Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-18
Organization of the New City Govern

The members elect of the Board OF Alder
men and Common Council met in Convention
yesterday forenoon at ten o'clock IN compli
ance with Section 10 of the City Charter
The convention was called to order by thu
CITY Clerk, and Alderman Atkins of Ward /
was chosen Chairman. The oath of office re
qured by Section of the Charter was adj
ministered by L. II. Titcomb, Esq, City
Clerk.
The convention then dissolved.
The Common Council elected Charles Z.
Nash, President, and Lewis Selling Clerk
The oath of Office was administered by the
City Clerk, L. II. Titcomb Esq.
The Board of Aldermen organized tempo
rary by electing Alderman Whitehouse OF
Ward 2, chairman.
On motion of Councilman Turner of Ward
La message was sent from the Common Coun.
Gil to the Board Of Aldermen, informing that
branch of the organization of the Common
Council, and proposing a joint convention.
The Board of Aldermen concurred and con-
vention was formed.
In CONVENTION.
"A was "fPotheSu w ehS
Mayor elect that the City Council had assem-
bled in convention, and was ready to admin
lister to him the oath necessary to qualify
him to enter upon the duties of his office, and
to listen to any communication he might be
pleased to make.
Thereupon the Mayor elect, Hon. James
W. North, came in, and before the retiring
Mayor, Hon. j. j. Eveleth, took upon him.
self the qualifying oath.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Penney.
The Mayor then read the following address:
MAYORS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of the City Council
In addressing you on this occasion, I am
reminded of the changes which have taken
place in our city since was last connected
with the city government, thirteen years ago.
At that time the struggle for national exis-
tence, which resulted most happily in the
preservation of the Union, was just commence
ing. In its progress it gave stimulus to the
patriotic endeavOr of our city, and has left its
mark upon our finances.
The paralyzing effect of the disastrous fire
which occurred during the period, has, by the
perseverance, industry, and enterprise of our
citizens, been overcome.
veloping our invaluable water power, in the
interest Of manufactures, has opened pros
pect for the future which is highly encour-
aging.
Hitherto the progress of our city in ma
terial advancement has been titful and slow;
periods of promising activity were followed
by depressing reactions, resulting in feeble
growth; now steady and constantly increasing
progress gives general confidence to our citi-
zens, and reasonable assurance of permanent
and largely increased growth. In view Of the
encouraging future which awaits our city, it
may be sound policy to early provide for the
constantly increasing wants of growing
community. by provident action to guard
against hastily formed and inconsiderate plans
which postponements and delays sometimes
bring with them. The liberal policy uniform
ly adopted by our city government in relation
to our city affairs has always met the just ap
prevail of our citizens, and We may feel assur-
ed that no change of policy, in this regard,
will be expected at our hands. All new
terprises, tending to develop the growth and
increase the prosperity of the city, should re-
ceive prompt and cheerful encouragement.
All right minded citizens must have seen
with the greatest pleasure the effective inAu-
ence that kindly sympathy and brotherly love
have worked in the temperance reform in our
city during the past year. No amount of au-
thoritative command could possibly have ac-
complished so much. Intemperance, ike
every social vice sprnging from the habits of
the people, must be eradicated by. winning
from or guarding against the formation of
those habits In the latter direction is the
noble effort of one of our citizens in impress
ing on the minds of the young such senti-
ments of temperance, purity and love as will
be safeguard against the formation of evil
habits. His labors to this end are worthy of
warm commentator and encouragement
In this capital of the extreme north eastern
State of the Union, where men are raised in
the pure bracing air Of rigorous climate,
under the influence ofchurchss and the whole
some training of our public schools and semi
naries of learning, purity ofpurpose and fidel
ity to duty is the rule governing men in
office; and we learn with astonishment the
extent of corruption which has crept into the
administration of municipal government in
some of our large cities, degrading to the age,
the country and more especially to the cities
which suffer it. The insidious attacks of in
terssted and designing men to promote their
own selfish ends, and every approach to IA
voritism in the administration of our munich
pal government, should be frowned upon and
persstently resisted.
The duty and responsibility of selecting
subordinate city officers rest with the city
council. This duty you are invited to dis
charge with due consideration, and to make
qualifications required to discharge the duty
of the various offices to the acceptance of our
citizens. Tried and faithful officers, even of
long standing, should be retained. The
Mayor is required to exercise general SUI
pervision over the conduct of subordinate
officers; should he neglect this plain duty, the
City Council should be more vigilant in exer-
cisng their supervision, and may enforce
their commands by the removal of unfathful
officers.
1t is very desirable that the amount appro-
priated at the commencement of the year, for
each department, should be sufficient to cover
the expenditures to be made, and that it
should be distinctly understood in those de-
partments in which the amounts can be def
nitely fixed and limited, that the sum will not
be increased by further appropriations during
the year. This will tend to bring the finances
under better control, and check any tendency
to improvident expenditure. as no money can
be drawn from the treasury unless appropria-
ted. the mower n exnend would fall with the