Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-05
A Communication.
Augusta, Me, March I. 1870;

Augusta, Me, March I. 1905.
Clarence B. Burleigh, Esq, Editor
kennebec Journal and Chairman Re-
publican City Committee, Augusta,
Me
Sr-In this mornings issue you state
editorially that the items of the bills
rendered to the city by me since May
%, 1906, consisted of labor, repairs
and sunGrics.'
You also state that such bills con-
tain charges for automobile hire
Both these statements are absolute
ly false. and they are written either
BY one who has deliberately misstated
the matter, or who is absolutely isnor-
ant 81 the ordinary methods of book
keeping.
The book used for convenient refer
ence by the public in the treasurer'S
office is the "Roll of Accounts" This
book gives only the names of the par
ties paid, the general nature of the
bills, as labor repairs ''Sun-
dries" etc. and the amount. For in
stance. there may be found on this
book allowances to BurleiGh &, Flynt in
which their name. the word printing"
and the amount are given without 9TH
CT items. An itemized bill correspond
ing to each of these entries is on file
with the city treasurer.
If the person who wrote your edito-
rial had taken the trouble to ask
City Treasurer Townsend for bills on
file. instead Of continuing his investi-
| cations to the roll of accounts. ne
would have found an itemiZed bill for
! every entry duly approved by the head
| Of some department, examined. and
| found correct by the committee on &C
| counts, and audited by the city audi
| tor. The loose and inaccurate term
| "SEndries" does not appear in any
! bill presented by my firm or by me,
nor is there any charge in any such
bill not fully and correctly itcmized.
Nor have I or my firm directly or in
directly ever furnished or charged to
| the city any automobile hire
| The bills mentioned in the edtoria
| in question. go back Only to the be-
ginning of Mayor Plaisteds admins
| tration. But. ever since I began bus
mess my firm has done large por-
ton Of the city's work, both under
Republican and Democrats. When |
| was first elected alderman. in 1905
I
ment under Mayor Hichborn, / con-
tinued TO 90 work with his full knowl-
edge and approval.
All bills were passed upon during
that year by a committee of Repubii-
cans. VIM. G.. Boothby. Esq. treasurer
of the kennebec Savings Bank. and a
most careful city official being chair
| man.
All bills for the present wear, have
been audited by committee of which
a majority are Republicans. Hon
Chas. l.. Andrews of the legal firm OF
Heath K Andrews, and Hon Melvin
;. Holway, together with Alfred D
Weeks. the well-known printer being
the Republican members. The we'll
known character of the members OF
this committee. makes it impossible
that any man of ordinary intelligence
would present for their approval, d bill
which was not properly itemized, ant
duly authorized.
1 am not a lawyer. but I have al
ways understood that nothing pre-.
vented a fair contract between tn,
!, city or member Of the city govern
nent, but that such member had m
right to collect his bill unless the cit,
saw fit to pay it. Such has certainly
been the practice of preceding cit,
governments.
In 1903. the city entered into a con
tract with the Kennebec Light & Hea