Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-07
Business or Politics?

picinaI affairs? Mayor Plaisted him
self has asked this question and it ill
becamcs him to complain at the frank
discussion which it has aroused or 10
dodge the issue and evade RESPONSE
b;,itv for the many unbusinesslike
things Of strictly partisan nature
which a little investigation OF his ad-
ministration has brought to light. We
use the word "unbusinesslike" in this
connection. although it is an exceed
ingly mild and charitable term in view
of the astounding disclosures which
have been made This morning the
Journal wishes to ask the taxpayers
Of Augusta few questions. Let them
think the matter over between now
and The time when they will cast their
ballots next Monday and then vote ac-
cordingly.
Will it be business or politics to re-
elect Sheriff Plaisted mayor of Angus
Ia, a man who is an avowed and par
tisan politician and who desires the Of
flee for third term solely that he may
build up and strengthen his personal
political machine?
Will it be business or politics to
elect Hon. Ira H. Randall as mayor
man who is a respected and success
fur leader in the business and indus
trial life of the community. who does
not hold any other office and who pos
sesses no political ambition:
Will it be business or politics to
keep in office those aldermen who have
violated the State law and the princi-
pies Of sound municipal government
by profiting from city patronage to the
extent Of many hundreds of dollars
each?
VIII it be business or politics for the
city to trust the management of its
affairs to 4 management of its affairs
to a man whom the county Of Kenne-
bee is now paying s440O or more annu-
ally for the performance Of important
duties,
Is it business or is it politics for the
present administration to hold back
from the taxpayers the amount which
the city now really owes, the bills I'M
paid. held back. not presented and
otherwise covered up as a campaign
eXpediency?
Was it business or was it politics
when the Plaisted administration dis
regarded the vote of the people that
the interest on the good roads bond
issue should not exceed three and one
half per cent. and issued bonds at
per cent. falling to give the people of
Disregarding wholly the legal as.
pect of the case. has it been business
Or politics for a member of the board
Of aldermen to monopolize the ma
cninist work Of tie city for the past
two years, receiving s142l for the
same with bills for several months
past yet to he paid?
pisrcgardinS the legal aspect of the
case. has it been business or politics
for q member OF the board of aldermen
10 monopoliZe the carpenter work re-
quircl hy the city. receiving 1864 for
the same?
DisregardinS the legal aspect Of the
case, has it been business or politics
for member of the board Of aldermen
to furnish large share of the gro
ceries required by the poor depart
ment receiving about 800 for the same
during the year of 1907?
Was il business or was it politics
when Mayor PlaiSted appointed an al
de-man and a councilman as inspec-
tors Of the permanent highway I'M
provemonts. for which services they
received $685. and 1867 respectively?
Was it business or was it politics for
the city to pay the street commissioner
s45 for sand for the sidewalks last WIN
ter when the city owns good sand
bank of it's own?
Was it business or was it politics
when Overseer of the Poor Spaulding,
in absolute violation of the law, as he
has confessed over his own signature,
entered into contracts with members
of the city government for supplies
for the poor department?
Was it business or was it politics
when Mayor Plaisted made his sweep
ing charges, Regarding the condition cf
City hall and of the city property at
the beginning of his administration,
charges promptly and completely all
swered by eX-Janitor Fisher in his
communication to the Journal
Was it business or. was it politics
when Mayor Plaisted claims for his
administration the.policy of rural high
way Improvement, matter which was
settled by the people of the CITY ut