of recreation, and the feelings of
restfulness and good will which are in
variably instilled into all who visit
those shores, there lurked a certain
degree OF anXiety-nay, of suspicion.
regarding the doings Of the associa-
ton; and that that body was conduct
ing matters in an arbitrary and des-
rotic way that savored strongly of the
old feudal DAYS.
Nor were these expressed misgivings
confined to the vicinity Of the row Of
cosy cottages whose front windows
look out across the harbOr to Burnt
island. to Ocean Point. and to the bay
called Linekin's. Up on the wharf at
the north end of the island, the boat
men were wont to gather after night
fail. when everything aboard their
GRAFT Iltiti Dttll Illtb''t SINS 49, -
night. and trade opinions regarding the
matter with the utmost freedom.
The question that agitated the skip
pcrs was the payment Of wharfage for
the privilege Of landing. and the opin-
ions entertained as to the justice
If the tax We're lis varied as the
breezes that blow around the island.
But To the credit of the men it should
be said that the majority Of them
looked At the matter in Il reasonable
way.
Meanwhile the season moved steadily
along. June merged into July. and
July into August. ana finally came the
September exodus for home. with the
attendant impressive fareWells at thu
steamboat wharf During the season,
the association had been steadily at
work on the roadway leading from the
north to the south end Of the island.
blasting in several places and getting
il into condition for 4 wagon road if ii
should be so desired. This improve
ment was greatly appreciated by
everybody on the island. but the pleas
ure was marred-tO some-by rumor
that Q baggage express route would be
established over the road the following
season. and that patronage would be
compulsory.
This rumor was discussed (and
cussed with great thoroughness at
intervals during the season, until il
was entirely lost sight Of one day early
in September by the announcement
that on the following Monday morning
the spring from which practically all
the people on the island get drinking
water would be dug out and otherwise
greatly improved. and that thereafter
everybody using water therefrom
would have to pay.
Thus the season ended. and many
people went nome full Of misgiVings
as to the peace and happiness Of Cap
itoI island life. next summer. and it Is
even said that some parties threaten
to sell their cottages because matters
have come to such pass.
With view to obtaining an under
standing in the matter, a Journal re-
porter interviewed a member Of the
association, recently. and learned the
facts in the case, which may be of in
terest.
Some q years have elapsed since
CAPITOL island began to grow as
for camping parties before that date.
but then was when cottages began TO
be built along the eastern shore. They
have since increased in number until
nearly the whole eastern shore is lined
with them. The island, too, has gain
Cd steadily in popularity, and is today.
according to its size. one of the most
attractive summer resorts on the
Maine coast.
CapitoI island is a part of the town
ne eor,thnort. ana owners Of cottages
on the island pay real estate tax to
the town according TO the Nalue o.
THAR nroperty. From this source the
town receives quite a respectable rev
enue. There is a road tax due ne
| island from the town, but untll Wlthlh
! q period of perhaps five years no
money was paid for that purpose.
since that time small amounts nave
heen received annually. varying from
q 70 S25. which have in all amounted
| "a about 800 But improvements nave
haen made by the association every
veor and aside from the sum apoNe
mentioned. the amount paid fof cur
FONT cxDenseS has come out OF tleii
| own pockets -, ,,,,,.:,,o
The work done on the islahd u"l'ns
tho mast summer. especially along the
hignnay. cannot fail to be productive
80 God results. Where but Il year OF
.,.a eirca was a rock and stump IN
tested path which could De 'raIgI'eo
80, onoro-h bv daylight. but when at
49, +i,,,c was A snare and deluSlol'
+,,o,,e now is a level road Il 1eet "iut'
| - tho pedestrians can walk Win
wv ,,,,,oh confidence after dark as dur
ino tn the day. and feel no fear that each
t ~ .n I'd step may land him upon
rock roc or astride stump. The ROAD al; y
~. complete. but next season VIII
~ 80 through to the point me tA-
penpe for the road has been p is,,t IN, y
p pen association. and no contributions
were WEI asked for Of the eO''aserS
Neither were any offered oa, drrirr
Another Improvement MAUI Tb ,re
ne season was at the spring ii''ie
'Ne CONTINUED on page g.