Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-26

Main street and College avenue to
Getcheli street, and over $1100 work of
granolithic walks on Main street, which
are of the best of its kind except they
are very slippery, which l presume Is
caused by the fact that they were, laid
by a Democrat.
Why don't the Sentinel give credit
to us for this?
Further, when our present city gov
eminent came into office there were
outstanding s2s.4OO worth of interest
bearing notes, and there fell due this
past year $4,000 worth of bonds which
had to be refunded. We took care of
all of these by bonding the whole lot
of $4,000, all except the $500 note
which we paid, and we sold them to
so good an advantage that we received
s46S5 premium or profit. and $4,000 of
this we invested in Washington County
Railroad bonds at 1-2 per cent. guar
anteed principal and interest by the
NJ. c. r. r. Co. These bonds we bought
for $89 on the hundred, and the
city will make all this profit, and in
addition we passed an ordinance that
each city government shall appropriate
at least $1,000 as a sinking fund with
which to meet bonds when they fall
due, and there are no bonds falling due
until 1923. period of 10 years. and
then only $4,000 fall due. so you read
lily see if this provision is adhered to,
the city will have with compounded
interest over $4,000 when the first lot
Of bonds of $4,000 become due.
Why don't the Sentinel say some-
thing about this?
Besides both tine high and common
schools have a credit of undraWn bal-
ances of over sl100; the street depart
ment Of 1899; the fire department of
s12s.11; the sprinkling department of
s4OO70. None of the balances of these
departments have been touched; it Is
there in uncollected taxes not used, and
will lessen the amounts needed Tor
these departments by just so much.
Why don't the Sentinel mention these
things?
We have lust leased the Opera house
Tor $4,000. thus getting returns which
will be profitable to the city. The old
lease. made by a Democratic council.
was for $1,000, not enough to pay the
expense OF heating and lighting. The
profit accruing from this lease must
be accredited TO our city government.
The debt seems to be a source of
disturbance to the Wateryille Sentinel.
You will find in the city report. the as
SCISSORS report, which covers two pages.
There is one report of actual valuation,
and another report of a forced value,
because if vote of different city coun-
ellis instructlng the assessors to place
\ nominal value or exemption from
tax value. for term of years to in
duce new industries to locate in our
city. This last report is for taxation
purposes and is, as all lawyers will
tell you illegal. The only legal valua-
ton is. that which treats all property
as without exemption for any special
reason. The assessors are sworn to
justly and impartially perform their
duties, and make returns honestly and
fairly, according TO their best judg-
ment, but because the city council in
structed the assessors to place a NOM
inal value on certain pieces Of property
does not lessen the value of those prop
critics; it only shows our willingness
to assist these corporations in getting
started in business in our city. The
courts have decided this question long
ago. By .Qt
Now let me shoy you how absurd the
last valuation is and the Justice of the
valuation on Page 157 of the City Re-
port, and allow me to say that the as
SCISSORS made both these valuations and
they won't deny it. The chairman of
the board is Charles H. Barton, and
he will tell you that this valuation is
in accordance WITH mis- Judgment of a
Just and correct value of the proper
ties spoken of. Also Mr. ]. A. Vigue
and Mr.. Martin Blaisdell will corrob-
crate his statement.
The valuation of the Riverview
Worsted Mill, according to the first re-
port, is $4,000. The nominal tax value
is only $4,000.
The valuation Of the Chase mill is
s21.700 and the exempt value is $500.
The valuation of the .Keyes Fibre Co.
is $4,000. and the nominal or exempt
value is $1,000.
See the absurdity of calling these
last values just and honest valuations
NO man can make an honest oath to
such values as those as being in ac-
cordance with justice, equity or prin-
ciple, and the only way to honestly do
it is Gas was decided upon by the as
SCISSORS after consulting with the may
or, the treasurer and the city solicitor)
by starting, that, by reasons of instruc-
ton of the city council, we have
placed a nominal tax value upon these
three pieces of property.
And. furthermore, you will find in
the State assessors 18th Annual Re-
port for 1909, Page 40, that our local
assessors gave in this property as ex-
empt by vote, the total of which is
s91, 200. and this must be added to the
amount in their second report Of $6,3i4.-
10a. making a total of s6.425.S05 and
this IS what we have a legal right to
figure our debt limit from. This you
will notice is little more than the
assessors books figured up for our To-
cal statement sent to bond houses in
June, for the reason that they found
little more property before complet-
ing their duties. We. therefore, have
IS debt limit : per cent. Of $6.425. $685.
which is 1921 ,290.25, and our total debt
is as follows: s3l4.00O of bonds and $4,000
Of notes, making total Of $320,000,
leaving us inside the limit $1290.25 and
eminent lawyers tell me our premises
and deductions are right. and barring