Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-21
Always a Democrat

Editor Kennebec Journal
Allow me to quote the following from
the editorial columns of Friday:
I'VE do hope Mayor Newbert will not
spring any of that 'non-partsan' stuff
on the Democratic State convention, be-
cause, maybe they have NOTICED how the
Augusta city government was organized
and appointments made
The foregoing may have been in
tended as a pleasantly. If expressed in
conversation it might easily be so
taken. Given to the large reading pub
lie, however, the editorial takes on
different character. 1t embodies, at
least, suggestion that something was
wrong in the organization of the Au-
gusta City Government last Monday
The Augusta City Government was
organized last Monday in accordance
with our best traditions and in strict
conformity to law. No person who
knows aught of these things can find
in the exercises of Monday even "a sus-
pieion of wrong. In every instance the
nominees of the Democratic caucus
were elected. No advantage was taken
of the absence of Alderman Bassett.
In all cases the ballot was along party
the elected officials. Had Alderman
BaSSett been present, it would have
remained for the Mayor to break the
tie. Under existing political condi-
tions in this city and in view of the
bitter partisan campaign waged against
the administration, know my duty
as an official and as a citizen and
should have done it.
A no. ,x.tx~ ,-Afn 10, -,
the editorial, it is only necessary to
say that, covering a long period of
years, Mayors of Augusta have made
these appointments, and the power of
confirmation has been lodged with the
Aldermen. / can find no record of an
instance where the Aldermen assumed
the appointing power. Acting in ac-
cordance with long practice in this
city and supported by an able legal
opinion, l made these necessary APP
pointments in the Board of Aldermen,
and the Board refused to confirm. At
the same time / permitted the nominal
ton of the Republican aldermen to be
entered and made matter of record.
If there be question of right as be-
tween the Mayor and the Board l am
sure it can be determined by compe-
tent authority, for as Mayor of Au-
gusta / do not wish to assume any
prerogative which is not legally mine.
My appointments of last Monday are
as follows
Member of Board of Health for 8
years, John III. Cogan.
Health officer, G. A. Coombs, M. ID.
superintendent of Burying Grounds,
Geo. A. Prescott.
Fonr Trustees to Lithgow Library
for three years., M. S. Holway, F. w.
Plaisted, Henry E. Dunpack and Syl-
vester J. Beach.
City Constables, Lawrence j. Colgan
and Orren L. Choats.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Grin
B. Frost.
Harbor Master, Guy p. Gannett.
Inspector Of Buildings, Edwin e.
Taylor
This is the list which the Aldermen
refused to confirm either in whole or
In part Among these l think no one
would say that Mr.. Holway or Mr..
Dunnack or Mr.. Gannett or DIR.
Coombs is Democrat. OF the Demo-
Gratis in the Install are reappointments
of faithful officials, efficient In their
departments and having the confidence
of the people.
If -partisanship in city affairs
has been set back ten years because of
the recent election, / ask the sober