Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-23
Daily ksnnsbse journal
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from page p

lature of granting the county commits
sioners authority to place an interest
hearing bonded debt on the county in
submitting the matter to the legal vot-
ers of the county.
First: The probable fixing Of the
value of the old bridge at sum much
larger than $4,000. Indeed / UNDER
stand the assessed value of the old
bridge is twice that figure, and it is
not reasonable to suppose the stock
holders will permit it to be scaled
down one-half without strenuous
contest
Second: The early necessity ana de-
mand for the renewal of the bridge by
q costly steel one. suitable for electric
ear service, etc.
These are the propositions concerning
this bridge which will confront the two
cities ana the county too. If this I.e.is-
,ature forces it into partnership With
III TWO cities in the purchase of this
bridge. True this bill does not reveal
such propositions ana purposes. and if
# specifically renowned them, il would
make no difference. one Legislature
cannot bind an other, ana does any
gentleman from the country towns of
Panobscot county. or amy senator in
this body. for one moment doubt that
when il shall have been aScertained
mat more than $4,000 is required to
nav half the price of the old bridge.
and decided that new steel one is re-
ouired. Bangor and Brewer will appeal
~ another Legislature to compel the
county TO pay the excess above $12,0
of one half the purchase price OF the
bridge. and also one-half the cost of
the new steel structure. and base their
strongest argument on the fact that
nv the action of the Legislature of 1891.
rhe county was made to pay half
th, purchase price of the old structure.
,hsn underestimate at $4,000. ana
thus became partner in the enter
nrise. and morally bound to pay a full
half Of the cost Of tile old bridge. and
10 contribute in like degree towards its
renewal?
Does anyone doubt that with the in
creased representation which the two
cities will probably have under the
new apportiUnment. at the expense Of
the country districts, and the Well
known strength Of their influence
throughout the county. they Will sue
coed, if we give them the benefit of the
percedent which the passage of this
hin will estahlis? Does anybody doubt
that the county will be in for not only
III $4,000 which this bill carries. but
in the end for not less than $50, COO?
90 YOU think. senators. such an out
come will be right. and just to the
citizens Of the 10 towns not directly
benefited? Do YOU think they will ris'-
M and call us blessed il we take this
first step in placing such an inequitable
burden upon them?
No Mr. President. this proposition
is wrong in principle ana wrong as
precedent | have tried to bring my
self into accord with the majority of
my county delegation in this matter.
but confess | cannot do it. / confess
| cannot see any semblance of justice
and equity in forcing by legislative en-
actment the town of Dexter to contrib
ute the $40 required for her part of the
$4,000 even towards this bridge. when
she has to support her own bridges
without outside aid. nor Exeter Ell''
nor Hampden $2t0. nor Lincoln $780,
nor Old Town 1872. nor Plymouth Sol,
nor Patten $50, nor Hermon $125, nor
LeGrange $50. nor Orono $500, nor
Corinth $l43. and 50 on with the other
towns in proportion to their valuation.
with the probability that they viii
have to pay five times these amounts
before they see the end of the bridge
matter. | think the county should help
mi l.
tiles and not the strongest and rlcheSt'
and even such help, if it neceSsltateS
the borrowing of money on the part Oh
the county. should not be compelled ny
the Legislature until opportunity mas
been given the taxpayers ana leSal
voters to pass upon the question ana
ratify or refuse to ratify the loan:
Upon this principle | stand, ana al
though only one or two other members
of my county delegation stand with me,
! believe | am right. and 50 believing
cannot yield my position without MAKING
this defence 1t is not pleasant t" nav
TO differ from ones friends and assocl-
ateS. It is a real regret for me to do so.
How much easier it is to float with the
tide than to try to stem it: to ran II Will
our friends plans, schemes ana pt.i i7ft,,
rather than to refuse lfltih- i'b' ~
as | would cherish the approhailoIl %
friends, | cherish the appreciation "a Hin HI,
conscience more. In any event Shdh
have the consciousness that ! nave uoh'
the right thing. as ! hay" been able |"
see what was right. and stood for justice
and equity for all the nunicipailties a wv
citizens Of my county. e$pccldiLE ioi
those whom | the more Immediately re-.
resent and VINO. hence, nave the ht9
right to expect me to be WdtcHi n ,'"'
careful Of their rights and interests
Mr. President this proposition 10 az
thorze and empower the county conlIIitN
sioners Of PenobScot county 10 Issue ny
bonds of the county for $l2,Wp. Wlthoil
vote of the legal voters o. ne toIllS>
upon the question. is to be followed pl
a proposftion to authorize and empower
them to issue county bonds to the armour
Of $l25000 without submitting the que"
ton TO the legal voters 81 the county l"i
the purpose Of building new cour
house
Now the main feature of this last prop
ost,ion is not in itself wrong ana unJus
as is the proposition in regard 70 th'
bridge inaSmuch rs a new court mouse
is needed and will be tn" property Of th'
county. ana The, whole county ought t
pay for it when built: bat ! submit IL l:
not right lust safe. EOr good ana SoGn'
business policy even. locking t. thc fi!Nof
able marketing Of the bonds. e hiN'
1871. 900 worth Of them at their face N:tiiv
issued and put upon the market Wth"u
the approval of the proposition DN M
legal voters of the county Hence. ~
the reasons have tried to set forth II
the course of this speech, and further. Ii
order that the action of the Legislature
in not recurring the approval OF the lSSu