Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-06
TO THE PEOPLE.
Change Of Style Of Our
City Government
Is Discussed by the Members
Of Board Of Trade
With Unanimous Decision to Let
People Decide In March.


who are influential in local affairs was
Board of Trade specially called at the
city government rooms Friday afternoon
to consider the questions of the adoption
of system of municipal government by
commission, or the adjustment of the
common council.
President Warren s. Whitmore called
the meeting to order at o'clock, prompt
ly at the hour when the meeting was
scheduled to be held.
The president laid the matter of a COM
mission or other change in the form of
the municipal government of Gardiner be-
fore the board for an expression of its
opinion, the subject having first been
brought to the attention of the board at
the annual meeting several weeks ago
by President Whitmore in his address at
the opening of the meeting.
The first speaker called upon Friday
afternoon was Mayor Will c. Atkins.
He explained at some length the system
of municipal government by commission
which has been adopted and is in prac-
teal operation in Il number of Western
and Southern cities. While favoring the
plan for Gardiner Mayor Atkins believed
that to bring the question properly before
the present Legislature would require a
considerable expenditure of time and
money and he thought that the first step
would be to investigate the opinion of
the citizens of Gardiner and determine
what the people of the city want.
Dr. G.. F. Noyes said that the PROPOSE
ton was a new one to him and he did
not feel like expressing an opinion.
f. S. Smith had not looked into the
matter and did not wish to give an opin-
ion without investigation.
F.. l.. Gray said that he had not been
informed of the exact nature of the ques-
ton which was to come before the meet
ing, but he believed that the present sys-
tenn of municipal government is rather
cumbersome. He was in favor of abolish
ing the present city council. He stated
carefully that in making this statement
he. was making no reference to the per-
sonnet of the board. his remarks being di-
rected solely against the system. Not
withstanding, he felt that to petition the
present Legislature for Il commission to
handle the affairs of the city might be
a radical move.
Mayor Atkins was then recognized by
the Chair and read from the Laws of 1903
the provision which empowered the city
of Gardiner to change it's form of mu-
nicipal government after affirmative
vote of it's citizens as expressed by ballot
at city election.
'"That makes it very easy to abolish
the council if we so desire" said his
honor at the conclusion of the reading.
In answer to Il question Mayor Atkins
said that no time limit had been placed
on the provisions of this act. and that it
could be taken advantage of either now
or later In reply to still further Ques-
tioning Mayor Atkins said that there
would be no change in the rights of the
city of Gardiner under commission from
the rights which the city now enjoys.
When asked how the matter could be
brought before the people Mayor Atkins
said that no method in particular was
specified in the act of 1903, but he was
of the opinion that the municipal Off
GERS would have authority to direct the
city clerk to put the question before the
voters on the official ballot.
M. A. Haraden moved that the sentl-
ment of the Board of Trade be taken on
the question of the adjustment OF the
common council Mayor Will C. Atkins
suggested an amendment that the ques-
| ton be OH laying the whole matter be-
fore the people at the March election. Mr..
Haraden was willing to accept the
amendment, but as finally framed the
motion was that a rising vote be taken
on the question of the adjustment OF
the common council. The Chair put the
question and the proposition was car
,ied unanimously that it was the opinion
of the Board of Trade that the common
council of the city of Gardiner should
| be abolished.
..AIr. Mayor, how will this matter be
! brought before the people?' asked Mr..
Gray.
Mayor Atkins repeated his explanation
of a few minute before that the question
| could be nut on the official ballot at the
March election.
| nv q rising vote the board went unan-
imousIy on record as of the opinion that
| the question of abolshing the common
| council should go before the people at
the March election.
! ,Mayor Atkins gave the, board to under
stand that the matter will be brought
before the municipal officers at their neX'
Injecting, on Feb. Is.
| Whether or not this should be the ina
move. or whether the proposition for
| commission should be acted upon. was
| then considered. Several members toot
mart in the discussion at this point. The
general sentiment being voiced by Dr
l. A. Strout, who declared that in hi:
| oninioIfe the voters of Gardiner have more
| important duties than to look INTO th'
Question of n commission at present.
Navor Atkins added that he did no
think that a bill for the commission form
of government could be passed at thu
present session of the Legislature. ant
IN. meeting was then adjourned at "A
p. NJ.
| After several days of investigation int
L tan SllrAllQdln