The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-03-23
MAYOR SHAW'S
Inaugural Address.

GENTLEMEN or the CITY COuNciL:
As we enter today upon new municipal year,
and have assumed the important trusts which tho
position We occupy imposes a strict review ot the
past AMI careful consideration Of the require
nents of the future, will be equally becoming.
One year a-n ut this time | took upon myself
the responsibilities and attaching To the ot.
foe l now hold To say that u was with \ inll
knowledge of my incOmpetency Tor the posulon
would convey To- YOU no adequate idea ut the
ms-iyings with which entered upon my duties.
To say that have discharged those duties accept
ably, even to any, would, perhaps, be assuming
too much; for the fact that one has performed hi.
task faithfully or TO the best Of his ability should
not always be taken ~ IN equivalent for results
Attendant upon lack Of knowledge or errors in
Judgment. BE that rs Il may, however, II any
official act OF mine has wrought injustice, injury
or ill-feeling. one can possibly regret II more
sincerely than do. IL IL is sail that others OF
Iuaturer years sni larger experience would have
'lone differently or better under like circumstan
oes. believe me when say that fully coincide in
that opinion myself, aud shall be the last one To-
soutroyert the assertion. Never having claimed
any especial fitness for the position. have moth
ing tO offer either "a excavation Justification,
but supply ask what no one can lcny me. the
credit of having honestly aud impartisly dis
charged to the best OF my ability the duties of an
office never solicited. IL | have succeeded even
pssssbly, II is in great measure attributable to
the indulgent consideration have received from
tho members OF the late City Council, for whose
Amy acts OF courtesy and kindness have been
constantly placed under the greatest obligations.
That all their doings have been characterized by
honesty of purpose have no reason to doubt;
that they all have been wise or prudent, time
alone can determine. But hOwsoeyer IL may he
with others, speaking only for myself while !
make no promises for the future, can say that
look back upon the past with no desire to recall
single official act, even had the power, and bet.
ter than this should be required OF no one.
Gentlemen, the anomaly OF my position under
present. circumstances, undoubtedly apparent to
YOU, Is certainly most kecnly felt by me; tor
while IL gives me both pleasure and assurance to
know that | can always look To you for counsel
and assistance, and can always depend upon your
cooperation in the performance OF every duty,
thus ayailing myself in q measure OF the wisdom
and experience which do not profess TO possess,
still am not the less aware. By any means, that
il will apply to very many of you when | say
that our positions might be reversed with the
greatest degree Of propriety. trust, therefore,
In our official relations, that what otherwise
might appear arrogant, oficious, or presumptu-
Gus on my part, will not be attributed 10 any
msapprchension OF this fact.
A celebrated political economist has said that
The peace anil prosperity Of all nations are deter
mined by legislation. and what is applicable in
this respect To nation will in like measure apply
90 the smallest municipality, But theaImnSira-
ton of the affairs ut State, while of course OF vast
~ moro Importance IN every respect, SuIl GuVs
not carry with IL that degree Of personal rcspon-
sbility which attaches Ia such as have control Of
public affairs ON more limited scale; for unlike
those exercising higher aud more dignihel all
,ninis,ratye functions, We shall find ourselves
daily brought into immediate contact with those
", represent, our friends and neighbors, whose
diversified aud often conflicting interests il will
constantly be expected OF us To foster AMI hsr.
mopizc Hence, IL has frequently occurred under
like circumstances, even when official duty has
been illustrated By the very highest attainable CT
vic wisdom, that much dissatisfaction has been
unsyoilably created. But although this may be
counted apoa ut the outset, toa greater or less
degree, as OEs Of the rewarlsinseparable from the
honors which have been conferred upon Us, no
matter how wise or impartial our deeds, u be.
comes US All the wore To exercise the high rrero-
SNNes with which We have been vested, with the
Eteater pruienc- and more deliberate Judgment.
ans people having eOshlel their trusts and dele
SNea their powers To NJ, have thereby placed Us
I'M position to work U9t much for their good or
4. -, ar on. acts may be wise or foolish; hence IL
msl. n. asos' Importance that We should carly
saoslseNes acquainted With the nature and
iu"oGsnss OF the various positions We ,s,.,,n,,
70 .ne Gnu INA, VIC may fulfill our enrarem.n,aI,
sponps ano prSPer manner, ever oherishin, |
.n' SPIRIT OF cencliatlon and concession .o CO.,,
na TO harmony OF action and the best results '"-
4, City government Is not what many supno..
,s ee, merely great fiscal machine for rasinS,
AL "soars,ng public money. created by chance
.om. s,na,ng on continuously. driven by
..,..., unseen and unbeatable agent.
w" " De tolerated because il cannot be