The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-13

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equal proportions yll2+ v21 ,%ioL55 loA
3 AZ an inevitable result of the increased ex-
penses consequent upon the war taxes, CORE
=, uIngiy Increased, bear heavily upon all
classes OF our citizens. 1t therefore becomes
US, to whom the financial concerns of the city
are committed, to be watchful of its treasury
and to urge economy in every department OF
The government. sisY i a-llc 1904 Oh
l shall not attempt in this brief address to
present even a general statement of the NUM-
cipal affairs, but will refer you for information
20 the published reports of the several depart
nents soon to be issued.
Nor shall I with my scanty knowledge of
,1blic business presume to offer many sugges-
lions for your future guidance. i-asnc.I 30
Inere are, however, few matters of es-
pecial interest to which will briefly refer
Our public schools, the bulwarks of national
strength, and Justly the pride of our citizens,
should not suffer by comparison with the best
schools in New England. No interest of gray
or Importance is entrusted to the city govern
nent than that OF public education. Our peo-
pie have learned the value of intelligence and
will demand that our schools maintain their
present high standard. 81
The fire and police departments will always
claim your earnest and careful attention. The
reorganization of the fire department few
years since, and the gradual displacement by
steam fire engines of those formerly in use, has
increased to a wonderful extent its efficiency.
Dur people thereby feel greater security, from
destructive fires, and rates of assurances have
considerably declined.
Many were apprehensive that the sudden
return OF the country from state of war to
| peace, would cause a revulsion in business, but
we have happily so far been spared this calam-
ity, and the commercial and industrial inter-
asts OF our city were never more prosperous.
1t is thought probable by eminent medical
men, that the cholera, which the past year
das been making such fearful ravages in Eu-
rope and Asia, may soon make its appearance
on this continent. 1t is therefore our duty to
De prepared for this contingency, by putting
our city in the very best sanitary condition
The sale Of Intoxicating liquors in open vio-
lation of law it is evident is still doing its sub
tie and ruinous work in our midst. It is a
blight upon every industrial interest and the
nosG1rdlGfui sourceof miseryamOng our people
Is there no preventive This subject is worthy
your earnest consideration. ea5I - ~ -
And now gentlemen, as we enter upon the
work before us, let us do so with an eye single
to the best interests of the whole community.
Let us labor for no party or clique, but for the
welfare of the whole people. Let our action
be such, that the man of property shall have
confidence that his accumulations are secure
from unwise and reckless expenditures, and
The laborer have assurance that we are not un-
mindful Of his interests. Let the conduct of
our deliberations be courteous, and dignifed,
and in spirit of mdtnal forbearance. \
And above all, having sought the favor of
that Divine Power before whom mans wis
dom is foolishness, let our integrity be above
suspicion; let us labor as honest, conscientious
men, so that when we surrender the trusts
now committed to us, we may do so with the
consciousness Of having performed every du-
ty, with rectitude of purpose and without par
tiaiity. aEHl J.l AUG. E. STEVENS