Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-17
A PUBLIC PARK.
Order introduced in the Civ
Government, Last Night.
Looking Toward the Purchase Of the
Old Driving Park
To Be Used as a Public Park and
Playground.

The regular monthly meeting of the
city council was held, Monday evening.
In the absence of the mayor, Alderman
Manley presided, and concurrent bust
ness was transacted as follows:
Roll of accounts No. II, amounting
to $6o26.36, was approved and ordered
paid.
It was ordered that committee of
the mayor, three aldermen and three
councilmen, the aldermen and council
men to he appointed by the mayor, and
such number of citizens of Augusta as
the mayor may deem proper, beinvited
by him to join said committee of the
city government to inquire into the ex
pediency of securing to the people of
Augusta what is called the trotting
park, for pleasure grounds, said COM
mittee to report to the city council at
such time as it may deem wise and
best.
In connection with the above order.
the following communication was Oh
fered in common council, by Council
man Harrington:
Mr. President: In Offering this ORDER
] desire to call the attention OF the com
mon council 70 what a,1n mus ho p Sty ap af Am
gt,sta is Il small city, it holds Il prominent
place among the cities OF the state, p
cause OF the fact that 1t IS the oaPa.i,i
city of the State. one need ohly iooh
through our business streets ana compare
them with what they were ID years ago TO
he reminded that commercially tne city
is fast becoming great center OF trace;
our residential portions have also gained
i'm prominence. The facilities for school
ing the children have been largely I'M
proved, our school houses models OF eau
walks and sewer system have Kept pace
with the other improvements
While all this has been taxing pace no
adequate grounds have been provided Tor
the Young either in schools or otherwise,
where they can without trespassinS upon
the rights of others enter INTO the games
which now have become Il part OF the HE
of both young and old. Whatever may he
said about the necessity OF athletic sports,
pro and con, they have largely entered In
to The life of the nation and that com
munity is a back number which does not
give opportunity for them. Children and
young people are driven from streets to
their hilarity. TIL they are cast out from
the fields of legitimate sports. They
should have a place to meet where they
can pursue their games unmolestcd. Nor
have the mothers any place to take thei
children out Tor breath of fresh air
unless upon the crowded streets where
neither quiet nor comfort can be had. Nor
has the city any place which it can open
ana hold agricultural Industrial fairs,
which means much in many ways for Its
prosperity.
| know of but one place, that spoken of
in the order. the so-callcd 'rrottins park,
which ! have reason to believe can be Sc
cured, and | have no doubt from what
may be judged of the owners. at a less
price than it could be got by private par
tics: also that it is unreasonable to expect
that this property will remain available
for a much longer tire At any rate. Il
committee. such as the mayor may ap-
tlcmcn which he may invite to unite witt
it from among The citizens of the city
will be able not only to consider this
matter in all its bearings and report
som" measure or advice whereby a public
park and play grounds may BECOME bne
Of the attractive and useful features. of
this promising city,
Certainly it would seem that there mus,
4 be public spirited men of means who
would be glad to lend a helping hand foi
this purpose.
The city treasurer was authorized
and Instructed to refund the legal rep
rcsentativcs of the late Chas. A. Thorn
as the sum of 81, on account of taxes
enormously paid by Mr.. Thomas on a
blacksmith shop never owned by him,
during the year 1899, 1860 and 1891.
The oVerseer of the poor was author
lied and directed to draw from the
Sllowhegan Savings Bank al moneys
standing in the name o. l.ufuS smith
and credit the same to the city of Au-
susta, signing all proper and necessary
receipts and vouchers.
The city clerk was ordered to GER
tfy to the city treasurer the fact
whether or not Edwin j. Philbrook has
complied with the conditions of the or
der of April 20, relating to the removal
of the phosphate factory on Bond brook
road. .
An order was passed authorizing the
mayor to have the pest house repaired
BE- and made fit for occupancy, the cost
not to exceed $500.
The Augusta City hospital was given
4 fac free use Of City hail on the evenings
OF Oct. ?, 1909. and Jan. L. 1891.
It was ordered that a license be