Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-07

because a municipality was so situat-
ed that it had no criminals, or paupers
or insane it should not assist in car
ing for these unfortunates in the state
institutions; or because it was so un-
fortunate as to have no children in its
midst that it should do nothing for the
general education of the other children
of the state; or because it was making
such good roads within its own limits
it would thus be exempt from assisting
in caring for other highways through
out the state in which it was only Incl
dentally interested. Ii these arguments
were valid then each little community
could draw circle around ltseil ana
exclude from its consideration any pub
lie burden, and enjoy the full protection
Of the laws for those natural privileges
which it alone had.
Such selfshness either in the lndl-
yidual or municipality is not recognized
as consistent with public policy what
ever is fer the benefit of the people OF
a state, the Legislature, which repre-
sents the people, has the power 10 reg
Mate by reasonable laws. not reDuG-
nant to the constitution of the state or
| the United States.
1 say, without fear of refutailon,
that there is no objection in the conSu-
| tuition OF our state or nation to the as
sumption by the State of the contfol
and maintenance of bridges in the
| highways Of the State, because they are
| the property of the State. whose care
and maintenance has heretofore been
| delegated to the municipalities as q
| mart of the States system of ways and
streets. Surely the State has right to
| care for its own as it desires.
I go further and assert that this pro-
posed legislation is Il reasonable Ia"
and that it's regulations are for the
| benefit of the people of our State at
| large.
1t is reasonable because it is equita-
BILE and just, that our State should as
sumo the care of that part of its pub
| lie works called bridgeS-the most eX"
| pensive part to construct and mann
tain Of its public highways--which I'M
! der penalty must be erected and main
| tanned safe not for local travel. but for
public travel. 1t takes from the
shoulder; IF the municipality, in whose
limits nature has placed brooks,
streams, ponds and rivers. which must
| be spanne6 by bridges, the burden OF
maintaining those bridges safe for your
travel and that of your neighbors, Wis
| itors and friends, safe for the public.
though possibly not needed by the mu-
nicipality itself. and places these bur
dens upon the State, which represents
the public. and asks you to contribute
20 this public benefit.
| 1t seems equitable and just This
distribution of the load relieves the
municipality and permits it. like your
| locality. to employ some of this money
| which it has before used in paying for
your share OF this public expense. II
erecting and paying for water plants,
| sewers and electric lights, and perha ps,
i'll erecting public buildings and school,
houses. You may have had the priv
lcge Of building and enjoying these 10
cal utilities while we We're using our
funds in caring for your share Of the
public burden.
| 1t seems all the more reasonable and
just to some of our municipalities be-
cause they have borne it. Oh. so many
years, without any assistance from the
State. while other municipalities have
had State aid in the construction of
| bridges in their midst and every time
| the State has giver this aid she recog-
| niZed her duty to assist in caring for
| these expensive parts of her highways.
| Today it has become a so well rccog-
nized duty Of the State to furnish such
aid that 20 resolves are before the COM
mittec on bridges asking the State to
give funds TO assist in the construction
of her bridges. in her highways. so that
her people and the public in general
may travel in safety. II appears to me
reasonable demand. In this matter
1t is but step from the special to the
CONTINUED on Page Four.)