The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-04-13
Inaugural Address of Mayor Young
of Ellsworth.

Gentlemen OF the Board Of Aldermen and Common
Council -
Seven years have passed since Ellsworth assumed
the form of City Government. 1t is a matter of
grave doubt whether condition has been bet
tered by the change. During all these seven years
both branches of the City Government have had
large Republican working majority and city
affairs have usually been administered upon strict
party principles, to say nothing of partsanship and
unparliamentarl rulings to hold the balance OF pow
er For the first time since the formation Of the
City Government the OPT osition have full control Of
the city. Relying on your sound sense and business
capacity trust the change will be of no disadva an
tage to our fellow citizens. The Ellsworth organ
styles this election dire political calamity: but
believe we shall be able 10 Justify the confidence in
our ability, so heartily expressed by our voters last
Monday.
The Revised Statutes of Maine require that the
municipal officers of any town or city shall on or
before the morning OF the annual meeting in each
year, make full report of their financial transac-
lions. Not having been able to obtain such re-
port understand be required by said Statutes,
offer such as have, which is as follows
The funded debt of our city amounts to $5t,S0O
fouting debt Of 25,193
Making our total debt s7o,993
There are, probably, other debts for which orders
have not been drawn, how much, am unable to
say TO Offset this debt find between fourteen and
fifteen thousand dollars OF uncolected taxes. What
our other assets amount to am unable to state at
this time; but will, soon as our city accounts
De audteu, make full statement ana lay II before
the citizens OF Ellsworth, and 1t shall be done at
early day.
DEPARTMENT EXPENSES.
1t has been the custom of my predecessors to take
up each department separately, and offer lengthy
suggestions and recommendations. These recon-
mendations have usually been very good, have
sounded well and helped TO make lengthy inau-
gural.
Gentlemen of the City Government, all propose
to offer at this time, these various subjects, is,
that believe it to be poor policy, while we have
hpn don't Oil 10 ptNrto
tons insufficient to the City Government credit
ably and economically. For the two past years,
know that the appropriations have not been sutii-
Gent TO meet our expenses, and consequently
debt, already heavy, has been largely increased /
believe this to be bad management, and while
control the affairs of this city say, 'let us pay as
we 60" and | am ready to meet YOU in Common
Council and take up each department. and with YOU
act thereon for the best interests of our city. Tn
erty, together with the bad condition of roads
and sidewalks, our taxes must necessarily be in
creased.
LAW AND ORDER.
believe in the faithful and impartial enforcement
Of the city ordinances and that protection citizens
and property should always be afforded, and pledge
my best efforts to enforce the laws and maintain
good order little more than two years ago the
sheriff of the county, the City Marshal and myself
impartially and faithfully enforced the liquor law.
We expected the cooperation of the clergy profes-
Of religion and professors of temperance but,
as the September election approached they thought
more of their party than they did Of temperance and
they had rather rum should run down our streets
than the law should be enforced by Democratic OIL
cias. The Sheriff enforcement act makes it mpera.
tive on the Sheriff to enforce the liquor law and pro
vides % per day and expenses for his services. The
present Sheriff being Republican has the sympathy
and cooperation of those referred to, and, God
knows, l would not be stumbling block in the
Sheriff way in the enforcement of law, | must
move cautiously lest drive this support from him
This liquor law is enforced throughout the State in
the interest of the Republican party. Wherever you
lind a Democratic nnholder or saloon keeper who
deals in the ardent" he is speedily converted to Re
pubcanism or "down comes his house"
1t is currently reported and honestly believed that
our County Attorneys mol pros and quash liquor in
dictments to increase the Republican vote. These
are hard savings, but nevertheless are true. The
Temperance League, Reform Club and st. Josephs
Total Abstinence Society have done Il noble work in
our city, and wish them God speed.
make these suggestions for your consideration
ana shall be happy TO co operate with YOU in all
measures which your good Judgment may approve
Tor the benefit and prosperity OF our city.
Gentlemen-ln conclusion, having been elected to
these responsible positions by large majority Of
the votes of our fellow citizens, lei us IT pay th,
confidence by careful attention to their interests
and prompt attendance regular meetings,
so at the end of the year shall have the satistc-
zion OF knowing that we have done duty honest.
ly and fearlessly; although we may not md "a bed
of roses"