The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-29
ADDRESS
OF THE
MAYOR OF BATH.
To thet,oo branches of the city Council, IN Con-
cention, March 20, lS4S.
A d D Il Il s s
n II II ~ II
OF THE

GENTLEMEN OF THE Cry COUNCIL:
Having no ambition for the place assigned
me blythe favor and confidence of my fellow
citizen, shold have been gratifed had the
selection falleMon some one of the many to
be found, who from capacity, disposition ard
leisure, would have performed its duties much
more 10 the satisfaction and for the interest of
the community than can hope to do. In ac-
ceptinB the office, l trust am fully aware of
my dependence on your kind indulgence, and
CO operation, and of my greater dependence
on that higher power, without whose aid all
human effort is vain, to enable me in any
| measure to meet your reasonable expectations.
Weare assembled to organize new and
different form of Government for the town in
whichIwe live-the birth placc of many, and
long the happy home of others-a place plea
SAINT to dwell in-with many advantages, both
for the successful pursuit of business, and for
the enjoyment of those blessings of life which
are so richly provided for the human race.
For years, our little community, composed
of a prudent and all Industrious population,
has pursued the even tenor of its way-ad-
vancing steadily in wealth, intelligence and
pectabty-avoiding all those wild and
visionary schemes Of speculation which have
so suddenly built up, and as suddenly put
down, some other communities, until we have
earned and established solid and enduring
reputation for integrity and responsibility,
throughout the land and across the sea.
In the meanwhile, our extended and in
creasing population, and the multiplicity of
our concerns, have seemed to demand for the
better management of our municipal affairs, a
change in the mode of administration. In
accordance Herewith, City Charter has been
obtained, and with great unanimity accepted j;
by which, the corporation is invested with all
necdful powers to protect and secure the best
interests of the city, and is required to exer-
else an active light of all its concerns.
| This change, however. has not been alto
gether nor mainly on account OF our present
or immediate wants, but rather for what we
may expect to need.
We live in free land country favored
above all others by its free institutions, the
many Privileges it enjoys, and the industry
and enterprise of its inhabitants. Increasing
in wealth and population with astonishing ra-
pidity, it is yet to exert controlling influence
over the destinies of the world. What we are
to be, no human mind has ever vet conceived
Of this highly favored land, our own State
forms an essential part. Rich in natural adj
qantages, with abundant and inexhaustible
resources yet undeveloped, and the increasing
facilities of Rail Road and other communica-
tons, we are yet to occupy an important posi-
ton in the country and on the page of its his
tory. With these prospects for our country
and our State, we may well expect our own
town, from it's central location, it's connection
with the interior and with other cities and
counties, to become greatly enlarged and beau
titled, and ultimately one of the most thriving
and wealthy of all the Atlantic cities. 1t is
not, therefore, for Bath as it is-but as it is tc
be-that this change in the form of our ad.
minis,ration has been made, and authority OBJ.
tanned to guard and watch over its concerns
and protect its interests. A brief allusion tt
some of these interests and concerns may moi
be out of place.
In awell regulated business community, The
state and condition of its streets and high
ways, is of very considerable Importance
These should be kept always in good order
with suitable sidewalks, convenient and clean
and should be free from all unnecessary in
cumbrances, either in or over the streets o
walks, endangering limbs, and perhaps life
and by which the neatnsss and the beauty 0
these avenues and the good appearance of tn
whole place are essentially marred-more es
pecially, while the streets are narrow, irregu
lar and crooked. This matter will be one 0
the first to claim your notice.
The health of every place is entrusted to it
municipal officers, and to secure it all necdtu
facilities for air and for exercise, should be af
forded, and suitable laws and regulation
adopted to provide against internal uncleanli
ness and the introduction of foreign disease.
"The Poor we have always with you, AM
it is the duty and the privilege of all goo'
men, as well as the dictates of religion, max
ample provision for the support, health ant
comfort of this unfortunate class, among whom
we know not how soon some or all of us ma
be numbered. I am happy in believing tina
the general course adopted and provided il
this place with regard to the poor, has beel
successful in securing their comfort, and is en-
tirely consistent with kindness and benevo
lonce,