Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-17
STATE HOUSE.
Good Roads Appropriation
Available This Year.
No Money Provided for Work Do:e
in 1901.
Case ct Smallpox Found in the Town
of Springvaie. ..-.


among State officials as to the proper
construction to be placed upon the law
PASSED last winter for the improvement
OF State roads. The question being agi.
tated is whether the provisions of the
law apply to the year 1901 and 1902. II
Is commended by some that the towns
which complied with the law last veal
are entitled to the stipend allowed, that
is. one-half of the money expended by
them in addition to their regular high
way appropriations not exceeding 500
While on the other hand, it is contend
cd that no towns are entitled to any
benefit for the year 1901. but that the
money appropriated was for use in 1902
The latter contention seems the more
reasonable. for the law appropriates nc
money to be used for the year 1901
whereas Section of the act states:
For the purpose of carrying out the
provision of this act the sum of $4,000
is hereby appropriated for the year
1907
! The act was introduced by Represen-
tative Moulton of South Portland, in
the early days of the session. but it was
rot finally passed until the closing
hours. 1t was considered by the COM
mittee on State lands and State roads,
of which Mr.. Moulton was a member
, The understanding at the time was
/ that no money would be given by the
i State for work done in 1901, but that
the sum of $4,000 should be appropri-
ated for 1902. Mr.. Moulton's original
bin contemplated covering 1901. and the
bill was amended so as to have it be-
come operative ION and after the first
day Of January" Although no year is
stated in this clause of the bill it is
Reasonable to suppose that it meant
Jan. l. 1902. The bill was passed by the
House on yea and nay vote, 81 to Sc,
on March 20. and two days later was
approved by the Governor and went
into effect.
1t was too late for the towns at their
annual meetings to take action upon
the matter. al most town meetings had
Their been held.
Speaker Manley was asked by the
, writer, Saturday. as to his understand
ing of the provisions of the law, and he
said his impression was that it was
generally understood it was not to ap-
ply to work done in the year 1901, but
Was to go into effect after the first of
January, 1902.
There was no appropriation made
for the year 1901 said Mr.. Manley.
But $4,000 was appropriated for the
year 1902
1t is further argued that the clause
at the close Of Section g. which pro-
vides that such aid shall be paid from
the State treasury on and after the
first day of January" means that no
stipend shall be paid for the year 1901
until after Jan. l, 1902; and that no
stipend shall be paid for 1902 work until
after Jan. 1. 1903. If this construction
is correct. then nearly the entire ap-
preparation of $4,000 specifically made
for the year 1902 must revert to the
State treasury on the 31st day of De-
cember Of this year. And if towns seek
to take advantage Of the law this year
they must run the chances Of securing
IAN appropriation from the Legislature
of 1903. Only five towns in the whole
State have thus far sought to secure
aid for work performed in 1901, in ac-
lcordance with the rules laid down, and
these towns cannot receive, even If the
law applied to 1901 work. more than
800 each or $500 in all. Therefore, $14,-
| 800 must be returned to the State treas
| Dry.
| Last year, Al towns notified the sec
rotary of State that they had appro-
prated special sums for the improve
ment of State roads in their respective
towns, but most of these must later
have realized that theyicould get no aid
from the State for the year 1901, be-
cause only five towns have filed certifi-
Gates showing that the amounts appro-
priated by them; had been expended.
Now that town meetings for 1902 are
shortly to be held it is essential if any
town wishes to take advantage Of the
appropriation of $4,000 for road i'm
provemAnt that it shalf follow the in
structions contained in. the law, The
following order. OF pf0ceiure should be.
carefully adhered to by towns desiring.
State Gid in Improving roA DIS:
l Article III town warrant for an APP
proprfatien with. power 9 aasE 'l'@-' -
2+Desfgnatien Of highway as a State
road BY the County commissioners
S-Notlcesto. secretary, Of State that
an appropriation has been made.
mike repairs before Aug 1.
Sworn return madeto county COM
mssioners before Sept. /. as to amount
appropriated and expended, the amount
of road improved and the character of
tn, work Done .1,5, tt.-..s So.
6-1nspection of improvements by
county commissioners who shall cer-
tify to Governor and Council the
amount each town is entitled to receive
Amy tewn. dissatisfied with decision
of county commissioners may appeal to
lGovernor and Council
/ There is no doubt that towns comply
ling with these rules and regulations
may secure State aid this year up to
the amount of the appropriation. The
towns notifying the secretary of State
that appropriations have been. made
will take precedence in the order in
which such notice Is received. The
maximum sum which each town is en-
titled to is one-half Of the amount ex-
Ipended not exceeding 500.
Towns following the order Of pro-
cedure as above laid down will expert
fence no difficulty in securing their sti-
PEND any time after the first of Sep
1 TENDER: that is. after the county COM
missioners shall have INSPECTED and