The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-03-23

current political year. The Mayor elect, Jona-
than Tuck Esq, having been notified, appeared
and the necessary oaths OF office were admins
tered by the City Clerk TO him lin presence Of
the Board of Aldermen.
The Common council was organized By the
election of p. S. Deering as President, and
L. II. Hayes Esq, as Clerk. All the members
Of both. branches were presentin Retrospective
rooms.
IN CONVENTION.
Both branches met in convention and the
oa,hs of Office we're respectively administered to
the Board Of Aldermen and to the members OF
the council by the Mayor
The throne of Grace was then addressed by
: Rev. Mr.. Foster.
The Mayor then arose and addressed the
convention as follows;
GenHeaen Qfhe board of Aldermen and o.
tie common Council:
Having taken taken the oath ofoilice, we now
enter upon the discharge OF the duties incum-
bent upon us, in our respective positions.
Valuable interests are committed to our
charge, and il becomes each and oil OF us 10
devote our energies to their advancement and
prosperity.
In looking back over the last ten years, we
cannot hut acknowledge that Kind providence
has watched over, and blessed us rs Town
and City. Daring the period named, our pop
uIa,ion has increased from COOS to 10000, our
valuation, from 2,i76.72s to 4,593,Oi AZ
the present time there are about two aud halt
million of incorporated capital, employing IN
the manufacture of cotton goods, and building
cotton Machinery, three thousand persons
Unvinc naygablc tide water upon one siue'
and falls upon the other, the facilities Tor
notwithstanding and transporting the articles
made, give unto us a never iaiiIhS sourcco VI
activity and prosperity.
/ believe the value of our granite has not yet
been appreciated II is of the very best des-
cription, in its hardness, fncncss and color,
and inexhaustible in quantity. IL is near the
wharf, and also on both sides Of the Rail Road.
In quality, believe 1t to be superior to any
in the State. Our abundance OF clay, ~ also,
of "a superior quality. The above facts furnish
strong argument for the location OF the ST ite
prison within our limits. Our NUMBERING in
terests arc also extensive, and give employment
to large number OF nen. Ii is estimated that
1000 900 feet of timber comes down the Saco
Riyerannualy, ind large quantities, in the winter
season, arehaued into our place on teams.
In accordance with the almost unanimous
wish of our citizens, the city council OF last
year undertook the construction OF city
building, the site selected met the general con-
curreuce. and the arrangement OF the building,
with stores below, and offices and hall above,
was generally approved. o vote authorizing
struction of the building, was passed by the
City Council, and the Treasurer, in accordance
with the vote has borrowed Sl4 800, specifically
for that purpose The remainder OF the ex-
penditure upon the building and lot, amount
ing in the whole, to S2l $40, 10 has been paid
out of the finds ON hand from time to time.
The building, SO far rs constructed, is
handsome one. AS the granite and brick are
ofhOmc production, prepared and put together
By our own Mechanics and laborers, we can
point with pride to the structure, as proof OF
the excellence of our building materials and the
skill Of our workmcn. II is foryou to deter
mine the steps to he taken, rs to finishing the
building, according to the plan.
TIL. Gnancial condition Of the city, is plainly
stated in the report of tho Committee
on finance, which has just been printed,
and contains also, the TreasureIs account, re-
ports of the Chief Engineer of the Fire depart-
mcnt, City Marshals, Superintendent ofburials,
and Oyersecrs of the poor, To all of which
refer you. We there see that the city debt now
stands ut ST., l09,50 In looking over the
statement of the expenditures for q series Of
years, have found that in almost every year
more has BEEN spent than was raised By taxa
ton, showing, ii the expenditures were necccs-
sary, that sufficient gum ot money was not
raised would suggest to you, that the form
OF our Indebtedness he 50 changed, that paper
against the city nigh. be negotiated outside of
the Treasurcr's Office.
Taxation is a subject upon which the people
are very sensitive. 1t is ancccssary evil. and
cannot be dispensed with We should hive an
eye TO strict economy in every appropriation,
and in every expenditure. Aud every person,
who has prOpertyto be assessed, should appear
before the ASSESSORS AZ the proper time, due
notice of which is given by them, aud give in
a true list of his estate, aud when the tax is
assessed, pay il without murmer or complaint.
Taxation with us, is less than in most other
cities in the State.
/ commend to your fostering care the %
public schools of tic city. II is unnecessary
Tor me to say much upon their Importance, and
the necessity of making liberal appropriations
for their support.
During the last year, new engine has been
purchased, new Engine house has been built,
and four new reservoirs, placing our Fire De-
partmcnt in excellent condition. We have two
active and efficient Engine companies, with
hose, hooks and ladders, and other appurton-
anccs 10 correspond. Our firemen have been
prompt upon all occasions, when their services
have been needed. At the tap of the bell, or the
cry OF fire, 10y day or by night, they Mt once
respond in manner, Characteristic of the ex-
pertness, the courage, and the tcarlessness of
the Zouayes of the French army.
Credit Is due our municipal and Police de-
partments, for the qhiet and good order that
has peryadcd our streets the last year. We
never had less Of turbulence and noise in any
year. They have acted on the principle that
Justice should ever be tempered with mercy
and Kindness On this principle shall act,
using my efforts and my infutncc,as Tar as they
To promote the welfare, the peace. the quiet,
and the general interest of our city, hoping
WY JONATHAN TUCK.
Subsequently another convention was held
and made choice of the following persons as
city officers.
City Clerk George II. Knowlton.
Treasurer, Shadrack A. Boothby.
City Physician, Francis g. Warren.
city Solicitor, L. II. Hayes.
Supervisor of Schools. Horace Piper.
Collector, Shairack a. Boothby.
Health officer, Hiram Porter.
Superintendent ofCuricls, lothian Benson.
Street Comm issioners, District 4, Francis
York, Ward 1, Nahum Tarbox, Ward y, Samuel
Bradbury.
Orerseers Of the Poor, N. o. Kendall, John
Tuck, Isaac p. Quincy. The convention then
dissolved.
The Rules and orders of last year were
seycrally adopted in both branches until o,her-
wise ordered, and an adjournment then took
place until Wednesday att. p. NJ.
All the officers chosen are republicans.