Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-13
Monday, December ts, 1870.
Thersass every reason for voting
early this year. There, are more vstsrs
50 go early and avoid the rush.
A Discreditable, Attempt

A Discreditable, Attempt
The people of Augusta being admit
ted to be of average intelligence and
fairly well acquainted with political
methods we do not apprehend that
any considerable number of them will
be Influenced by an eleventh hour
statement published the morning Of
election ana so affording opponents no
opportunity for replying. In doing
this we think DIR. Mann is ill advised
az well as misinformed.
The Journal does not assume to
make reply for the Republican city
committee Or for the city officers. The
Mayor made a Straightforward state
mcnt at the Republican caucus; the
city committee replied at some length
to DR.. Mann's previous statements.
We have every reason to believe the
committees statements correct and
that il they could have the opportun-
ity their reply to the doctors last ef-
fort would be equally conclusive. In
justice to our readers, however, It
seems obligatory on the Journal to
call attention to paipable errors con-
taihed in the letter.
To illustrate, take his criticism re-
specting the school appropriation and
his statement that school money can
only be used on schools. He 'appar-
entity didn't know that the school
money is neither fixed nor expended
by the administration he criticized;
that at the beginning Of the year
$4,000 was set aside for the purpose,
and that having done this, 30 antici-
pating the amount to be received from
the State, this amount when later
received reimburses the city SO much
and is a fund to be used by It, the
(: same as the railroad and telegraph
taxes. There in no excuse for this err
ror of the doctor. any more than there
lis for postponing his statements to
athe latest hour possible. The. city
treasurer's books are open. His ex-
pert could have had access to them
earlier had he wished. The auditors
accounts are made up every month
and presented to the city council. The
Democrats. have had every opportun-
ity to get the facts had they wanted
them. Tha: they didn't do this 10 the
kindest inference, for assuredly they
have not made use of them in their
statements.
Doctor Mann reiterates his charge
that the city went behind $4,000 In
1919. but why has he not presented his
proofs? Tho Republicans replied to
that showing the city made net gain
Of over 81. 0O0-and the books will be
there the day after election as they
have been all along to prove 1t. And
a. for the matter Of bookkeeping. the
method is that installed by Prof: Hor-
mel Of Bowdoin and Is acknowledged
to be one of the best known. Water.
vile adopted it after examining the
operation Of it here. IN:
1t really seems to us that there is
in the Doctors statement evidence of
a desire to nnislead and prejudice. az
well as lack Of knowledge. Where
are the figures his expert obtained?
Why when criticizing pauper ex-
penses has no not mentioned cases!
He declares the highway Expenditures
enormous and wasteful and in no way
excusable on account Of higher wages:
why wages alone? Doesn't he know
that material. everything has been
higher? Does he not know there was
expended $4,000 more on account OF
heavy snowfall than Is required on
the average? The administrators
dpes not regulate the weather-at
least no one claims this one has.
perhaps Pr. Mann's could, But why
30 on. Those who run may read
the Inconsistencies in these attempts
to discredit officials who have en-
dured what every individual and con-
Germ, has been compelled TO endure
the past two years. but who have
kept their. record clean and omen IN