Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-06

to exceed $4,000 and that 1t should be
done without raising the tax rate. Mr.
names then stated that the government
had not as yet committed itself to any
thihs In the matter and that it was able
TO go ahead and do what 1t saw fit
There were some taxpayers in the city
who were unalterably opposed to having
hall built anyway. but they were al
most all non-residents Of the city who
cared only for the dividends which their
property could yield and nothing for the
welfare of the city beyond its relation to
their business.
lie said that the City hall matter
was getting to be the disgrace of the
city. and that the people were asham-
ed or 1t. The city was being ridicu'ed
by other places, and it was time that
something was done. He then went
on to show the advantages to the city
OF having good city building and the
disadvantages of not having one.
Times were now good and he believed
that the building ought to be con-
structed. His remarks were very fore
ible. as they usually are, and his argu-
ments sound.
II. X. Durham was then called upon
and supported Mr.. Haines in all ne
had said, and was in favor of the
building of the building this year
RI. ID. Eaton was in favor of work.
ing any scheme that would build the
hall promptly. and was glad that the
government had apparently hit upon
| one.
{. Il. Davis spoke of the disadvan-
tagc Of having the city officers scatter
| ed over the city without the proper
| facilities for work, and of the rec
| ords Of nestimable value to the city
which were stored about the building
| and which would no doubt be lost
should there be fire.
Alderman Leonard then proposed a new
scheme by which the first instaIlment on
| the building could be procured without
getting the city into debt. He proposed
taking the railroad money which, with
the $4,000 held by Mr. BouteIle amounted
to $4,000, sell the old school building on
College avenue, which would bring in
| about sl2oo. and to make up the remain
der of the $4,000 from the uncollected
taxes which are being carried on the
books.
The aldermen then returned to their
room and several matters were brought
before them In the deciding of the CITY
hall matter. Mayor Philbrook vetoed the
order which called for the aking of all
repairs on the bridges OF the city by con-
tract. because II would make it necessary
to receive bills and to give contracts for
even the mailing on Of board onto any
OF the bridges. In spite of this however
the aldermen voted down the veto and
decided that all the work on the bridges
should be done by contract Just the same
The mayor also vetoed the order which
authorized the taking OF the Wiscd ssct
Railroad money and using Ii to pay some
of the outstanding notes of the city. He
gave as his reason for this the fact that
the railroad was liable to be built this
season and that the city might be called
upon to pay the money. The aldermen
sustained his action. The order deman nd
ing that the expenditure of all the money
of the city should be in the control Of the
various committees was also vetoed by
the mayor on account of the delays that
1t must of necessity cause in the tranSac-
ton of the city's business. He was also
sustained in this.
The City hall matter was then taken up
again and the final result was the refer
ring of the order to a committee COM
posed of the mayor and the members of
the old committee which had been ap-
pointed to Investigate the matter before
The committee will report. July u.
An order was then passed authorizing
the treasurer to pay the Watcrvil!e Mill
tary Band $50 for Il concerts. one-haif
to be paid when half of the concerts
have been given and the remainder at
the completion. This means the usual
series of concerts which are 50 much en-
joyed and which have been held for sew
eral years.