Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-06-07
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Gentlemen Of the City Council -
In assuming the responsible duties Of the
| Office to which have been called by the
suiFrages of my fellow cilizens, would
| tender to them my grateful acknowledge.
ments for tho honor they have thus
| confded to me, and ior the evidence OF
their trust and confidence in me which they
have thus evinced and | pledge th'm
that will to the best OF my abilities faith
fully perform The duties OF my Office, un-
swayed by any other considerations than
my deliberate convictions OF right.
1t will be my duty as the chief executive
officer of this city to see that all the laws
are duly enforced by the proper officers,
and trust that shall be countenanced
and supported by all those who willingly
| impose these restraints upon themselves,
ana who thus exhibit their submission 20
those laws whereby society is held togeth-
er, property securely guarded, and the lib
erty OF that only which is good iosercd and
preserved. But, gentlemen, it will be i'm
possible for me to take even the first step in
my official career without your aid and CO
operation we must act in union, and with
one object in view-the common gOod-un-
influenced by mere personal considerations,
or individual preferences let US com
mcnce, continue, and conclude our official
year, with that vgor which perfect harmo'
ny alone bestows.
Upon the proper management OF the fin
ancial departments depend much OF the pub.
lie good as well as tho success Of our admin.
istralion of the municipal affairs. |, is our
duty to cut off any expense which is moi
oh 81 f,r no bnnpr lfar
or interests of the city; to exercise Il rigid
economy of the means entrusted to our
care, and to exact OF our disbursng agents
strict accountability. Believing that real
economy is inconsistent with a short-sight-
| ed parsimoncy--that our true interests de-
| mand that we should furnish means COM
m n,urate with the ends to be gained, |
would recommend II liberal appropriation Tor
whatever objects we may decide to be abso
| lu,ely necessary or Immediately conducive
| to the health, comfort or happiness of our
| citizens,-but in all cases to let the sum
originally appropriated be the extent of the
| expenditure.
The system of making small appropria-
tions entirely disproportionate TO the obvious
extent Of the work contemplated, is but
concealing under the semblance of econo-
my the worst features Of extravaganza, tor
it involves either The entire loss of the first
| investment, a necessity for a much larger
sum, not OILY TO complete what has been
commenced, but to repair the damage
| which procrastination inevitably entails
upon hal,-accomplished undertakings Let
us count the cost first, and see if we be
able to finish. If the state of our finances
| be- not such as will justify the expenditure,
let the matter rest until such time as we
| shall not only be able to commence, but to
| finish, ii. The expenses of the city have
kept pace vii h its growth in population and
wealth. The opening of new streets, and
| the necessary repairs upon the old tho
| rou.hfares, many OF which are in very
bid condition, owing to their dsarrange-
ment occasoned by the laying of Gas Pipes,
require al this time a large expenditure
AMI while | will not trespass upon your
time To enter infinitely into the affairs Of
this department, deem it but justice as well
as proprie,y Tor me to say that il is underline
| supervision OF u Commissioner who affords
daily evidence of being thoroughly qualified
! for the work, and who has displayed an en-
ergy and ability that cannot tail 10 win
your confidence, and that Of all our fellow
citizens.
One OF tn, most prominent interests en-
trusted 20 the city government, is our sys.
TEN OF Public Schools an interest That
should b. dear to every American heart Tor
The benefits it has conferred, dearer for
those blessing 1t will yet beslow upon our
children. Its object is high aud noble one.
! IL places within the reach OF all a sound
| practical education, aud opening 10 the
| humblest child the road to emiuence, use
iulness, apl wealth. 1t makes good citi-
n. ind is the " mainipillow in the edfce Of
oar real Independence, the palladium ot our
,itlcal satety." The amount oil money
expended tor schools for this city is small ia
comparison with that expended by any 9th
| er cily or town OF its size in New England
| Notwithstanding this. the School Committee
nave secured the services Of teachers capa-
BILE morally and intellectually Of perform
ing the responsible duties which devove
upon them. Their salaries are small, too
small ns compared with the price OF daily
subsistence, or n Just aud liberal rrmunera-
iion Tor 80 important n service; whatever
may be thought of other appropriations, all
llberaI-mnded men will, doubt not, agree
with me that for this institution The only
| question to be asked is, whm dies Il need
With no affected disregard for customs
rendered almost sacred by their antiquity,
| aud making no pretentions To better know.
ledge of our social and moral condition than
had our honorable predecessors, IL IL Dey-
\ ertheless our duty TO enquire how tar the
the present system OF governing the Asy-
II Iun is eonsonsnt with our present condi-