Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-21

peace, sufficient force, at whatever cost, must
be maintained TO arrest and restrain the un.
fortunate victims of the traffic. If the ex-
penses of this department can be safely
reduced, let it be done by all means, but not
at the hazard of the peace and security of our
citizens. -
The great burden on the industry and cap
ital Of the city is taxation. large debt has
been contracted In former years, the payment
of which cannot be evaded without dishonor,
even if it could be done legally. The re-
quired sums must also be raised to pay the
State, county and school taxes. These claims
are imperative and must be provided for,
whoever may have charge of the city affairs !;
but am not without hope, that on careful
revision of the expenses Of the several de-
partments of the city government, retrench-
ment may be effected without impairing their
efficiency. Allow me to say, the strictest
economy consistent with the public welfare is
demanded of us by the taxpayers, and as
faithful trustees of their money 1t is our duty
to comply with this reasonable demand.
! have called your attention to most of the
! important subjects that come within our juris-
diction The reports from the various de-
partments when received, will give to you as
well as myself more accurate knowledge Of
the state of our affairs than we now have, and
enable us to act Understandings.
My predecessors, Messrs. Patterson, Will
liams and Titcomb, will please accept my
thanks for valuable information and sugges-
tons, of which have availed myself on this
/ occasion.
HISTORY OF AUGUSTA.
/ am happy to acknowledge the service,
rendered the city by Hon. James W. North,
by his recent publication Of an illustrated his
tory of Augusta. 1t is a work of great re-
search, giving a continuous history from the
year 1923, when the powerful tribe of Canabas
Indians occupied the land, under the name Of
Cushnoc, down to the fall Of 1870, with gen.
ealogical !. register of the early settlers, and
many biographical sketches of the living and
the dead. 1t is written in clear, vigorous
and attractive style, making neatly printed
book Of nearly one thousand pages. 1t con-
tains a mass of valuable information, to be
found no where else but in detached records
and manuscripts, or in the failing memories of
a few aged people. 1t will be an honorable
memorial Of the author long after he shall
have ceased to participate in the later scenes
and events he has described.
Orr MATERIAL INTERESTS.
The contrast in the condition and prospects
of our city one year ago, and at the prese time
gives abundant cause of congratulation,
thanksfulness and hope. Then we were suf-
| fering from the unprecedented freshet of the
February preceding, property of great value
was in some cases destroyed, and in others
so materially damaged as to to excite fears,
that it would be abandoned, and general
feeling of dependency prevailed among our
enterprising men, in regard to our future pros
perity. Now the scene has changed. The
kennebec bridge, at one time almost a wreck,
has been so Thoroughly repaired as to be as
strong and safe as ever. In place of the
wooden and decaying railroad bridge, swept
| off by the food, now stands bridge of iron
go feet long, a model of strength and beauty,
and lasting monument of the genius of its
inventor, and of the energy and forecast of its
owners. The reconstruction of the kennebec
Dam has been completed with unexampled
rapidly. Under the direction of its chief en-
gineer, Col Dewitt, it has been so greatly en-
larged. strengthened and in every way i'm
proved, that for capacity, stability and con-
venience it is probably not. exceeded by any
similar power in the country.
The actual expenditure by the Messrs.
Sprague on their property in this city, excu-
sive of, and since their purchase, up to the
| first of the present month, amounts TO S523,-
| $4,000. OF this, more than 5000 600. 90 were
disbursed in the summer and fall of 1870. in
rebuilding the dam, erecting a saw mill and
|
costly machinery and in laying the foundation
of new cotton mill. To this statement may
now be added the projected outlay already be-
gun of over 500, 600. 90 more during the pres
ent year. These facts give ample assurance
OF the intentions of this eminent firm and that
the reasonable expectations of our citizens
in that respect will be fully realized.
| Other new and important manufacturing es-
| adjustments, run by steam power are III full
l 81 A. g 9TH Ia
contemplated.
EDuCArIoNAK. &c.
| We may also refer with satisfaction TO the
| educational advantages now enjoyed in this
city. In addition to our public schools, some
of them Of the highest character-other sem
inares are successfully conducted among us,
one in particular, designed for the higher
branches of female culture, which has been
| largely endowed through the liberaity of some
of our own citizens. Ample provision has
also been made by public and private munifi-
cence for those, who from age, infrmity or
misfortune, are in need of care and protection.
| CONCLUSION.
| ! have adverted briefly to some of the
agencies that, as believe, are about to give a
new impulse to the growth and prosperity of
our city, which / feel confident, but for
some unexpected calamity, will rapidly in
crease in wealth and population.
Let US then be thankful to the Giver of all
good for the great blessings Of the past year,
and show the sincerity of our gratitude not in
professions only, but in right action. Let us
within legal and just limits do what we can to
promote the comfort, security and happiness
of our fellow citizens and encourage them in
every lawful occupation. and enterprise; and
when our brief term of office is ended, and
others are chosen to our places, may we, each
and all, be able to retire from these seats with
the consciousness that our duty has been hon
estly discharged.
| j. j. EyELETH.
The following city officers were elected in
| convention:
City Clerk, Lewis II. Titcomb
| Treasurer and Collector, Thomas Little
City Marshal, Z. l.. Harrington.
City Solicitor, W. =. Whitehousle
City Physician, w. S. Hill.
City Auditor, S. W. Lane.
| Health Commissioners, F. l.. Harrington, j.