Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-02-28

ana on IL Appeals TO tue cltiIeHs VI Ellis
worth for continued support.
How does it stand? During its first
year it reduced the city debt from Ss1, 073,
where the democrats left it, to 1858, and
reduced the mass of uncollected taxes
from S32, 739 to 27,31S. and of the commit
ment of S44,256.21 they collected all but
S9,o3937. During it's second year it in
creased the debt 5000 5000 of which
was for the now famous wood-lot, and
5000 for a temporary loan, which was
paid early the following year. They re-
duced the uncollected taxes not much
only about 1920, nothing to brag about,
but of the total commitment of S43, OH 10,
they collected all but s1O,s1o.oe.
The record of these two years is suf-
ficient Justification for the change, but
now we come to the present year, which
has been made the special target of the
paper bullets of our democratic friends.
The Nominations OF its organ, our
esteemed contemporary, the Democrat,
during the past few weeks would lead one
unfamiliar with the situation to suppose
that Ellsworth was the worst governed city
in the country, that its municipal officers
were star grafters of the first magnitude,
and that the town generally was well on
its way to the demnition bow-wows.
The annual report is not yet published,
but enough of it is at hand to show the
general situation. The treasurer's report
will show receipts of S67, 1920; expendi-
lures of ss7,26s.1s, and cash on hand of
S229.02. These amounts are much larger
than usual, but on analysis are found to
contain an item of 5000, city note paid
and reissued. Other items, including the
note of Feb. 16, 1905, and amounting to
5000 are for loans made and repaid.
Deducting these items-a total Of 81 900
brings the actual expenditures down to
about $56,00O-the normal average amount
of the citys annual expenditures.
The city's liabilities have been increased
about 8, 500, of which 81 ,37s.96 is in out
standing orders, included in the latter
being the water bill of about $500 which
is for six months payable in advance.
The rest of the increase can easily be
accounted for by the unusual expense on
the Mariaville road, the extension of the
concrete sidewalk on Main street, and the
building of new sewers and culverts- all
Of which are in the line of permanent i'm
proyements to which no right-thinking
person can object.
In the matter of uncollected taxes, and
in the collection of the current years
commitment, the boards most ardent an
ticipations have been exceeded. OF the
s27,O41 uncollected at the beginning of
the year, ss,114.s2 have been collected, and
of this years commitment Of "a ,960.75,
the handsome sum Of $3S, 946.24 has been
collected, leaving a balance of only 3d.
014.57 uncollected-a smaller amount than
at the close of any municipal year in the
history OF the city. The total collections
were 81, O60.s6, and the total uncollected
is reduced to s24,s31.4s - the smallest
amount, with one exeeI tion, since 1897.
But this is not all. During the past
three years the tax rate has been low.
-Four years ago, under the last democratic
board, it was S23 on the Il 900, and no dis
count; three years ago, the first year of re-
publican rule, it was 81, with s per cent.
discount; two years ago it was $40 with
per cent. discount; one year ago, 5000
with no discount average for the three
years of a rate lower than for many years.
The policy has been pursued of making
small appropriations and low tax rate,
and forcing tax-collections making those
''assets" available, and giving whatever
life was possible to those much mooted
paper balances.
| And the policy has worked satisfactor-
| lily. We believe it will be sustained at the
polls next Monday. We appeal to every
republican, no matter what his personal
feelings towards any individual candidate
may be, to stand by his party, and stamp
the seal of approval on the splendid record
his party's representatives in the city gov
eminent have made for it and for them
selves.
Another Gun Spiked.