The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-03-20
Reorganization OF the City Govern
ment.

the CITY Charter, the members elect OF the
City Council assembled in their rooms, ir
the City Building for the purpose OF efecting
an organization of the City Government FOL
the current municipal year.
The Board of Aldermen was organized by
the election Of Alderman Joshua Moore III
President; and the Common Council by the
election Of Councilman Charles Hardy. a,
President. and Moses w. Weber as Clerk.
The two branches then met in convention,
when committee was appointed to wait up
on the Mayor elect, and notify him that both
branches of the City Council were organized
and in convention, and to request his attend
ance upon the Convention.
The Committee reported that the Mayor
elect would DO in attendance forthwith.
The Mayor elect, then came into the Con-
vention accompanied by ex-Mayor Fairfield.
The oath Of Office was administered to the
Mayor when prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
Packard.
The Mayor then delivered tho following
address:
MAYORS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen ofthe City Couneii:-we are
called by the will of our fellow citizens to
direct and in some degree to control the of.
fairs Of our city for the coming municipal
year. And in entering upon the duties as
signed us. to the faithful performance OF
which we have now solemnly pledged our
selves, il 10 Of the FIRST Importance that we
diligently inquire what these duties are and
90 perform them, that our efforts may COM
mend themselves to our own consciences and
80 far a. possible to the approval Of those
who have 80 unanimously con6ded their in
terosts to our hands; always remembering
that We are but their servants, and that they
will rightfully demand Of us obedience to their
wishes when clearly and lawfully express
cd.
In conformity with accustomed usages you
will expect OF me to indicate the line Of pol
icy which in my judgment il may DO proper
to pursue and to lay before you such facts as
may assist you in forming Intelligent conclu-
sions with regard TO our interests while the
chief responsibility Of deciding viii rest upon
yourselves.
In times Of ordinary prosperity such as we
have previously enjoyed. a moro liberal ap
preparation in the various departments would
be fully warranted than would at the present
time be consistent with our financial condition
or our true interests. And although the
strictest economy should ALWAYS be observed in
this respect, yet ut this time it will be more
important.
The expenditures for the past wear have
been unusually large, a. will be seen from
the report OF the Finance COMMITTEES. Will.
at the same time II Is believed that under Tho
then existing circumstances they will for the
most part be satisfactory to our citizens.
The city debt, at the commencement of the
last year was reported ut ono hundred and
eleven thousand two hundred and thirty. six
dollars and ifty-6ve cents, Sill ,236, SIS which
at the commencement Of the present munich.
pal year has reached the sum Of one hundred
and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and
thirty.nine dollars and forty-oue cents, Sl36,.
1924 showing an increase during the past
year Of twenty-five thousand Eve hundred
and two dollars and eighty-six cents. $685.
o02.S6. This increase as you are well aware.
WIS couccu " CirCutnstanCtc wholly uutOrt-
seen, and was demanded by the almost unan.
imous voice Of our citizens. while il is but
simple act Of justice to those who have so
faithfully served Us In the management of the
Affairs OF the city during the past year to say
that Almost without exception the expendi.
lures OF the various departments have been
kept within the amounts appropriated.
10 will be the duty Of the COMMITTEES On
finance to take into careful consideration the
various objects for which approximation, will
DO required during the coming wear. and 70
recommend tho raising Of sufficient sum
BY taxation to cover all probable e,nend;.
lures. 90 that the city debt may not DO YEARLY
increased, while il win be no less the duty Of
those having charge Of the various depart.
ments to zoe that in no case the expenditures
exceed the amount 20 appropriated. The
general expenso account OF the city 10 alto
gcthsr too vague and unsatisfactory, and is
the occasion Of much inquiry and specula-
ton. ] would suggest that this account DO
reduced b more definite appropriations which