Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-22

81. $50 :!
business relations with Pennington, lying
I'm the Kennebec valley only 81 miles
away. are not so intimate as are those
with Caribou or Calais.
I,ivermore Falls is p miles from Lewis
ton. 1t is only - miles from Augusta
but we never see a man from that town
unless he comes to attend the Legisla-
ture or q funeral
More recently our neighboring cities OF
Gardiner and Waterville have tapped the
rich country east of the kennebec by
railroad connections.
Farming in Kennebec county pays. The
country town are growing rapidly in
wealth. Many of them are located as
near Watervile or Lewiston as to Angus
ia. If We want their trade we must give
them good roads. and the sooner the bet
ter.
Good roads will not attract people from
Pennington or Livermore Falls to Il
great extent, but they will attract them
from Sidney, Readfield. Belgrade, Mt.
Vernon, Manchester Winthrop. Farming
dale. West Gardiner. China, VassaIboro,
|
and Chelsea.
| Farmers from Sidney are this sprung
hauling hay TO Waterville instead of to
are in better condition.
The city valuation this year will be
| about s7,20OOOO. This gives us q legal
borrowing power of s3sO,O00. The present
city debt was on March 81 last S261 800 =
so that we have the power to legally Dor
row about $4,000. The experience OF
| Maine cities, and our own is no excep
| ticn. demonstrates that as fast as the
valuation increases. the city uses its Dor
rowing power for something. Vt it does
not use it for necessaries, it is very ap
to use 1t for unnecessary luxuries.
| I believe that good roads are n necees
sity. and that permanent investment il
them will pay US by making it possible
| to reduce our annual appropriation FOL
temporary repairs in a sum much large
than the interest on the bonds which ma;
be issued for such improvements.
By reducing the enormous burden o
Temporary repairs on roadbeds NOR
money will he available in future year
for sidewalks. sewers and other stree
improvements.
What such All investment will pay u
in increased country trade, in more bust
ness from summer visitors. and in create
values of real estate in both city an
country, it is useless for anyone to pre-
dict
While the responsibility of determining
whether such an important improvement
be made rests finally upon the cit
council. believe that such a step shout
not be taken without giving our citizen
full opportunity to express themselves re
garding it.
A vote is to be taken June 4 upon tn
park question. and if these matters ar
also submitted at that time no additiona
lexpense will be incurred.
| I therefore recommend that in accord
ance with the city charter, the follown
question be submitted to the people o
June 4, 1906. for their advisory action:
Shall the mayor and city treasurer Il
authorized to issue and sell bonds q
the city upon such time and bearing sue
rate of interest not exceeding three an
one-half per cent. per annum, as may l.
hereafter determined by the city cour
Gil. to an amount not exceeding $4,000
the same to he expended upon pcrml
nent improvements to the country roads.
Following the mayors address resolr
4 tions were adopted providing that at tn
S general meeting of citizens to be hel
t June next to vote upon two question
S relative to proposed acquisition of park
the following question be also submitte
'6 10 popular vote upon the same ballot
# shali the mayor and city treasurer b
e authorized and instructed to issue an
- sell the bonds IF tho o;+,. $780,, ,. A.,