Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-28
Continued from Page One)

1unctOrily but with enthusiasm, not
simply as the nominee of a political
party but as a man, whose personal
following is greater than his political
following, and who shall lead united
party to victory against the common
enemy
The selection of a candidate by this
caucus is important in its bearing upon
the September election. Why? That
victory at this election may be an
Earnest of victory in September ana
that the friends of good government
in State and county affairs, may be
by victory in the preliminary engage
ment inspired with greater courage
and hope for the later battle.
1.-THE candidate nominated tonight
will win that victory and furnish tnat
inspiration.
HAS the Republican party any just
claim to the support of the citizens
of Augusta at the polls? We have
lived under q Democratic administra-
tion for some years, are taxes increas-
ing or decreasing? Admitted that we
have made improvements, macadam
roads, new school buildings, new light
Ing, but have these had any effect upon
the current tax rate have they not
rather been paid for by bond issues?
Are maturing bonds being paid at
maturity as was case under Republi-
can administrations or are they be-
ing refunded and payment postponed!
Has the present administration man
aged the city business economically
and with sound judgment? Or does
Investigation show a tendency toward
yvastefulness and a constant increase
of the fixed charges to be paid, year
by year? If a fair candid investlga-
Sion shows that taxes are constantly
increasing, that bonds maturing under
the present administration, have been
sxhoily or in part refunded, instead OF
being paid; that in the place or econ
omy, liberality and even extravaganza
mas marked city expenditures that
the fixed annual charges of the city
are being constantly increased. then
we may fairly claim the support OF
the voters at the polls.
mo city is safe which piles up ex-
pense and fixed charges year by year
and meets them by bond issue and in
creased taxation. At the end is repu-
| diation and dishonor.
The present mayor has issued a
review of his administration and Its
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, il is not my purpose
IN criticize il in detail. 1t would per-
haps not be unfair to remark that II
appears to be highly colored and TO
arrogate to the present administration
credit which perhaps does not wholly
belong to II.
Among the accomplishments men
TONED are the new street lights on
Water and Cony streets.
NO one. | think. will deny their
beauty and utility. yet they constitute
| am informed, an increase in the an
.nual fixed charges of the city of over
$4,000.
"other instances along the same line
might be multiplied. All of them are
i for the thoughtful consideration OF
the citizen who has the best interests
Sof his city at heart. and will be by
. him given due weight.
Mr. Chairman. I wish to present
for nomination by this caucus man
well known and greatly respected by
us all; that he is good business man
| is proved by the splendid business
| which he has built up in this COM
munity; that he is a man of the hign-
'est moral character is attested py MS
blameless life. his hawless reputation,
and DIV the Inner GOHSNiOdchNo0 -
'ery man within the hearing of my
voice; that he is strong man IN the
political sense has been demonstrated
NV. his election to the 18th Legisla-
ture as one of the representatives from
This CITY. in contest which showed
the strength of his own personal fol-
lowing. by his record on the floor of
the House and the commanding infiu-
ence which he welded there; by the
gallant fight and splendid showing
made by him as the candidate of hls
party for mayor in .he municipal cam
paign of 1913 This man in the IN
,terests of his city and by the deslr"
of the members of his party to man
has disregarded the claims of his pri-
waite business and consented to lead
that party in the coming municipal
campaign, the Hon. Willis E. Swift of
Augusta"
At the close of Mr. Sawtelle's speech
of nomination John H. Bussell arose
and in behalf of the Republican vot-
ers of Ward l. seconded the nomina-
tion. being followed in turn by Wilbert
S. Wilson of Ward 2, Danforth l..
Nash of Ward 8; Joseph P. Grenier OF
Ward 4, w. S. Knowles of Ward 8,
Walter NJ Sanborn of Ward 8, ana
Frank G. Harrington of Ward Z, all
of whom brought messages of conn-
dence and assurances of support from
their respective wards.
Then came a chorus from all quar-
ters of the hall, of Speech. Speech
Swift" and as that gentleman ap-
speared he was greeted by tumult
of applause. Mr.. Swift was suffering
from a severe cold and was hoarse to
sthe extent that it was very difheuit
for him to talk, but in spite of that ne
delivered q speech that was fuii OF
meaning, business-like and easy to un-
derstand, and it's acceptance by the
gathering was shown by the rouslng
cheers that shook the hall as ne nm
Ished. Mr.. Swifts speech in full was
as follows:
'"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the
Caucus.
"I desire to thank Mr.. Sawteile ana
those who have spoken from the aif-
ferent wards for the able manner IN
(which they have placed my name pe-
fore this caucus and for their KIND