Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-15

tuWdlI Iuo uuanlmOuS program OF
the city government.
And furthermore, If any citizen at
any time, overcome by a sense of
curiosity as to how the electorate
feels on any proposition contem-
plated by the city government, can
plunge this city into a special cleo
ton costing hundreds of dollars, just
to see how it will answer certain
questions relating to public i'm
provement or anything else, it is
certainly an alarming state of af-
fairs, and should be remedied by a
return to the old fashioned town
meeting type of government, where
everything is thrashed out once for
all on, town meeting day. There
are many already IN favor OF Sucn
a change, but as long as we still
have a representative system of gov
eminent, let us not try to substitute
a popular election on every meas
ure involving the expenditure OF
public money, especially in view OF
the fact that the mayor and alder
men are elected only for the short
term of one year and devote their
best energies and conscientious at
tention to all matters pertaining TO
the best interests of the city.
There is absolutely no disposition
on the part of any member of the
present city government to set him
self up as an autocrat or feel that
he does not want to learn and keep
in touch with the sentiment of the
people whom he represents. but this
government is not going to establish
the precedent of encouraging refer
endums of lists of questions not con-
templated by the charter, just to
satisfy the curiosity of any citizen
getting three hundred names to a
petition. And when the voters have
given careful reading of this state
ment and used their fairest judg-
ment in the whole matter, we are
forced to believe that they will de-
eide that the city government did
have a constructive plan. carefully
worked out, looking to the ultimate
lettering and improvement of our
good old city, and it was the critics
of the bill that had no plan or def
mite reason for their position except
a smoke screen made up of a mix
ture of a desire to avoid additional
taxes, and an imputed lack of vision
and business judgment upon the part
of the mayor and six aldermen.
According to the public report of
Mr.. Heselton's address in South Gar
diner, he stated that the eXpendi-
lures of 1924 are likely to reach the
total of S241, 600 Mr.. Heselton must
have again been getting his informa-
ton from back number of the
Maine Register, as this figure is not
justified by the City Records or the
appropriation bill; If he will cut this
amount in half it will be more near
ly correct.
A large part of the funds that the
city receives from the State is to
reimburse the city for money, which
the city has already advanced for the
State, such as, soldiers pensions,
mothers aid, and school funds. etc.
The State and county tax and inter-
est on past Indebtedness alone
amount to over $4,000. Add to this
what it cost to run our schools and
it amounts to over 100000. In re-
gard to the additional appropriation
raising the prices of commodities on
Water street, every good citizen and
business man knows that the law of
competition and the cost Of goods
determine the selling price and not
an additional dollar or two more tax,
so that the resurfacing of Water
street would not cost the poll tax
payers a cent.
On Tuesday you will be called up
on to accept or reject the appropria-
ton for this year but in either case
the expense of running the city will
have to be met. Extra elections add
to this expense. but we believe that
the citizens generally will uphold us
in our work of conducting the affairs
of the city in a business like, eco
nomical, and progressive manner.
Attention is again called to the
meeting at the high school auditor
ium this evening at 7.3O o'clock, at
which all citizens are cordially in
vited to be present and learn the
facts upon which they are to vote
next Tuesday.
MAYOR AND ALDERMEN