Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-17
A. Communication.
Editors Kennehec Journal

Editors Kennebec Journal.
l have been much interested in the
various communications, in your col
umns, on the Park Commissions re-
port in favor of the purchase of the
Fort Western tract Of land, It seems
to me that, at this time, the question
of purchasing the Trotting park should
not be allowed to complicate the uues-
ton at issue. By order of the CITY
Council the Park Commission found
out for what sum the Fort Western
tract could be bought for park pur-
poses, and duly reported its findings
and opinions to the City Council.
The question now to be decided by
the City Council are: 1st, whether the
city needs n park. I'd, If that particular
tract of land is the most desirable and
available. Sd, whether the price set is
reasonable, and 4th, whether the city
finances warrant such an expenditure.
AS to Item l, it seems to me there
can be no considerable difference Of
opinion. Monument park, situated in
the heart of the residential section of
our wealthy citizens, fills a certain pur-
pose well, but it must be remembered
that Monument park was a gift to the
city, and that it is such a small parcel
Of land as to furnish scant breathing
space to those of our people who most
need the relief park should afford.
Capitol park, which was started with
q great flourish of trumpets. and which
cost the city S12f3.6O in the years 1900
and 1901, bears silent testimony to the
fact that TO be used, and therefore use
full, a park must be easily accessible
The people did not go there and fin
ally the City Council practically aban-
dOned the project after at least S1243.G0
had been wasted in attempting to make
it success.
The historic interest surrounding
Fort Western, of course, makes that
particular locality desirable, but the
fact that that tract of land is SO easy
Of access to our working population
answers, l think, the second question.
The people want a park that they can
see as they so to and from their daily
business. and one they can get to with
out expense. Let man work all day
and it is doubtful if he cares to walk
couple of miles to get to a park, and
yet, he cannot afford to go if it costs
him anything to get there. He is just
the man we want park for.
AS to the fairness of the price set,
1t is sufficient to say that this property
is not for sale at any price except to
the city for park purposes only.
Now, can IL e city afford to make the
expenditure? We have had six years
of businesslike administration and
economy, have paid off about $4,000
of our bonded debt, saved up a good
surplus. increased our valuation, and
put things in first class shape The city
is way below its 5 per cent. debt limit
and can sell its bonds at a premium.
1t seems to me it is about time to gath
er some of the fruits. There are some
of us who would like to see some Of
the good things before we die. especial
ly when we believe we have before us
proposition to buy piece of proper
ty. very valuable now and constantly
increasing in value, at most moder-
ate price.
OF course we can wait for the ma
tional government to give us another
Insane hospital, for the State and
county to further increase their proper
ty here, for private individuals to give
us another library, or High school, or
High school athletic field. or provide
what they do for themselves, not by
they must do so, as individuals do, by
us with another hospital, Childcen's
Home and Old Ladies' Home, my opin-
ION is that if cities want to get ahead,
they must do so. as individuals do, by
what they do for themselves, not by
what others do for them.
CITIZEN.