Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-03


it is Il good deal of trouble to take a
trip down to Augusta from Portland.
If we had the State House in Portland
it might be different matter.
There are those who still favor the
Old-faShioned American form of gov
eminent, national, state OF munio iuaI.
an executive with two Legislative bod
les. Il president or governor with the
Senate and House: a mayor with the
board Of aldermen and the common
council. and certainly there is a strong
sentiment in favor of a referendum.
Let me read from the Portland Press
of this morning:
THAT there are still two sides to the
proposition to have a single board Of
aldermen for ii city council is evident
from the expressions of good many
citizens in favor of referring the mat
ter to. The Ieol lie. Many of these cit
liens are in no way opposed to the sim
gle board plan. but stand upon the
broad and secure principle that mat
tiers of this Importance should always
be put to popular vote. The question
al present is therefore. not so much on
the value of the single board of three
members. which has evidently been
practically agreed upon; but on the
propriety of adopting so important
novelty in the city's government.
without an expression of the popular
will.
A good many citizens" said one Of
them on Wednesday, "havr believed in
the lower board in the city council, but
have waived their own opinions in the
face of the general desire for Il single
board. But they to mail orli"v, the
case should go before the rroplc Of the
city for decision, as one o. those ques-
tons which should always be settled in
that way. There is wide support OF
this position. A large number OF our Ero-
pie would lie to sec Il referendum on
this matter: and their opposition to any
other method ought not To ne misjlid;ed
and undercsti m;tted because they have
been comparatively silent about it,
The matter will come up ut Augusta
on Thursday, and there will be consider
able interest in the outcome. representa-
tive Hale of Portland. Is leading the
for a referendum, and undouht-
eddy has Il great MANY citizens with him
net against the single board plan. but
in flvor of giving the people Il chance on
this unusually important matter. That is
always q safe principle. and there is no
Danger in any proposition which is tested
by the popular vote. 1T is not an unusual
and, since the people have on
one previous occasion voted down just
such a plan, there is n good deal of logic
i'll The argument that they have their
rights at this time. Representative Halcs
idea evidently is that the peoples choice
is the proper system to be adOptcd-that
they have n right to govern themselves,
in the usual limits. as they prefer. The
people have had no opportunity as yet to
express their views, and the referendum
would give them exactly that.
And in last nights Evening Express
I ind an editorial:
"NhatcNe r change is made in the forcl
OF our city government should be left
finally. to the decision of the legal voters
of the city. The referendum; in local af-
fairs of this nature is certainly Just and
right"
The question of n change is not 4 new
ore to the citizens of Portland. In 1887
the same matter WIS brought before the
Lcg'sla ture, passed Ly them with 4 refer
cnGum, and submitted to the PEOPLE. The
people turned it down; they did not want
II. Is this Legislature to pass Il law foist
ing on the citizens of Portland 4 form of
self government that they have II Il re-
cent election decided and voted that they
did not want?
Ny opponents will say that matters
have changed nOW-that the best peo-
pie of Portland favor the change. and
that there is no opposition. If there
is no opposition they are all right, and
will be all right in September.
There are no classes of voters; the
poorest. least influential citizen of
Portland is entitled to his vote and his
say as to how he shall govern his city,
just as much as is the mayor, or any
other influential citizen. A vital change
is contemplated.
Our charter. our constitution given us
by the Legislature i'm 1892, and adopted
by vote of the people. is to be radically
changed as radically changed as it
could be--and we are not to vote on it.
Our betters say that we are not TO
be trusted to decide what we want.
Gentlemen, 1 have more faith in the
i"'l'ie, am NIliiiS 10 ttDlue ny Their !
decision. Give it to them.
If they want one board they will
have it. and they should have it. If
they don't want it. and vote it down,
| care not who wants the change; it |
should not take place.
Our municipal election in Portland |
takes place early in December. At that |
time the citizens elect the municipal |
officers and such is a provision of the |
present bill. The special election in |
decides the matter of one or |
two boards. and if the change is mad" |
there is plenty of time before the De- |
cember election. |
The referendum is in no way delay |
ing matters. l have named September |
instead of an earlier date. so that both |
sides may have an opportunity to array |
their forces. Since 1892 we have had |
two boards. There need be no inde- |
cent haste in making a change, if we |
ire to make a change.
Gentlemen, my position in this mat |
ter is not a particularly pleasant one |
for myself. I am not against the one |
board idea; I am not for it. All L ask |
is that the citizens of Portland shall |
have an opportunity to vote as to |
~ hot ter or not thew want n change T |