The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-08

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MEMORIAL DAY APPROPRIATION.
The Mayor read the following veto message:
10 the Honorable City Councit AT the last
stated meeting of the City Council held on the
| third ultino, an order was passed by both
branches directing the payment of the sum of
| $500 to the Bosworth Post No. 2, of the Grand
Army of the Republic, towards defrayiDg the
expense of Celebrating, as the order reads,
Memorial Day. This is the first appropriation
asked for this year for the donation of money
| by the city, in distinction from appropriations
| to pay the expenses of the several departments,
such as Streets schools and the like, and is to be
followed by similar requests for various objects.
With the taxing capacity of the city fully
reached, and yet the necessity existing Of in
cludiHg $3.50 coo of railroad interest in the tax
levy of this year for the first time it is very evil
dentthat there must decided TetreDchment IN all
direct ions in order to keep Gown our taxes
and there seems no reasons why this class of
appropriations for donation of money should
not bear at least its full share of retrenchment
The first contribution of the city towards the
expenses of Memorial Day was $172 in 1870,
and from that time the amount has increased,
so that for several past it has been $500 each
year, and doubtless the expenses of the associa-
ton for the occasion have increased correspond
ngly Orators from abroad have been engaged at
no lnconslderable sums for their services and
travelling expenses. The tendency has been to
convert the day into a gaia-day with attendant
display and pageantry, rather than to observe
NAL as some, at least, would think more befit-
ting the occasion. Under these circumstances
1 thought. and still think, it not unreasonable
that this appropriation should be
made less than last year. But fully
recognizing the appropriateness, by
suitable memorial services, to honor and
cherish with all tenderness, the memories of
the patriotic dead, and hand down to after |
generations the remembrance of their virtues !
and sacrifices, [ was exceedingly unwilling to |
VI M upf
of the amount thereof, and it occurred to me |
that the association, the corner stone of whose |
organization is patriotism, on representa- |
ton OF the. state of the city's finances, |
taxes, would esteem it a privilege to second |
those efforts and would be entirely willing to get |
along with smaller sum Athan that asked for. |
Accordingly sent for the Trustees of the as
of applying for the appropriation, and in a
pleasant interview laid the matter before them |
and they readily consented to reduction of % |
per cent. in the appropriation, making it $500 |
instead of $40O. supposed that the whole af-
fair was arranged satisfactorily till L received |
on the 9Th of the present month, |
four weeks afterwards, from the Trus
tees, communication to the effect, |
that whilej they had made the arrangement |
with me inlgood faith, the association had, by |
formal vote, repudiated it, on the ground that |
1t had been entered into by the trustees without |
authority.
This action on the part of the association |
can be regarded IN no other light than virtually
instead of asking for the appropriation, de- |
manding it as matter of right, and debating |
its amount; relying upon their numbers and |
influence with the City Council to carry the |
measure through, over the objections of the /
Mayor. While most ready and willing to APP
prove of an appropriation of a moderate and |
suitable amount and all that the city can af |
ford to pay in its present situation, tor memo
rial services, by such action 1 am placed in |
the position, although the amount involved is |
small, as matter of priuciple and bearing as |
a precedent on other donations. and will add, |
from self-respect of being compelledxto return, |
as l now do, said order to this Honorable |
Branch from which it originated without my |
approval
10 conclusion, in reference to this appropria-
ton. and others of like character yet to be |
asked for, wish to state for the information |
Of my fellow citizens and Taxpayers, that l |
find the way plain and open unless something |
unforeseen occurs to keep down our taxes at |
their present rate $3.50 per $10O) with the |
$3.50, 600 included in the levy. If their amount |
is raised one dollar above that rate, the res |
possibility must rest on other shoulders than |
mine. M. M. BUTLER, Mayor.
Alderman Cunningham regretted that veto |
was necessary and thought the matter ought to
be settled in another manner. Alderman |
Cushman expressed his disfavor of the veto
as did Small, and the appropriation was passed |
4
over the veto, six to one, Alderman Cunning
ham alone opposing it, In the lower board |
the appropriation was passed over the veto, 10 |
to 4, Councimen Latham, Ridlon. Haskell and |
w. Fl. Sargent voting nay.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Councilman Kno wilton asked to correct his |
vote whereby be voted in favor of concurring
with the upper board fixing the salaries of su-
perintendent and truant officer. The vote be-
fore stood to 8, and by the changing of his
vote it was to9. After long discussion it
was voted to concur.
A petition was presented asking that the by
drants be removed from the streets to the side
walks. 1t was referred.
A petition was presented and referred for the
re-valuation Ct the real estate of the city the
present year.
The following order was passed.
That the Committee on Judicial Proceedings
and Claims make enquiry into the right of the
city to the money received by deputy of the
Sheriff for Intoxicating liquor and vessels con-
tanning the same, which we're intended for I'M
lawful sale in the state, or are forfeit to the
city of Portland, and report to the City Ceun-
Gil.
Other papers were passed in concurrence.