Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-15
City Of HallOWell.

on Monday, and organized the City Council
for the curreat year. Prayer was offered by
Rev. a. r. Crane; DR.. J. Q, A. HAYES was
| elected City Clerk, and Capt. J. S. Snow,
Clerk Of the Common Council. The oa,hs Of
office were administered by Hon. S. X. Gil
man, after which the City Council listened to
MAYOR ATKINS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the City Council:-Agreeable
TO an ancient custom adopted by all law -abid-
ing people, we have been called together this
morning to take upon ourselves the oaths of
Office necessary to qualify US for the duties
devolving upon each one of us in the different
departments of our city government
BY the provisions of our city charter, the
administration of our municipal affairs are
placed in our hands. A faithful performance
of these duties on the part of each one of us
will require our diligent attention.
You are expected to attend all regular and
special meetings; also to serve on all COM
mittees when perhaps your own private bust
ness may demand your attention, but it is ex-
pected of you to lay aside all private business
far as possible when your services are
called for in the performance of your official
duties, and l hope to see every member attend
to these duties cheerfully.
l do not propose to mark out the path which
think we should follow, but leave that for Won
to act as you in your Judgment may deem for
the best interest Of the city.
In consequence of the delay in getting in
the reports of the committees in the different
Departments, it is impossible for me at this
time to present to you the details of the bust
ness for the past year; and / consider it
unnecessary for me to undertake it,
for the reports of all the committees
have been made and have been placed
in the hands of the finance committee for
their approval, and will soon be placed before
you for your examination, and l hope and
trust that they will meet with your approval
and Unsatisfactory to all our citizens.
| think that the future business prospects Of
our city look brighter than for long time.
| also think that if our city government will
use their utmost endeavors TO promote the
welfare and prosperity of our city, in few
years more we will rank among the first in the
State.
l will propose to you at this time that in
making your appropriations for the year upon
which we are commencing, you should en-
deavor to make them sufficient to meet all
necessary expenses, and after they are made,
TO use all due diligence and economy in
keeping our expenses within the appropria.
tons made.
In making up your committees and In elect
ing all subordinate officers trust you will
place competent and reliable men in all re-
sponsble positions, such men as you would
employ to transact your own private business,
and l think that by so doing our affairs can be
managed prudenty and with economy
There will naturally arise differences of
opinion on many questions which must neces-
sarily come before you, and in all such cases
| can see but one safe guide to follow, and
that is to examine every measure with view
to improve the best interests OF all our citi-
zens, and by so doing you will encourage our
business interests, as well as all public i'm
provements.
have, gentlemen, called your attention to
some of the duties which will fall upon you
the coming year, and have no doubt but
what they will receive due consideration and
careful attention when placed before you, and
hope that at the close Of the year we shall
be able to look over our doings and find that
by our labors our city has reaped an abundant
harvest.
In accepting this position at this time, feel
ing due sense of obligation to that All-wise
Ruler of the Universe for all good gifts,
shall consider it a great privilege if permit
ted, by endeavoring to be faithful in the dis
charge of my duties, to meet the approval of
my fellow citizens.
In conclusion, gentlemen, will say that
shall heartily unite with you in all business
tending to promote the prosperity of our
city; and | have no doubt but that by the
united efforts of all the members of this city
council the future growth and prosperity of
our city may derive benefits that will be per-
manont, and we have the assurance that we
have been true to our obligations.