The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-03-06
AN OPEN LETTER FROM
CLYDE \. SMITH
Invites Discussion of His Relation to
Municipal Affairs

Municipal Affairs
Because of receiving so many in
quiries whether | am to be a candi-
date for reelection and in order to
give any opposition ample opportun-
ity for acquainting the voters with
their complaints, offer this early
statement. First. ! wish to say that
had it not been for the untimely TAX
| ing of three town officials, during the
| past seven months, | should have
resigned from municipal affairs soon
after assuming legislative duties, and
only in the spirit of keen appreciation
my fellow townspeople, did l choose to
remain thus to work night and day.
For some time it has been my desire
! to engage in some business enter
prise rather than to continue in town
work. but business uncertainties and
the absence of the right opportunity
! for a venture of this kind, has caused
the delay. yet this is no reason why
| should remain in town affairs. And
! | wish to state at this time that if
/ there is any appreciable number of
the towns representative citizens,
who desire a change, that | will be
only too pleased to withdraw as a
contestant, but If a malicious few who
constitute the remnants of the old
ring, including those who never at
! tempted a public spirited act other
than from a selfish standpoint. at
tempt to bring about my defeat
| through Misrepresentation, | cheer
| fully accept the challenge, and am
ready to meet these gentlemen who
so yainly attempt to create a false
| impression by trying to take advan
| tage of unavoidable conditions per-
tanning to the wood yard and road
work; and in order that the people
may learn all of the facts prior to
election day. | hereby extend to my
opponents an invitation to discuss at
any public place they may designate,
/ all town matters. And if such meet
ing does not open wide their insinceri-
! ty and their utter inability to substan-
tiate their misleading statements,
will refrain from being candidate
for first selectman, and this offer
holds good up to and including town
meeting day.
The town has never been so we'll
prepared to furnish coal and wood as
at the present time and while it was
impossible to conceive the future and
know that last fall was to consist of
an unusually wet season, making 1t
impossible to care for or take from
! the wood lots, large quantities of wood
or that we were to have an open win
ter, thus halving the amount of fuel
to be used yet we believed then and
know now that every effort was justi-
| lldDlc III II sln6 " piCNtHt itpCll-
ton of last years sufferings. The
result Is that the town, at a low price
has more than a thousand cords of
splendid wood all in the fuel sheds
and yards, ready for delivery next
summer and fall when it is almost
impossible to get wood. And contrary
to extravagant predictions, the fuel
yard account has again come out on
the right side OF the ledger, thus prov
ing the desirability of this municipal
venture, which other towns and cities
are now hurrying to follow our lead.
Most men realize that the scarcity
and the high cost Of labor and mater
ial has rendered road work, not only
In Skowhegan, but all over the coun-
try, almost impossible, and with less
money to work with and wages at
$500. instead of $175 per day, can
bring but one result. There will be
an article in the town warrant, ask
ing the voters to make a selection
for Road Commissioner, and the Sc
lectmen should confirm the choice of
the people by appointing the man Sc
lected. My efforts of the past four
years as municipal officer Is an open
book and on my record, | am ready
to stand or fall
CLYDE H. SMITH.