Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-25

'
Lewiston, gentlemen, today is going
along and following int he footsteps
of our regretted Governor Parkhurst,
and also following in the footsteps
of our Governor His Excellency,
Governor Baxter, in the line of econ
omy, and that it what we are seek
ing for, is economy, anC not plunSlng
the city OF Lewiston into $4,000 in
debtodness and the Lord knows
where it will stop. because You will
see in this bill it gives the Mayer the
authority to hire clerks, any number
of clerks. and we don't know where
it will stop.
Now, gentlemen, after being de
feated inthis caucus this gentleman
went ahead and organized new
ticket known as the Citizens party,
and there was a campaign for the
Citizens, party, but Their" was nothing
done by the non partisan party. And
then electionday came and after ad-
vertising these bills the people of
Lewiston expressed their sentiment
and gave their opinion at the polls,
and the result was that the non par
tisan party, who had the welfare OF
the citizens of Lewiston at hcart, was
elected by about 5000 majority, and
the defeated candidate received the
insignificant vote Of 1000 or little
better, and that defeated candidate is
no one else but the father Of these
bills. The city of Lewiston, gentle
men. is asking YOU to give them a
right to express their views at the
election, and that is all we are asking
for. am not directly opposed to the
bill, but l am opposed to the fact that
this man will not give us the right to
express our own opinion, and it is up
to you, gentlemen. and that is all that
the city of Lewiston asks of YOU. l
thank you. (Applause).
cat this point Mr.. Morncau Of Lew
iston assumed the chair)
Mr.. BUELL. of Belfast; Mr..
Speaker, here is another Committee
report, a unanimous report from the
judiciary Committee, and | do not
think there is any necessity of our
being disturbed over this bill. The
speakers who have enlightened the
House here this morning. have talked
about referring this back to the peO
pie just as if it was something of
great moment. They have talked
about the gentleman who presented
the bill. NOW / am not going to dwell
upon the ambitions of anyone or tell
you anything about their political
past. but just for the purpose of on
tightening this House in regard to
this bill. I am going to read a little
of the first of this bill and the last
of it, and then ask you if you think
our report is right.
No one appeared in opposition TO
this bill before the committee. You
have heard the honorable gentleman
who has Just spoken. (Mr. Wieem2n),
and he asks that the people of Lewis
ton. one of the largest cities in this
State, be afforded an opportunity to
vote upon this proposition. | will
say that while I knew who the gem
tleman was, I did not hear his voice
before that committee at the time
this bin was under consideration. In
order that this House may not he
delayed. let me read to YOU a little
Of the bill. "a city auditor for the
city of Lewiston shall be appointed
by the Mayor"-they have their
placed faith in him by their votes.
This says that he may appoint a city
auditor Is there anythn" very bad
about that? Then it goes on to say,
"He shall hold his office for term
of four years from the date of his
appointment. He shall give 20 the
treasurer of the city of Lewiston
bond for the faithful discharge of his
duties" Is there ANYTHING about that
that is very bad? Isn't that in per-
feet keeping with good government?
Then it follows, with suretiec, or
with surety company authorized to
do business in the State. as surety, to
be approved by the Mayor, with the
advice and consent of the city coun-
Gil. Said bond shall not be less than
ten thousand nor more than fifteen
thousand dollars. He shall he n COM
petent accountant" This splendid
city with all its industry and all it's
life and with all it's commercial viror
shall have a competent accountant
Is there anything very bad about
that? Isn't this bill a good one as
far as / have gone? Then it. pro-
ceeds, vacancy occurring during a
term shall be filled for the unoxpired
term" Then section two provides IS
follows: THE city auditor shall ex-
anime all accounts and demands
against the city, including all mat
ters requiring the payment of money
from the city treasury" That is
something that is most needed in any
city government. "In the examina-
ton of claims, accounts and demands
he may require affidavits that articles
have been furnished, services render
ed, and expenses incurred as therein
specified; and the affidavits for ar
ticles furnished. services rendered.
and expenses incurred, for or by any
officer. institution, commission. or
board of trustees, may be made by
the disburSing agent or any officer
thereof having special knowledge of
the matter" Is there anything there
but what the city of Lewiston needs?
Our committee took up this bill Sec
ton by sectiond and returned a unan-
imous report. Now the argument of
the gentleman from Lewiston who has
offered this amendment "a" (Mr
Larrabee). is all very plausible as far
as appears on the surface of this pro-
position. The people of the city of
Lewiston vote upon this proposition
that subject was brought up in the
committee at that time while the gen.
anything but what was very plausi-
BILE about the proposition at that
time, but now they come in here and