Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-20


large measure. for our freedom from
annoyance, and has lulled us into
fancied security. have heard this in
timated by certain Of the officials, and
do not know that it is not true. 1
am also told that there should be an
officer to every thousand of inhabi-
tants.
1t strikes me that an arbitrary basis
of that kind cannot be wisely applied.
l say, in opposition, that 1t Is quality,
not quantity, that counts; that there
are other considerations than numbers
to take into account, in estimating
necessary police force.
I can easily see that 4 compact city,
with a heterogeneous population con-
tanning a large percentage of the H.
literate and the vicious, might need a
police force as large as that indicated;
while a city of large area. containing
Homogeneous population, a large
part of it in rural districts, and hav-
ing a small percentage of the law
breaking class, would need a much
smaller force.
This city certainly belongs in the lat
ter class. And it is because of this that
1 have been led to inquire whether or
not q reduction can safely be made in
our police force. l am frank to say
that it seems TO me that we could get
along with six officers. A reduction of
two would mean a saving in ten years
of more than $4,000. Now II 1T Is safe
to do so, this amount ought to be saved.
believe the taxpayers OF the city
would be glad to see the experiment
tried. It would involve the re-arrang-
ing Of beats, but that, it seems to me,
can be done without detriment to the
service, and without jeopardiZing the
interests involved.
1 cannot think that the police officers
are the makers of the peace senti-
ment in this city. believe it to be in
bred and Unborn; and because l be-
lieve it exists here, and that therefore
there is not the requirement for police
service that might otherwise be, l call
the matter to your consideration.
1 have reports from other cities In
the State of near our size,-although
think not in our class otherwise
which indicate that even then we are
employing a larger force than the aver
age small city employs. And while our
city is not q sure criterion by which
to Judge the needs Of any other, still,
it may be worth something to consider
what other municipalities have, by ex-
perience, found to be satisfactory.
Making, then, a comparison between
the various communities and existing
local conditions, a fairly safe conclusion
ought to be reached.
respectfully refer this matter to
CHI a
to refer it to your committee on police,
for their careful investigation.
Before proceeding with his address
to the convention, on the police Mayor
Hichborn said that he did not present
the matter for discussion at the pres
ent meeting, but wanted all to give 1t
their most careful consideration, and
suggested that it be referred to the
committee on police, and after the con-
vention was dissolved, it was SO re-
ferred in concurrence, with instructions
that the committee report at the next
regular meeting of the council.
In the way of concurrent business.
the usual monthly budget was disposed
of as follows:
Roll of accounts No. 6, amounting to
$355755, was approved and ordered
paid.
An order was passed allowing police
officers one weeks vacation during July
and August, the same to be fixed by
the city marshal, and no extra expense
to be incurred by the city.
An order was passed providing that
the city hold in trust the sum Of $3.50
under the will of Eliza J. Folger, for
the preservation of her burial lot, ac-
cording to Section of Chapter IA of
the revised ordinances of the city.
Two petitions asking that a regular
day officer be appointed to patrol State
street, Western avenue and such streets
in that vicinity as the mayor and city
marshal shall direct, was referred to
the committee on police.
A petition for the appropriation and
expenditure of the sum of $1,000 on the
Bangor road, from Pettingil's Corner,
opposite Harvey's machine shop, north
erly, and undertaking such pieces as
may be needed, under direction of the
mayor and the committee on highways
and sewers, was referred to that COM
mittee.
Permission was granted such persons
and firms as may desire, to retail fire.
works from the date of the meeting to
July 5. inclusive, under such restric-
tions as the mayor may impose.
Tho report of the committee on high
ways and sewers, and the city solicitor.
on the claim of Annie Z. Ellis and Ad
die Wood executives Of the last will
and testament of Mary l.. Pierce,
against the city, for damages to lot
of land on Bangor street recommend
ed the payment Of 500 in full settle
ment of all claims, and was accepted.
The committee on highways and sew
ers was ordered to inquire into the ex-
pediency of disseminating the sidewalk
on Commercial street, from Bridge
street to Market square, and to report
at the next regular meeting of the
council.
A petition for a street from Wyman
street to South Chestnut street, was re-
ferred to the committee on highways
and sewers.
An order for a ~ O'clock series light
on Court street. between State and
Chapel streets, opposite the house