Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-14
VAUDEVILLE.
WILL BUILD BRIDGE.
After Much Discussion, City Govern
ment Passes Order.

special meeting of both branches
of the city government was held, Mon
day forenoon, principally for the con-
clusion of unfinished business. The
holding of a city government meeting
during the day is a novelty for Water
vile, or at least a meeting OF both
branches, for there have been fire.
quent meetings in the day time of the
aldermen acting as municipal officers;
but there were seven councilmen and
four aldermen present, good work.
ing force.
The first matter taken up was that
of building the bridge across the Mes
salonskee at the pumping station.
This matter had been referred to the
committee on streets and was reported
favorably at this meeting, and the al
dermen4 promptly passed the accom-
panying order without any show of
opposition being made. According to
the order accompanying the report of
the committee, the city will build a
steel bridge in company with the Wa
terville & Oakland Electric Road, at
a cost for the city not to exceed $3.50,
all the details of the contract between
the two parties to be attended to by
the city solicitor. 1t is understood that
the Electric Road will bear it's pro-
portionate part of the expense of keep
ing the bridge in repair.
The council, however, referred the
matter to the railroad commissioners,
the idea being that they would de-
termne just what part of the ex-
pense the city should bear in build
ing the bridge. When the order came
back to the aldermen they refused to
concur in the action of the council, and
Mayor Davis went down to starighten
out matters.
He explained that the matter was
a simple business proposition made by
the Waterville & Oakland Road to the
city of Waterville and that the rail-
road commissioners could have moth
ing to do with it as such. The only
question to be decided was whether
or not it would be for the best inter-
ests of the city to accept the propo
sition of the road. He stated that he
could not go into the matter as thor
oughly as he wished on account of his
connection with the road and that
whatever happened he should not vote
on it. The council had the report of
Mr.. Booker the engineer, and of it's
committee on streets for it's guidance,
and the thing to do was to decide
whether it was an advantageous thing
for the city.
Councilman Goodrich opposed the ac-
ceptance of the proposition and had
Councilmen Giroux and Spencer on his
side. This made it three to four,
small majority, but one that was APP
G<rI,+ 49, l.,
ditch. Mr. Goodrich took the position
that the bridge could be repaired at
an expense of considerably less than
$3.50 so that it would be in good con-
dition for a number of years. He
thought the sum named was too much
for the city to pay as it's share of
new bridge, and he also thought that
it would be better to let the road build
a bridge of its own near the highway
bridge, than to have teams and cleo
trio cars using the same bridge.
The idea of referring the matter to
the railroad commissioners was quickly
eliminated, but those opposing the
measure stood out for their position
that it would not be an advantageous
thing for the city to accept to propo-
sition. .: 50
What followed reminded one q good
deal of the reports of filibustering in
Congress. The report of the commit
tee on streets was taken from the table
after the roll had been called on a
vote to see whether this action would
be taken. Another role call was neces-
Sary on action on the report, and so
on. The report was called several
times on motions, of various charac-
tiers, but all relating to the subject
under discussion. The minority came
very near winning out, as it was nearly
noon then and several were pretty
anxious to get back to business and |
dinner, and were so tired of the dis |
cussion that they We're almost willing |
to vote any way. The action became
SO involved toward the last that sew
rral We're puzzled and scarcely knew |
how to vote.
But the majority finally rallied and |
charged under the leadership of Presi- |
dent Darviau, who turned the chair /
over to Councilman Goodrich and took /
the floor in behalf of the passage of |
the order. So the order was finally |
passed
The matter of granting 4 permit to |
the Atherton Furniture Co. for build
ing a wooden addition to it's block on
Main street came UP before the al
dermen and was thoroughly discussed.
The company was represented by the
local manager, Mr.: Weed A. G. Bowie
and Hon. Charles +. Johnson. The
wishes to remodel the store
It now occupies and build a large adj
1ition in the rear AS the company
wishes to use wood for the addition |
and the lot is within the fire limits,
t was necessary to get a permit from
he municipal officers. The whole mat
er was gone over pretty thoroughly,
Alderman Union taking a firm stand
or automatic sprinklers in the ad-
iition. He argued his side so well
hat he finally won over the others
md the permit was finally granted
IN the condition that the walls be
covered with metal siding, the roof