Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-11

ONti vi dIlS bC0uIlt0. DIdCl1tdllY With
out increase of the city debt; the
amounts were very nearly equal in
both cases. Neither method is to be
recommended, neither is superior to
the other. But one or the other is the
necessary result of attempting to live
beyond ones income With a COM
paratively low rate, is not the solu-
ton to be found in raising the rate I'M
til such time as BY cancellation of the
water works debt the city will be
free to borrow for those permanent
improvements, whose benefit will last
over long term of years, and Will
receive in yearly revenue from the
water works a sum sufficient to in
sure the yearly running expenses of
the city, at decreased rate of taxa
tion?. And this time is only few
years distant. | ask your earnest con-
sideration; and suggest your careful
discussion with citizens at large, of
this all-important question, that each
of us may be prepared To act upon it
advisedly
l believe this board will find ii ad-
Nantageous to again require estimates
of necessary expenditures in the va
rious departments for your guidance
in this matter of appropriations, ard
that after the same are made, monthly
statements from the city treasurer Of
the uneXpended balances be also sub
mitted at your regular meetings.
one other suggestion occurs TO me
which l will submit in closing. Al
though this idea presented itself to
n 81 HaT-a l1Ia Yi,,,a o.a ~ no.. -,
pealed to me more in view of recent
occurrences.
This city is small in number of in
hahitantS, small in territorial extent.
Many towns surpass us in both re-
spects. It is the opinion of n certain
number even of our own citizens that
We would be benefited by a complete
return to a town form of government.
Very many citizens have little under
standing of how the business of the
city is conducted. what the difficulties
10 be encountered are, or how they
are met, avoided or submitted to. Few
apparently not any possibly can. upon
examination of a published city re-
/ port, gain clear and understanding
idea of what the various accounts rep
| and unwarranted statements are based
thereon.
Take also fer example the matter OF
removal of pole lines from our bust
ness street. a matter into which mem
bers of this board in the past two
years and myself have put a very
considerable amount Of time. effort
and personal interest, with the re-
suit that one line has been removed
ard all arrangements made for the
removal of another and practically in
Guiding the third, when the consent
of some of our citizens to the pro-
posed change was, after having been
given. Withdrawn. 1 stated. last year
that the success of. this effort depend
ed upon the public-spirit of individ-
! uals 1t has so proved
As a result Of the matters just men
tened, and of others as well. it has
occurred to me that perhaps it might
he to the advantage of the CITY
Council and of the citizens at large, if
a custom could be established of call
, ing, after the organization of such in
coming city government, a general
citizens meeting, where all matters
Z ~ toNiAtISl i 1tbit Interest cOutQ De
/ brought up, explained, discussed. I'M
| derstood, and a course of action de-
vised OF course the responsibility
! being upon this board, you would moi
be bound by any action of such a
tewnmeeting, in any ANY, but il
there is the germ of any good EN-
bodied in this suggestion / desire t
submit it TO your good judgment.
OF the suggestions which / have
made, / merely ask your considerat tor
and elaboration of the responsibilities
incumbent upon YOU and me alike;
ask your serious appreciation and
realization. 1t is your duty and mine
under our oaths of office, to act fol
| the common good of the whole city
as it may appear to us, in the light oil
our own judgment and convictions
tempered and controlled by the wishes
Of those we represent, but bearing in
mind always that, because we are
representatives of others, we should
| not for that reason give up our owr
individuality or act contrary to oul
/ own idea of right You will this day
| organize anew the executive force oil
the city; keep then in mind, in so do.
IlS tIlet real interest OF the CITY. al
verse criticism YOU cannot escape: il
is a necessary incident to the position
you occupy.
Finally, let me say to you this In
| the two years during which it has
been my lot to be actively connected
with tie affairs of the city govern
ment, the most personally pleasing
and, believe. the most generally
beneficial characteristic of this coun.
Gil has been it's freedom from personal
contention and its unity of purpose
1t is my hope that in this year to en-
| sue, l shall find my own duties made
less burdensome ard more agreeable
by the continuance of this same at
mosphere; and on my past. / pledge
to you, gentlemen, with your help, my
best efforts for the good of the city
and my cooperation with you in your
| endeavors to accomplish the same
purpose, the purpose for which alone
we are here assembled. 49,
City Government Evening Session.
At the evening session the following
work was done. Mayor Beane announced
| the standing committees: