Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-16
CITY CHARTER.
Committee on Revision
Meets, Saturday.
Hears Suggestions on Certain
Subjects, from Many Citizens.
Want Common Council Abolished, and
City MarsFPi Chosen by Mayor.

The second public meeting of the
special committee of the city govern
ment was in session at City hall, Sat
urdey evening. 9 goodly representa-
| ton of citizens being present. After
calling the meeting 70 order. Mayor
Hichboi'n explained that the committee
was appointed for the purpose of re-
ceiving suggestions from citizens in re-
gard Ia making rcVisionS iii the city
charter. The ma! or then proceeded to
read the letter received a { the previous
meeting from Alderman Marley, the
items 81 which have already been pub
lishcd, ana gave opportunity for dis
cuSsion or suggestions from the floor.
The discussion was opened by Col. f.
G. Harrington. who declared himself in
accord with the suggestion of the COM
munication from Mr.. Marley as far as
the recommendation or abolishing the
common council was concerned. and
suggesting that two aldermen be chos-
en- from each ward. and eight at large.
making the same number of men in
control of affairs as at pre- sent.
Further suggestions We're made by
M. Harrington III regard to the Sprink-
ling of the city streets recommending
that the free srrinkling now accorded
in certain paris Of the city be abolished
and that the expense he met by sub
scrption from the owners of the abut-
ting property Correspondence and sta
tistics We're ;ntroduc ID by the speake.-
from the cities of Portland and Hart
ford. Ct, showing that the sprinkling
is done in those places al Il much low
er expense rae than III Augusta.
Joseph Villa msOn was EeXt called
upon by the mayor. and in n short but
effective address he pointed out some
pertinent facts in regard to the city's
welfare. Mir. Williamson maintained
that III tie last 90 yeas there has been
a f6 per cent. increase in city eXpendi-
lures without a corresponding increase
iii property :aiuns, which fact, induC-
ing increased rates IF taxation, is re-
sponsihle for the period of staSnation
in building industries. which is serious
~ detrimental to the oity'S progress.
Mr.. Williamson suggested that it would
be desirable to make the city govern
ment D non-Dart:san body as would be
the case with any business corporation.
maintaining som" system by which the
best mon should be elected to and kept
in public office.
Thomas j. Lynch vas next called up
on by the mayor. Mr.. Lynch expressed
himself in sympathy with the remarks
already made. sewing that increased
taxation il a burden severely felt by
merchants ana n3echa. ics. and that a
closer watch should ba kept upon the
small avenues Of expense. Among otheY
suggestions Offered by Mr.. Lynch was
hot Of hi hi
mission. consisting Of three members,
retaining the Office in such manner that
the work would .e done By experienced
men. Mr. Lynch further suggested that
the city government be vested in
small body. after the model o. the New
England town meeting. and the board
of assessors b" chosen by the people.
Following Mr. Lynch. Abner Nichols
renied that he believed in u small body
nf officials, but that the spirit Of the
New England town meeting was to put
the Legislative function in the hands of
a large body and he bc;ieN ed that in Il
city government, this function should
be as near the people as possible
Messrs. Warl. Blackington, Morse |
and Tracey Wrrn also called upon and !
gave expression to opinions of a SINH |
lar nature to those already spoken of. |
The general consensus of CI.niOn SEEM |
ed to he in favor of clecting assessors |
by the vote Of the people, and the ap- |
pointlnent Of city marshal by the may
or.
At the close Of discussion. on mo-
ton Of Mr.. Mailer, the public meeting |
was adjourned. and the committee |
went iato executive session, to report |
at the ,ccial meeting on Monday even |
ing. Jan. %.