Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-03
NO LITIGATION.
Augusta Wholly Free from Legal
Troubles and Claims.
Gratifying Conditions Shown by Re-
port of City Solicitor Thompson.

Following is the report of City
Solicitor E. NJ. Thompson for the
municipal year just ended:
To the honorable Mayor and City
Council of the City of Augusta:
Gentlemen:-I have the honor here
with to submit the following report of
the law department of the City of Au-
gusta for the municipal year ending
March l, 1903.
At the beginning of the year there
was only one case pending against the
city. This was an action brought By
the inhabitants of Fairfield to recover
for pauper supplies furnished to one
Frank LaPoint. The items in the ac-
count sued were for funeral expenses
and necessaries furnished said La
Point during his last sickness. The
amount of the bill sued was $126SO
This case was entered at the Septem-
Der term of the Supreme Judicial
court for Somerset county, and was
assigned for trial at the following De-
cember term of said court. LaPoint
had been accented in the past as one
of the city's poor. | am informed that
bills presented for the care of members
of his family in times of sickness, have
been paid by the city. Notwithstanding
this fact, the case was thoroughly in
veStigated. There was some doubt as to
the paintif town being. able to establish
liability on the part of the city. The
chances. however, We're favorable to
the town of Fairfield. Such being the
case it was thought best to make IA
compromise offer and the claim was
fino a6i cd on na Of
cents on the dollar. BY this settlement
the interests of the city were in no way
jeopardized. and the case was settled
for much less than the necessary ex-
pense would have been in defending the
same in court of law. 1t was the
Judgment of the overseer of the poor
and myself that the adjustment was "a
favorable one in view of all the facts
in connection with the case.
Only one action against the city has
been begun within the past year. This
was a case brought by Elsie w. Har-
vey to recover damages for injuries to
real property on Stone street, resulting
from a change of grade in said street
In this case the city was relieved from
all responsibility. The change in the
grade of said street was made, pri-
marily, for the benefit of the Augusta,
Gardiner & Winthrop Street Railway
Company, to accommodate it in the
construction of its road bed
By agreement with the city, for GER
tain considerations, the railway COM
pany assumed all damages resulting
from the change of grade. They have
assumed the defense in this case and
will pay all damages resulting from
the same in accordance with the pro-
visions of their agreement with the city.
During the past year we have been
most fortunate as to litigation. With
the exception of the last named case
no actions have been begun either for
OF against the city. No claims of any
kind have been referred to this depart
ment. We began the new year with d
clean docket. The city at the present
time is entirely free from litigation,
and there are no claims of any kind
pending.
Owing to the absence of suits at law
during the past year, the work of the
department has been much less ex-
tensive than in former years. My work
has consisted principally Of consulta-
lions with the officials representing the
fdI lOt!S utiDdi lIletlt5 vi IIG CITY. L
have been called upon to render one
written opinion in relation to an i'm
pOrtant matter in which the city was
involved.
| feel that the city is to be congratu- |
lated on it's freedom from litigation. |
That the beginning of the municipal
year should find it free from all legal
complications and liabilities, should be
a source of satisfaction to our citizens |
Such a condition certainly reflects
great credit on the municipal officers
and heads of departments into whose
keeping our people have intrusted the
important interests of the city.
| would take this opportunity to ex-
press my appreciation of the gracious
cooperation which has always been
extended to me at the hands of the va
rious city officials. Their uniform
kindness and consideration has done
much to aid me in the discharge of my
Euties as city solicitor, which office
have had the honor to hold for the
past three years, and the duties OF
which it has been my honest enGeavof
to faithfully fulfill.
Very respectfully submitted.
E. NJ. THOMPSON
City Solicitor.