Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-14
7nallomeIl Z0ral Nems.

a. NJ for the purpose of organization, and to lis
ten to the address of Mayor Clarke. in Board of
Aldermen the city Clelk called to order, and Geo.
S. Fuller was chosen chairman. The Common
Council was called to order by the Clerk, and
message was sent to the Board Of Aldermen, pro-
posing joint convention for the administration
Of qualifying oa,hs TO the Mayor and members of
the City Council, and also for the purpose of lis
tening to the Mayors address. On the assembling
of the convention, prayer was offered by Rev. Ii.
V. Emmons after which Judge Knight of the Mu-
nicpal court administered the qualifying oaths of
office to the Mayor, Aldermen and Councimen
present. The Mayor then delivered his annual
Address which we copy as follows:
Gentlemen Of the CITY Council:
We have assembled to-day for the purpose Of
taking the oath of Office and entering upon the
duties to which we have been called by our fellow
citizens.
As the welfare and prosperity Of our city de-
pend much upon the wisdom and fidelity with
which we exercise the trust committed to US, it is
fitting that in commencing our official duties we
should acknowledge our dependence on Him who
as equally controls the affairs of communities
ndv duss, and seek for that guidance and sup
port which shall carry us successfully through all
the duties thus imposed upon us.
The report of the Finance Committee will soon
be laid before you. / think its showing will be
satisfactory. The expenditures for the year have
exceeded the appropriations.
Notwithstanding the depressed condition Of
business, the expenditure for the support of the
poor has been within the appropriation. The past
year there has been more than the usual number
supported at the city farA and less have received
help off the farm than In years past. The affairs
OF this department think have been well managed
and the poor properly cared for. trust that your
appropriation for the ensuing year will be sufi-
cient to continue the same good care Of the un-
fortunate poor
Our public schools have been conducted in
satisfactory manner the past year. and continue
TO maintain their former good reputation. | trust
they will receive liberal appropriation III order
that they may continue to maintain their present
standing and usefulness. The demand for a COM
modious and central building that will take the
place of our old and fast decayng houses still
lists, and trust will receive your carly attention
There has been erected the PAST year school
building to take the place of the old Vaughn school
house, at a cost of Sl,7S0.45. City notes have
been given to procure the necessary funds to dis
fray the expense.
The calls upon our fire department during the
past year have been more than usual; yet they
have responded with promptness and have done
noble service, and still maintain their former
good reputation for duty at a fire. l think there
could be some Improvement in discipline. That
the department may loose nothing of its former
good name, trust that each member may feel
that it becomes him TO look well to their reputa-
ton when on duty at a fire, or on any other occa-
sion when they appear as a company.
! would recommend that there be purchased FIVE
hundred feet Of new hose for the department the
present year. Our engines need painting and
other repairs. ! should like to see some improve
ment made in the appearance of the hose tower
connected with the engine houses. There has
been constructed the past year a reservoir Of good
size at the south end OF Warren street, with
view to conveying the water down Academy street
by the use Of pipe and hydrants The connecting
pipe and gate are already in. l trust it may be
completed the present year.
There been marked
highways the past year and think they will COM
pare favorably with those Of other communities.
The expenditure has exceeded the appropriation
somewhat. think that in making appropriation
for this department it should be large enough to
cover the cost of hauling gravel from the Chelsea
lot in winter, to use on the streets in summer,
that seems to have become part of the highway
expense. You may expect calls for new sidewalks
and cid ones to be repaired. Our sidewalks have
become no small item OF our highway expense.
The field north of the cemetery, and extending
to the Augusta line containing about seventeen
acres, has been purchased at cost Of So 400. to
be used for burial purposes as it may be waited.
PAYNE mt has been made from funds received from
bolds issued by the city. There has also been paid
for the Hopkins lot $500, as previously agreed
upon.
In selecting those that are to manage our Po-
lice Department, care should be exercised to
choose ILJse IN whom the community have conf
dence and as incompetence is the main cause of
all our crimes, they should be men of temperate
habits and that aye in favor Of enforcing the law
against the sale of Intoxicating drinks. l think
that the law that we now have for the suppression
of the sale of intoxicating drinks should be
rgidly enforced.
| Conidng in your good judgment to make aP-
preparations, and in selecting those to whom
are to be entrusted the various branches Of ex-
pendture, trust the year on which we enter
ing may be one of returning prosperity to our
community and to each of our fellow citizens.
JOHN w. CLARKE.
IIallowell, March y, 1871.
The convention then separated and the Common
Council proceeded to perfect its organization by
choosing a. ID. Niles, councilman from Ward
Three, President, and John S. Snow, Secretary.
Another convention was then held for the purpose
of electing City Clerk, and the former incumbent,
| Albert H. Davis, was UNANIMOUSLY chosen. With
out transacting any other business of Importance,
the Council adjourned to meet in the evening at
o'clock for the purpose of choosing subordinate
officers for the current municipal year.
Appointments for union religious prayer and
conference meetings in this city were made last
Sabbath for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday even.
ings, at the Methodist vestry. These meetings
evince growing interest. and many are taking
part in the exercises who have heretofore mani
tested but little solictude for their spiritual well
fare. The noon meetings are fully attended and
specially interesting to all. Attendance also at all
our churches on Sabbath last was greatly in ex-
cess of the usual numbers, demonstrating an in
terest truly encouraging.
Owners of dogs are reminded that the law re E
quirng license, collar, &C., is now in full force,
and puppies unproyided with the requisite protec-
ton, in danger of utter snnihilaton. The
number could be greatly reduced without detr-
ment to owners or the public generally. The
amendments to the liquor law also are now in
force, and it is to be hoped the traffic in all pro-
hibited stimulants will cease throughout all our
borders-and likewise in the centres Of trade,
where temptations more likely to abound.
| At the town meeting in Chelsea on Monday,
the following officers were chosen: Moderator,
Ben Tenney; Mr.. Tenney also chosen Town
Clerk. Messrs. William +. Searles, j. b. Packard
and William llankerson were chosen Selectmen,
Assessors and Overseers of the Poor; Treasurer,
William Hsnkerson; Supervisor of Schools,
Stephen Cobb. There was no political contest,
and the officers were chosen with good degree
of unanimty The financial condition Of the
town is extremely favorable, and affairs are man
aged with economy and faithfulness.
| An adjourned meeting of the new City Council,
was held at the city rooms Monday evening,
for the purpose of electing officers of the various
department s for the current municipal year. In
convention of both branches the following officers
were chosen:
James Ii. Leigh. Treas. and Collector; F. II.
Jackson, City Solicitor; A. Wall, {. L. Parlin,
Orlando Curner, Assessors; John Graves, A. ID.
Niles, John III. Lowell, Overseers of the Poor b.