Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-26

It is q significant sign that young
men who feel the responsibilities Of
citizenship and who think for them
selves are joining the citizens move
ment for good government the COM
ing year.
There is one paramount issue be-
fore the voters and that is the un-
warranted extravaganza and unbusi-
ness like management in city affairs
the past year.
Young men not yet voters, persons
without residence, women, all who
have intelligence enough to under
stand the interests Of the city and j
voice to explain them to others, owe
it to themselves to use their influence
to urge these interests on the atten-
ton of the voters and they are doing
it with splendid effect.
A political party has no chartered
rights. II exists solely for the pub
lie convenience and when it fails TO
minister TO the common welfare and
favors its individual. membership its
days of usefulness are over. When
the party whip must be resorted to.
Tot only is the party beyond its prop
er limits. but cooperation with such
a party is a surrender Of citizenship
itself.
The young men of Waterviile are
too intelligent to be hamboozled by
political tricksters and may be de-
pended On 10 assert manly indie
pendence of party bosses. There is
but one way for them to act-to stop
voting to pay party debts or grudges.
To vote for principle and not lose
sight OF the issue. They feel that the
party in power in Waterville has not
been faithful to its promises of hon.
est, economical city government ana
coming year.
They all want good city govern
ment and they are going to try to get
it.
According 10 the figures given yes
terday the amount assessed for taxes
has increased so much that the. last
city administration had s32,SSS.02 mora
from this source than in 1910. Be-
sides having this the city is increas-
ing its debt at the rate of s27500.00
a year (s117.s20.o0 in four years. 50
that about 100000 is being dropped in
to the lap of the city government
from this source. The voters want
to know why they don't have more to
show for the $4,000 a year that is
raised by taxation plus the s21,5oD a
year the city is going in debt.
1, is no wonder the citizens de-
rland a statement of the disposition
Of these funds before voting to con-
tinue the democrats in power another
year.
A thirty nina per cent. increase in
the debt Of the city in four years Is
certainly a record breaker for Wa
terv!lle, at that rate in ten years
we would be about $4,000 in the hole.
No man II his right mind thinks for d
! minute that We can stand such j
debt as that. but what is TO prevent
the city from becoming so burdened
with debt that necessary improve
ments cannot be carried along? Their =
| is only one answer to that question
& change OF administration must be
had The old crowd has had things
in hand SO long that they DO not
think it necessary to ever make
statement Of what they
are doing with all our money. or 4.
| least they put it off SO long that no one
can find time to study it before the
voting is over.
| The Big Citizens Movement now in
full swing is gaining impetus every
Gay and it looks like a veritable land
slide for good government and a BUSH
ness administration with Hon. Martin
F. Bartlett as mayor.
No such interest and enthusiasm has
been manifested among independent
voters for years. Everybodys talking
for "a business administration next
year, and that's a sign they'll get il,