Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-20
At GARDINER.
(Coatinued from Page One.)

houses were constructed anu COhSiuSi
able money expended in repairs ana
improvements. / will put mysel1 oii
record at this time with the assertioil
that while Gardiner has Board Vi
Trade anywhere near as progressive
Intelligent and hard working as we
have for the past few years that iio
mayor will ever have TO record any
backward tendency in the prosperity Vi
this city A statement of the progress
Of our city is only another method Oh
relating the history of our Board OIL
Trade. Last year l called your dtteh-
ton to the achievements OF thlS of-
ganizatio in the enlargement OF our
shoe factory and locating the new corn
factory, but this year its accomplish
ment; have been even greater. Through
lis efforts and the liability of our cit
iZens, a large amount of money has
been spent on the shoe factory in per-
manent improvements, giving us one
oil the best equipped shoe factories in
New England: through its efforts also,
assisted by the city council Of last year,
the Glidden Brothers box factory has
| been added as one of our permanent in
dustries, and best of all the Holmes
Co. buildings, SD long idle, will soon
shelter another shoe factory which we
believe must add greatly TO the bus
mess Of our merchants and the value
Of all property. By our cooperation
with this organization, as occasion
arises, / am certain that even brighter
days are in store for us.
' My relations with the heads Of de-
rartments have been exceedingly COR
dial. believe that the citizens may
| feel assured that the different city Of
| ficials as whole are entirely capable
and are jealous and painstaking. Prac-
tically all of the departments kept we'll
within their appropriations and thanks
to the economy of those who had the
| spending CT the same there will be an
unusually large balance of over $4,000
with which to start the new year and
as planned at the beginning of the
year, a note for $4,000 which matured
last October has been paid and the net
debt of the city reduced about $4,000. 1t
lis fortunate that this is so as it seems
| imperative that the long predicted new
draw for the Gardiner and Randolph
| bridge must be provided for this year
| and constructed next winter. An inves-
| tigation indicates that a permanent
1
| to Gardiner for its proportional part of
| not much over $4,000. For two years
| previous to my election to office $4,000
| had been paid each year on our perma-
merit debt and as noted above $4,000 was
paid last year. 1 had hoped we could
Gay a like amount during the second
year of my administration, but l be-
lieve now with this balance, if we de-
fer any further reduction of the debt
that we can pay our part for this draw
| this year. trust you will give the mat
| ter your careful consideration and
| bring about this result if possible.
believe you will find that you can do
this and so not increase our debt. give
| the different departments a reasonable
| amount with which to carry on their
| work, and at the same time keep the
| tax rate at per cent. This rate 1 be-
lieve to be the proper one for us for
the present. With our present valua-
ton this rate gives us money enough
to carry on the business of the city
satisfactorily and an increased rate
would, it seems certain, drive out a
considerable amount of taxable prop
erty. While by restricting every de-
part!nent we might reduce this rate,
do not believe it is wise to do so. be-
lievc it would mean additional expense
later on and tina. the general intelli-
gence and standard of living of our
citizens warrant us in spending annu-
ally the amount of money derived from
this rate. If you follow this suggestion
it will probably prove impossible to pay
any of the bonds which mature May 1
1 to IF
engagements will have to be made to re-
new them. AS still believe that when
there are no unusual expenditures We
can and should reduce our debt $4,000
annually, l would recommend that the
debt represented by these bonds be ex-
tended so that half of the amount
could be paid next year and the bal
ance the year following. / have not
changed my opinion expressed last year
that our indebtedness represented by
notes now amounting to $4,000 should
be changed into bonds which would
bear n lower rate of interest and save
the city about $3.50 annually and hope
YOU may consider the matter Of sufii-
cient importance to take some action.
The detailed report Of our present fl
nancial condition you Will find in the
auditors report.
| I do not deem it necessary to re-
hearse the record and needs Of each
department. You have the reports Of
each before you and should study them
|, carefully as a guide to your action dur
ing the coming year. wish to say now
to the heads Of each department that
as II has been demonstrated that ex-
renditures can be kept within the ap-
preparation you will be expected not to
overdraw. Ii any unexpected contin-
gency arises you are to report it to the
city council and they are the ones to
determine its necessity and will pro-
vide for it. have no doubt, if it seems
imperative. l also ask the city council
tn consider carefully the needs of each
department and not to allow their
friendship for some official or dislike Of
another. or their intense interest in
some department or animosity toward
another to influence them in the least
but to endeavor to give to each a rea-
sonable amount of money with which
to carry on it's work. If you are to
judge intelligently the needs of the