Ellsworth American., 1914-11-11
Correspondence.
NEW HAVEN, Conn, Nov. 5, 1914

NEW HAVEN, CONN, Nov. 5, 1914.
To the Editor Of The American:
1 hava recently listened to an impressive
exhortation to his brethren among the
Hebrews that they should continue, s'not
forsaking the assembling Of ourselves to-
gether'' fHebrews 10:25). The preacher
urged convincingiy that periodic and fire.
quent assembiings together were essential
to active and efficient religious spirit and
life.
municipal spirit aud life in Ellsworth i
beg space for urging that 1t is.
At the outset l confess that was origi-
nsIly in favor Of changing our form of
municipal government from that of a
town, under which we Ellsworth citizens
regularly "assembled ourselves together"
once a year, and sometimes oftener, for
under which we 70 sook such assembling
together, and left all our municipal inter
ests to few, and those few not always the
wisest among us.
In time, however, / became convinced
that the change was not for the better,
and have at various times frankly con-
fessed my error and urged q return to our
gether periodically for the consideration
of our common municipal affairs, without
regard to differences OF opinion as to any
non-municipal matters.
What have we gained by thus "iorsaking
the assembling ourselves together"f Are
our municipal affairs any better adminis-
tered than those Of the towns in our coun-
port, Skowhegan, Brunswick, or any other
town as large or larger than Ellsworth!
Have we any better schools or streets than
theyf Are our poor any better cared fort
Are our expenses Of municipal admins
trstion any less per capita or per valua-
tion9 Are our taxes any more promptly
and effectually collecteds Is there any
to,rn with such large percentage Of un-
collected taxes? Has our municipal debt
been reduced as rapidly, or indeed at slif
True, We have more politics, more Of
fees. and more petty qusrrels over the
Offices. Formerly we chose three men
from the whole body Of our citizens to fol-
low our instructions, to serve as selectmen,
assessors OF taxes, overseers Of the poor,
and as general executive committee. Now
we have a mayor, five aldermen, three as
SCISSORS OF taxes, and three overseers OF the
poor, q round dozen men to do what three
men did before. Further, the mayor and
aldermen do as they please, and not always
as we citizens and tax payers please.
Formerly politics rarely entered into
our choice OF town officers, and even then
only to small extent. Now our munich
pal elections often degenerate into a
partisan, political squabbie frsm mayor
down to ward constable. All efforts for a
non-partisan municipal administration
have failed. We have in the board OF
mayor and aldermen instances of divisions
and even quarreis on party lines over ques-
tions affecting only municipal affairs. All
this may delight local politicians, but is
detrimental to our dignity and welfare as
an important municipality, the shire town
of our county.
Formerly we assembled ourselves to-
gether in open town meeting; inquired
into matters; asked our questions; in the
words of Elihu to Job, said "harken unto
me. l also will shew mine opinion;
criticised openly and effectively. Now we
growl and crificise on the street corners,
in the barber-shops, stores, ETC., where it
has no effect.
Formerly We periodically met our fell
low citizens, made and kept up a personal
acquaintance with one another, and con-
ferred with one another on our. common
interests. Now we do not.
In this day, when so much is said of
having the people rule more directly. Of
giving them a more direct control, why
should not we in Ellsworth get back to
G more direct control of our municipal
affairss Will some one tell us why mott
LUCILIUs A. EMERY.