Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-15

Appropriations Over the Top
Pittsfeld Town Meeting
Pittsheld's 1922 town meeting will
70 on record as one Of the liveliest
sessions held in several years. 1t
seemed like the old-time meetings
when the voters used to get worked
up to high tension and say pretty per-
sonal things. At Mondays session
the moderator had to call two or
three to order for getting personal in
their comments. But it's all over
now and the Ratchet is buried and
now everybody will have to get to
work to make some money to pay the
tax bill, because it's going to be
whopper this year. 1t was high last
year and 1t cannot help being con-
siderable higher this coming year. 1t
was a great day for the fellow who
wanted to get an appropriation.
Hardly an appropriation that was
called for but what went through. A
few who apparently intended to try
and keep the appropriations down
soon gave 1t up.
The meeting was called to order at
ten o'clock by Town Clerk, Thomas
l.. Gctchell. Thomas A. Anderson was
chosen moderator Mr.. Anderson
made an excellent moderator and it
was only by his keeping right behind
things that the meeting was able to
adjourn at five o'clock.
Thomas E. Getchell was reelected
= 10
the reports OF the several town OFF,
GERS.
On motion OF William Osborn it
vas voted to elect road commits
sioner in regular order under article
five instead of leaving it to the select
men to appoint one as is sometimes
done.
Mr.. Coolidge made a motion that
six tellers be appointed to distribute
and collect votes but it was the SEN
tment Of the meeting that it was
best to ballot in the old way by hav-
ing everybody walk up to the ballot
box and deposit their votes.
The first contest developed over the
selection OF a first selectman. There
were three candidates for the posi-
ton: Harry H. Thurlough. j. E. Nc
Michael and T.. +. Johnson. On the
first ballot 800 votes we're cast max
ing necessary for choice 161. Mr..
McMichael had so. Mr.. Thurlough 1Oo
and Mr.. Johnson 155, thus there was
no choice.
Before the second ballot was taken
Nj. McMichael withdrew from the
contest. The result Of the second
ballot was as follows: McMichael six,
Thurlough 142 and Johnson 219. The
amount necessary for a choice was
ia and Mr.. Johnson was declared
elected.
Then they went to it for the sec
ond selectman's position. Three cam
didatos developed for this position as
Mr. Thurloughs friends put his bal
lots in motion for the second select
mans position. The total vote for
second selectman was 291, making
necessary for choice LAG. Mr.. Ames
had 100. Mr.. Thurlough 70. J. +.
Trickcy 80 and l.. II. Willis one.
Then came the contest for third
and as there were not so many as
pirants for this, the thing was fought
out between MIR. Thurlough and Mr..
Trickey who had been out for posi-
tons higher up on the board. The
result OF the ballot was: Total vote
cast 2i2: necessary for choice 122.
Mr.. Triclley had 20, ]. f. McMichael
had two and II. Fl. Thurlough was
elected with ISL.
On motion Of William Osborn the
selectmen were elected as assessors
and overseers OF the poor.
A proposition to increase the board
OF water commissioners from three to
five was voted down.
The resignation of Charles II. Bus
sell who is giving up the position on
account OF his recently being ap-
pointed postmaster was read by
Judge o. II. Drake and was accepted.
William l.. Frost whose term of three
years expired this year declined to
serve again. Henry n. Fernald was
elected for the three year term and
William e. Priest to fill the term Of
one year caused by the resignation
OF Mr.. Russell.
Then came the contest for road
commissioner. A. B. Johnson, the
candidate OF tho retail merchants
association was opposed by L. H.
Willis. who has been road COM
missioner here in former years.
The total vote cast in this contest
was 2s3. making necessary for choice
132. Mr.. johnson had 40, and Mr..
Willis had 173 and was declared
elected.
The entire slate Of candidates pro-
posed by the retail merchants went
down In defeat. The reason for this
Is attributed by many as being a re-
dictionary effect from a flier which
merchants candidates. The motive
behind this fier was thought to have
been misconstrued by many. and 1t
certainly looked like a bad piece Of
engineering. or course the other can
didates were strong and had a big
following and perhaps the vote
wouldn't have been much different.
but sevcra, who have been mixed up
In campaigns like this before think
the ficrs that were distributed cut
down the votes of the merchants
candidates, instead Of increasing
them.
Mrs. Sadie E. Mayo. whose term Of
once on the school board expired,
was again elected for three year
term. At this point the meeting ad-
journed until / o'clock.
Promptly at the appointed time Mr..
Anderson put the meeting in motion
again and Ada z. CONN was elected
a member Of the board of trustees Of