The Somerset reporter., 1909-01-21
A Sale, Contract for Rental or a
New Charter.


prevailing at the town meeting of
Saturday last. Much skepticism
prevailed as to the likelihood that
the Skowhegan Water Company
would render service for the next
twenty years, to any great extent,
more satisfactory that for the past
twenty, and there seemed very little
desire to enter into a contract with
them. While some of the questions
asked would indicate that there was
hope on the part of individuals that
an arrangement for lease or purchase
may be made, it is quite doubtful if
any one seriously believes that the
water company will name price for
its plant that the town can afford to
consider, or that they will offer terms
for hydrant rental, coupled with
sufficient guarantee as to the fulfill
ment of their contract, to warrant
the town in entering into such an
arrangement with them. The further
report of the Special Water Com
mittee will, however, be awaited
with much interest.
Considering the fact that the hy-
drant rental is for fire protection and
for that alone, the first requirement
should be efficiency for that purpose.
What we are to receive in that line is
of vastly more importance than the
price, and unless we are to have I'M
questioned efficiency in that particu-
lar, the service would be dear on any
terms. We have already learned to
our sorrow that unreliable protection
is no protection at all.
Some things the citizens of Show
hogan should bear in mind. The
10Th of February is the time limit,
that is allowed, SO far as intro
ducing measure at the present ses-
sion of the legislature, looking
towards a new charter, is concerned d.
From this consid GRAFTON such action
in the matter as the town may wish
to take, must be taken at this ad-
journed meeting, Saturday, January
Both, if at all.
The attendance at the me citing of
Saturday last was very gratifying,
between four and five hundred.
This is not more than two
thirds of the usual attendance often
oaan of tho animal toxup ynaafino hut
is very large attendance for a
special meeting and denotes very
lively interest in the water question
There was this to be noted about it
however, that very few Skowhegan
merchants were present. The day
and hour of meeting, the very busiest
time i'll the week for them, may ac-
count for their failure to attend, but
the Importance of this matter is such
that this may hardly be said TO be an
suitable excuse for non attendance.
They constitute a class whose counsel
is needed in matters of this kind and
it is certainly a cause of regret that
they were not better represented,
especially as our towns best interest
should be of vital Importance to
them.
1t would seem as though the interest
would be easily maintained and that
the attendance at the meeting of
Saturday Jan. Both, will be even
greater.
Each voter should consider his duty
in this respect and be willing to sub
ject himself to some inconvenience
if necessary to be present. The
stockholders of the Skowhegan Water
Company may be depended upon to
be out in full force. Self interest
will guarantee their attendance. Tho
same sentiment should be sufficient,
even if no other consideration exists,
to induce every voter to attend the
meeting Of Jan. 80, and every other
meeting until the question is settled
In connection with this subject it
may be said that at themeeting in Au-
gust 1889, when the first contract
was made with the Skowhegan Water
Company, there were but 314 votes
cast, 176 in the affirmative and 1873 in
the negative. 1t is to be regretted
that 80 small number, about one
fifth of our total voting population,
should be considered a quorum to
transact town affairs of such i'm
portance, and it would be a re-
proach, no matter what the result, if
when the decision is reached this
time, there should not be at least one
half of our citizens present and
voting who are qualified to do SO.