Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-21
Mayor Hiehborn's Inaugural Address

Hichborn which is published in full
elsewhere in this mornings issue'
should he given a careful readihg ny
every citizen Of Augusta. II Is ciea'
concise, and able presentation OF
municipal conditions and needs. WhiH
the address is short one. 1t IS never
theless complete and COMPREHENSIVE
We confess that we do not see now IL
would have been possible for anyone ~
have condensed more information anu
practical suggestion into the Sa'''c
space. 1t will rank as one of the aoiest
inaugural addresses ever delivered III
this city.
Mavor Hichborn's financial state
ment in particular will appeal to the
voters of Augusta. by its difect'ieSa
and clclrness. 1t is the most cohpie''
and satisfactory statement OF the H'''i
Ith,t has ever come to our attention.
Citizens generally can but feel grained
NJ the proof it presents OF careful
conservative and thoroughly BUSINESS
like administration Of our city finances.
Tor SOME wears past the various
MAYORS and City Councils have pur-
sucd a consistent and continuous policy
of having the bonded debt of the city
as rapidly as it has n,atured. AS L
result Mayor Hichborn points out that
| no less than $GS, 100 of this debt has
been paid during the past six years
notwithstanding the frrt that during
| this period nearly $50 900 in outlaweI
and uncOllectible taxes has been
charged off the treasurer's books. Not
| only has this splendid record been
| made in the way of permanent deb:
reduction, but during the same period
no less than 1000 mas been saved and
| laid by for an emergency fund. Dur
ing these years which witnessed such
n marked and gratifying reduction in
our bonded debt. no floating debt has
| been created. We believe. in view OF
| these facts. that Mayor HichbOrn is
| entirely justified when he declares THAI.
lit il, doubtful if any New England city
| can surpass this record"
The Journal was Of the opinion thd'
n mistake was made in not reaching all
amicablc settlement -.ith the Edwards
Manufacturing Company on the ques-
| tion OF taxation. This company is a
very vital factor in the prosperity of
| our city. and it should be the policy of
orr people to maint ain towards it a
friendly ana liberal spirit. This should
be specially true Of the mill plant
proper. its equipment. ard stock on
| hand, both Of raw material and Of fin
ished product. The same liberal usage
might also with all proprety be ac-
corded the company on the properties
owned by it outside of mill limits and
used for the actual housing Of its oper-
atives. Gcncrdl business blocks and
houses leased to people rot in the mill
employ should stand upon the same
basis as other city property. The
amount Of this class property is not
large as compared With the total hold
irgs Of the company in Augusta; but
the competition it invOkcs was the
basis of the arguments which We're
used in securing tn. adverse decision
| on the proposition looking to an
amicab;e adjustment of existing diff
ferences between the company and the
city. While the point We make is not 4
vital Ole, either to the company or to
| the city. IS a matter of dollars and
cents. its has operated as a constant
irl ital,t with a large number Of our
citizens. many of whom reside i'm the
mill section Of our city. We believe
q proposition fully as favor able to the
Edwards Company as the che previous
ly submitted but which eliminated
from the start this particular source OF
difference would cOn1rand the APP
prevail OF our citizens. An adjustment
of this character would certainly be
an end to be earnestly desired both by
the company. and oy the city. Litis
CATION is expensive and uncertain and
should be avoided wherever possible.
! Moreover. it should be the policy of our
city to maintain at all times towards
its great industries an attitude of
liberal and friendly interest.
Mayor HchbOrn is to he commended
in his earnest desire to secure re-
huction il, cur prcScn. rate of taxation.
This is often source OF criticism at
election time: but is apt to be lost sigh:
Of at other seasons of thu year. The
new city council is no sooner sworn
into Office. than the most vociferous Of
the ante-claction critics come swoop-
ing down upon it with petitions for
I'll manner of municipal improvements.
apparently oblivious of The fact that il
is the granting Of just such requests
that builds up the tax-!atc which they
later take such Il virtuous delight in