Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-16
local ann State Nems.
CITY AFFAIRS.


naent Mayors Address -Elec. Ion OF Cty
Officers.
The members elect Of the Board Of Aldermen
and Common Council met in convention yesterday
at 10 o clock A. NJ, in the Common Council Room,
in conformity to the provisions Of the city charter
The ventiop was called to order by Mayor North
The roll Of the members elect was called by the
City Clerk. R-W. Black. Esq, and those members
elect who were present, and before Hon. j. W.
North, the retiring Mayor, took upon them
selves the oath of office necessary to qualify them
to enter upon the discharge Of their official duties
The conve ntion then dissolved.
The Common Council was organized by the cleo
ton of p. c. Dollivcr Of Ward 6, President,
and II. A. b. Chandler, Clerk.
In Board of Aldermen message was received
from the Common Council proposing JOINT con-
vention of the two branches, for the purpose Of
. lministering to the Mayor elect the necessary
oath to qualify him to enter upon the discharge of
his official Duties to hear any communication
which he might be pleased to make, and to elect
city officers. The City Clerk was charged with
message to the Common Council from the Board
Of Aldermen, concurrng with the former in their
proposition for the purposes indicated.
In CONVENTION.
The Mayor elect Hon. Daniel A. Cony, ap-
peared, to whom the 18th of Office was admins
tered by r. w. Black, Esq, City Clerk. Prayer
was then offered by Rev Mr.. Penney. The Mayor
then proceeded to deliver his
Inaugural Address.
Gentlemen Of the city Council; The management
tf the Municipal affairs of the city having been
committed to our care for the ensuing year,
whether wisely or not will be determined by
our conduct in its administration. Having as
sumed the responsibilities we are morally bound
to perform the duties of the office to which we are
elected the interests of the city and justice to our
selves require that We should discharge these
duties with the same fidelity that we would bring
to the management Of our private business. 1t is
matter of personal qualification to me to find
large experience in The administration Of city af-
fairs. shall have to rely in great measure up
on your good Judgment in devisng measures
for the public welfare.
FINANCE
The first subject to which call your attention
is the state of finances and what can be done to
improve their condition. Owing to the depres-
sion and general stagnation in business caused
by the Panic which occurred some eighteen
months ago. the effects Of which are now being
felt in nearly all the interior towns in New Eng
land, by depreciation in the value of manufac-
tured materials, . lessened demand for labor, and
reduced prices for farm products, it is plainly our
duty to curtai expenses in every possible man
in every department the most rigid &c )nomy.
BY the report of the Auditor the hablites OF
the city, March l, are as follows:
Temporary Loans, SS26sl 90
July 4, 1864. 26,5o000
City Improvement Bonds due 1887, POI 10000
Total City debt, ssl9.ssl 90
s 5000 OF the 1863 bonds fall due in July
The interest and principal of this debt must be
paid and the only way to reduce the item of ~
terest is to commence by paying up the city debt.
Cities like individuals, should be careful in incur
ring debts and prompt to meet their Obligations
when they fall due. There is due the State
Tax of 1874, It, APP 70, and the uncollected city
taxes amount to 20, ISL .3s which will be more than
sufficient to meet this claim. The Auditor report
will furnish you the detailed information IN re-
gard 20 OR finances
POLICE.
By the report of City Marshal Harrington i; sp
pears that the number of arrests for the year end
ing March 18th, 1885, have been 226, which were
disposed Of as follows:
Bound over, III
Discharged,
Convicted, Zoi
Total 226
i03 Of these arrests were for drunkenness, and
SO for liquor prosecutions. The expense of this
department for the past year including the salary
of the Marshal has been SO 503.64. Whether the
expenditures Of this department can be reduced
you to decide. Nearly three fourths of the labors
of the force caused by the illegal traffic in in
toxicatng liquors. So long as communities toler-
this evil. just long will the expense of the
Police department be . heavy burden to the tax
payers.
The unusual severity of the winter has necessa-
riy increased the expenditures of this department.
but however heavy this burden may be 1t is one
that it is duty to cheerfully bear and all our
citizens have cause to be thankful that this class
of poor unforunates are under the care OF such
efficient, kind hearted and humane people as our
worthy superinte ndent and his wife.
The receipts of this department have been as
follows
Received on Mayors warrants. Sc 2947
From other Towns 22o42
Individuals 2l00
Total receipts S6,54o59
Expenditures follows:
Paid city Treasurer amounts collect
ed of other towns and individ-
Support of paupers at Insane Asylum 1908 65
paupers in other towns 564S0
paupers outside of Aim house 2,01l "a
paupers at Almshouse nclud-
ing Supts salary Z'oo44o
Total $3.50 SO
The Superintendending School Commit
tee, report the number of scholars
April 1874 22i3
In the village district l,l4l
In Other % districts l,lO2
Total 2,243
Amount appropriated and distributed
pro rata Sl0,066.0l
Which was obtained as follows:
Amount appropriated city tax st, 25ooo
!. bank tax 1925
mill tax 2,223.66
Total $l0,066.0l
The report of this committee will be shortly laid
before you, from which you will be able to Learn
.he condition OF the schools.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer Morse reports this department
to be in a very efficient condition.
Number of alarms Of fire during the
year have been .
Total loss of property by fire S9u0O-00
less insurance Z,'oooo
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