Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-01-14

council rooms Friday evening and
thorc discussed the various parts. The
charter will be presented to the Leg
islature next week. The meeting was
attended by a large number and the
discussion was lively at times. Con-
siderable interest MAS manifested.
III" M citing was, called to order by
II. l.. Emery. president of the Good
Cnverncnt Association. The report
of s;cc. l.. W. Heath was read and
accepted.
II. l.. Emery stated that several
CITIES in the State were endeavoring to
secure charter revision and all We're
wiling t. cooperate.
Tie report of Treas Harry +. Green
stated that at present there was
balaaoe If 5000 in tie treasury.
President Emery notified those pres
EFT that in order to participate III the
election II officers, it would be nee
essay To- collect dues, and papers
Wurl passed around aud signed by AN
y no III sired 10 become or renew their
membership.
\ nominating committee. consisting
Of IN : =. Bunker, {. ". Davis ana
4 Carsy. We're appcinteH to prepare
a list ii officers for tn" coming year.
Whil, tho committee MAS out Presl-
dent Emery stated that there were
several important facts To be discussed.
r.. .a5ectttive eomilittee had reeonl-
laend,d thf number of cpuncihnen as
FIVE. including the maE"r. ana also
that TIE combinations be made b. ai-
rect urinary \ candidate might nave
hi 3amo on the preliminary baii"t
Ay = petition II y names. Inc Nv"
t.sars, caadid;ttes Tor cach once
would 1--we their names on the i'i'ai
election ballot.
TIla nominating committee repof'eo
the following state of officers:
Presidential. l.. Emery.
Vice resident-Charles II. Barton.
socretary-E. w. Heath.
Treasurer L. Green.
Executive committee--H. l.. Emery
a. r. Barton. Arthur Daviau, \. II.
Ful}er. +. W. Heath. y. +. Green
Gideon Picfaer and l.. q. Bunker.
The report II the committee was ae-
copied.
president Emery then took up seN-
.ral vital parts of the charter and
aYDlained them fully.
Roy Cyrus f. Stimson stated that
tf.e duties of the mayor as prescribed
in the new charter. were unstatiSiae-
t5ry to him. He did not laNof 'ii'
G,.e #rof,nciImen. but would have the
number three. and instead OF paying
five men $500 would pay three men
mere liberal wage.
Under the charter as it stands there
is a chance for friction and he cnuid
see no Justification. lie favored plae-
mo co,npetent men over the depart
ments and pay them fair salary tie
said he would make a motion THAI the
number Of carncilmen be three and
the MAYOR 70 be one Of those council
men.
cyrus VI. Davis stated that he was
pleased with the growth of tn" city
rcmrared with the other cities. He
felt that the sentiment WAS in favor oil
the commission government. 1t is true
that the poorer government we have
lived under were men that were put in
from the mills and shops for one term
and that they did their best. Person
ally he believed III three men and a
man with a power ef- veto. He favor
ed committee Of five 10 remedy the
charter and present the charter to the
Legislature and thus do away with
the differences.
Rev Cyrus +. Stiuison made mo-
ton that the number of councilmen be
three instead Of five by the executive
committee.
Alderman Carey thought that three
men could handle the work as we'll as
five ana it would lie a great saving.
Alderman j. {. Fuller favored three
men and for tho councilmen to devote
their entire time.
Fx- Mayor Horace Purinton adyocat
cd that the mayor alone receive salary
ana that the Other four give their SER
vice
W. c. Phubrooh thought that it vas
childish to quarrel over the matter of
choosing three ar five. He was OPP
posed to paving the mayor $1,000 for
being a iigurchead and only giving the
Icouncilren $6ho and do all the work.
He favored three men and dividing
the city into three departments and
sub departments.
Judge Philbrook did not think any
man would give up his business with
ont any Understanding as to what his
duties would be. He believed in get
ting started on something even if ii
did not meet with everyone's approval
Hon. W. T. Haines stated that he
knew nothing about the working of a
city government as he had never held
office in municipal affairs. He called
attention to the county commissioners
and the work that three men UNDER
TOOK and thought that is was good
rule. Mr.. Haines thought there were
many holes in the charter and he
criticized the charter. in several par
tiCulars. What we all want is To get
to business. You have got toe much
machinery said Mr.. Haines. What |
would like to see would be the city of
Watefville elect men without regard
of politics for some time. / would like
To see the city narrowed enough to run
1t on ii business administration. 1t is
time we had a general business house
cleaning. not political house cleaning.
My idea is all right when they under
stand, but when they don't they are a
humbuS."
DR.. l.. G., Bunker Il member of the