Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-17
AT City Hall on the Water
District Question.
H. M. Heath, G, c. Sheldon, 7. }.
Lynch and H. E. Dunnack Speak.
An Enthusiastic Expression by Citizens
for Pure Water.

| llOl 50 sc oOQDlleSS dS WOuIQ nave
been the case had there not been made
a public announcement that the Au-
gusta Water Co. would not oppose the
passage of the bill now before the
| Legislature for municipal ownership of
our water supply. Many regarded the
question us settled and governed
| themselves accordingly.
Mayor Gustavus A. Robertson pre-
| sided and stated the purpose of the
meeting to be consideration of the
present proposition for the city to ac-
quire its water works. He was glad
! to have such an opportunity as this.
| but he wasn't going to make a speech.
He made his speech at his inaugural in
| the morning.
| Alderman George G. Sheldon was the
! first speaker and discussed at some
| length the need of different water
| supply, and the practicability of the
| scheme now evolving. He gave the
measure his hearty approval, as it was
along the lines that he had always ad-
vocated.
Mr.. Sheldon explained clearly and
forciby tie salient features of the
proposition for Augusta to own and
control it's own water system and sup
ply. He showed that it could be legal
ly done, citing the case of the incOr
poration of Waterville and Fairfield in
to the kennebec Water District, which
was upheld as constitutional by our
supreme court in the case of Kennebec
Water District KS. the City of Water
Vile ct ais, SO Me. 234. The objections
to the old system of private ownership
n that tho nCpp1a ~ rho city h1Na n
control over the purity of the water or
the equity of the rates charged for it.
Under public ownership the very first
question which will be determined is
the purity of the source of supply.
Again, the people of the Water District
Will have access to the books and will
know whether they are getting value
received. We are not here to condemn
the past, or any men associated with it,
but to advocate a new system for the
future which we think based upon the
soundest principles of law, upon the
safest principles of finance and upon
the sourlest moral reasons, ought to be
adopted by the people of this city.
(Applause).
Hon. Herbert M. Heath was the next
speaker and gave an exhaustive and
able exposition of the bill. He spoke
as follows:
This is 4 great question for the peo-
pie of this city, and one which, before
it is gone into by the people, ought to
be thoroughly understood from a legal,
as well as business standpoint. I'm
der the constitution of this State no
city can run in debt for more than
per cent. of its valuation. Our debt,
ever since | knew anything about Au-
Susta, has been substantially 5 per
cent. Whenever it has been little be-
low it, it has been so near it as not to
give us the right to borrow money to
any considerable extent, certainly
never at any time to the extent of
building a system of water works of
our own, or Of buying an existing
plant.
In 1850 a broad charter was granted
to the Augusta Water Company. Older
men here will recollect that we then
had the little, simple pipe service of
the Devine Water Company ard the
old wooden acqueduct pipes of the Au
gust Water Company, both of them
furnishing a very poor supply for
drinking purposes, and we had nothing
for fire protection. About that time
the building of large systems of wa
telworks outside of Bangor and Port
land began in this State. There came
Z necessity for being up with the times
and for having our property protected
and fer having an abundance of water
suitable at least for inside house ser
vice SO in 1855 the old charter of the
Augusta Water Company was broaden.
ed out and the company was given the |
right to take water from the Kenne-
bee river. from Weber pond, Silver |
lake, and Cobbosseecontee. The first |
proposition in this water bill is that in |
addition to that, the Water District if |
formed, shall also have the right to |
take water from China lake. In 1887 |
the charter of the company was amend |
ed so as to take in the city of HalIowell |
and the town of Chelsea. You are all |
familiar with the service by this com
pany of the Soldiers Home in Chelsea.
Now. think the word "Hallowelr' in
the legislation may in the future be-
come of financial Importance to us
today, owns its own water /
work, but it takes its supply from 4 u
brook on the top of the hill where they II
have impounded their water with Il Il
dam, and it is quite possible and prac-
ticabIe and businessike to believe that II
in the course of time. IL we were draw II
ing a good supply of water from a good !,
source, Hallowell might be willing to
do with us what they have always been
to do with the Augusta Wa
ter Company, and that is to take their
water by connection with our mains;
and if they should, it would be source
of revenue to the people here. 4
In 1885 the Augusta Water Company
was authorized to issue 100000 of stock
and 100000 Of bonds. In 1887, before
they built their works, they were au-
to issue $250,0G0 of stock which,
according to the returns filed with the
secretary of State. they did, and they
were authorized to issue bonds without
limit The records at the registry Of
deeds show that they issued. as l. re-
Continued on page % |