Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-22

cost of the Leonard farm, the COM
hinatien truck and other bills that may
have been incurred, less the amount
liitlY to he received from back taxes
Ii means Il year of rigid economy and
ju,icious expenditure on the part OF
this city government and | confident
" expect your cordial support and
able assistance in working for the
city'a good.
Extravagant Expenditures.
Responsibility for neglect of duty
or Incompetence in administration on
the part of city officials Which re-
salts III eXtravagant expenditures OF
public money, rests equally upon the
mayor and members OF the city council
Who serve on The various committees
under wEcse direction the work au-
tllorized by the city government is
executed
Neglect of duty is tic chief cause
of mistakes of administration and
any member of the city government
WHO tails to appreciate this fact is I'M
worthy OF the confidence reposed in
hin. by his fellow citizens.
the city charter says:
$50 money shall be paid from the
treasury unless the same be appropri-
ated by tie city council, and upon a
warrant signed by the mayor, which
warrant shall state the appropriation
under which the same is drawn
THE city ordinances provide that
the moneys raised and appropriated
foy specific purposes in the annual
Il tt,r
supervision Of the joint standing COM
nittnes of the respective depart
ments.' but no money shall be eX-
pended or paid out of the city treasury
except on orders of the city council,
approved by the mayor, designating the
fund or appropriation from which
said orders are to be paid"
1T is further ordained:
"'Eut no warrant shall be drawn
upon the treasurer against any fund
or chargeable to any appropriation for
mere than the balance remaining to
the credit of such fund or appropIia-
ton, and when any fund or appropria-
ton is exhausted the committee on ac-
counts shall not approve any bills,
claims or accounts payable from or
chargeable to such fund or appropria-
ton until the city council shall have
provided the means Of paying said
bills or accounts
Let us take warning by the rec
ord nf the past year; obey the city
charter and ordinances in letter
and spirit and there will be
no cvcrdrawn appropriations.
III matters not what church u man
Eclor"s 90, nor to what political par
ty !" holds allegiance; FOR does it
MATER what may be his nationality
or race: what planks are in his party
platform or even what may have been
his election promises, we must,
gentlemen on the city council. in the
emf depend for honest, faithful pub
lie service upon the simple honesty Of
the man himself.
Increased State Tax.
THE amount annually raised by tax
alton to satisfy the demands of the
State Legislature has steadily in
creased in recent years. In 1906 the
State tax was SALTS, in 1907 and 1908,
the tax increased to $225SS, in 1909 it
was $23,"6l, while for tho coming year
the city Of Augusta will be called up
on to pay fttto tho state treasury the
great sum of SIS. 1865, which is more
than double TIE state tax of 1906 and
an increase of $15iS5.f0 over the tax
of last year. This additional tax which
must be paid to the state means All in
crease in the city tax Of more than
two mills over the high rate Of last
year, unless u cut is made in the ap-
preparations.
THE Board of Education Of the city
of Augusta was established by act Of
the Legislature and ratified by our cit
liens in May, 1907. The board, consist
ing of one member from each ward, is
chosen by direct vote of the people at
ward meetings held for that purpose
once in three years. The terms of not
more than three members expire in
any one year.
THE amount of money to be raised
by taxation for all school purposes is
determined by vote of the citizens Of
Augusta at general school meeting
convened at City hall on the second
Monday Of May annually. This
amount is certified by the secretary of
tiiS HicttlIlS " tIle dSSeSSOTS Oh t1C CITY
and is included with and assessed like
other city taxes. The expenditure of
all money raised by vote of the school
together with that received
from the state, is controlled entirely
By the Board of Education.
More School Money.
The city government has absolute
" nothing to do with raising or dis
the school money. The re-
sponsibi!ity rests with the people and
the Board of Education.
The citizens Of Augusta have al
ways been liberal in their appropria-
tons for school purposes and loyal in
their support of the public schools.
THE amount raised for the support
of schools incre ased from $4,000 in
1907 to S45,Go0 in 1909 The first annual
lnstallment of new High school bonds,
$500. was also raised by taxation last
year and paid.
Under Chapter III, Public Laws OF
1909, the State Will pay to the city in
school money this year approximately
$4,000, or nearly double the sum ar
porticned under the old law. I have
thought best to speak of this import
ant matter in order that all may I'M
Il. a.