Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-03-14
MAYORS Address.


Mayors Address.
Gentlemen OF the Board Of Aldermen:
We meet under the law passed last win
ter changing our City Charter and abolish
| ing one branch Of the City Council. Under
this change il will not be necessary for me
to advise you by extending my address
and particularizing all the wants OF our
City. l shall be with you in all your de-
liberatious. and render such aid and coun-
ell as my ability will allow, aud hope, with
your assistance, to administer City affairs
TO the satisfaction Of our fellow citizens.
The present Board of Aldermen has e1-
elusive jurisdiction in all matters relating
end OF the monthd proper care should be
will not sIGard the interests which has been
TO US. With careful manage
silent and proper economy, you may well
hope 10 check the wanton extIavagance of
past administrations. The continued in
crease OF taxation and also increase of in
debtedness, has alarmed our taxpayers to
such an extent, that it has been question
with some. whether the time was not fast
approaching when they would be Obliged
to find a home In some less burdened
locality. With superior facilities for manu-
featuring in all its various branches. We
mar hope for better times, and while the
country Ia laboring under the present
stagnation Of business. you should. by
rigid economy, strive TO allay al fears.
and restore confidence in the future.
While seeking TO relieve the burdens of
our people by a light tax, you should not
neglect TO appropriate such sums TO the
various funds necessary. TO prevent waste.
The Schools, Roads and Bridges, should
be well provided for. The Poor will need
YOUR attention, and careful and humane
Overseers appointed. ] would call your
special attention to the necessity Of pro-
yiding some way to absorb the floating
debt. which il appears is increasing rapid
! ly, and will embarrass the present Board
unless means are provided for its gradual
| liquidation. There is no excuse for ex-
travaglnce. and |, should be met with a
stern rebuke whenever attempted
In fixing the salaries OF the various
officers, would so change them as TO con-
! form to the wages paid by individuals for
a like service. In this way. and also by
dispensing with numerous officials a large
sum may be saved to the City. / am
aware that the public eye is upon us. ard
that We shall be held TO a strict account.
I ability for our acts. Your first duty
should be 10 mske careful scrutiny Of
the detts and liabilities OF orr City, and
place the results in q printed form before
the tax payers. We hope the results OF
such investigation will develop a more
favorable state of affairs than now ap-
pears. With prudence and economy, there
is no reason to doubt your ability to ad-
minister the affairs OF our City without in
creas.ng taxation, or suffering for want of
Sufficient appropriations in the various
departments.
You should seek TO draw capital from
sbroad by prudence, fidelity and economy,
and when the proper time shall arrive. we
may. by the unanimous voice of our peo-
pie, open our way to business and pros
perlty by providing better transportation
to the great business centres of our coun-
try.
Our forests abound 10 valuable timber
for shipbuilding purposes, and are far
from being stripped Of other species of
timber. Our young men are ready and
waiting for the renewal Of life aud activity
in forest, mill and shipyard. The time is
not far away when we may hope to see
some happy omen of more prosperous
times.
Maine as a whole abounds In mineral
wealth, aud Hancock County has her fair
proportion. Her harbOrs are abundant
and spacious, and her Island population
: far exceed that Of other counties alike
situated. They are well-to-do people,
and are fast increasing in wealth. Our
City is the natural chsunei through which
they do their business. asd while we
should foster and Encourage them, We
must not forget their interest is identical
with our own. Our City must improve
whenever business revives elsewhere. and
with q thrifty, busy people like our own
whenever that time arrives. they will b.
prepared to take advantage Of it. We are
not slone in misfortune; cross the ocean
and you find 1t there; all countries are
suffering like ourselves. The true theory
OF which It's. over production in maoufac
lures of every kind.
I will gladly cooperate with you in any
measure leading to the general good. BY
abolishing the Common Council you have
no check on hasty legislation. and must
carefully review your work before fina
, action is taken. In all your appropriation;
, great care should be taken to fix sun
sufficient for the purpose required. and nc
more. will render you eli the aid In my
, power in giving this changed state o.
affairs fair trial. and hope the work may
prove all that could be desired.
A former City Council. by q carefully
prepared report issued April 5th. 1876
makes the whole City Indebtedness, Marc!
18th, 1876, to be ee7 .sss.57. One year later
Mayor Young. in his address of March It'll
1877. after deducting s3.272.74 of unavail'
able assets, says, ''Immediately after thu
organization Of the Government las
Spring, Committss was appointed to ex
, anime the records and amounts Of the City
who reported the liabilities to be es0. $50.
9s and the asaiGtle assets. ei9, l62 90. leav
ing City debt OF Oh. 1916" The una
valuable assets referred to. II deducted
3 from the above would leave the sum o.
} es7 ,s5s 81, ~ reported BY the Commute o.
, the previous year. have not been able d
| learn that the outgoing Administration hal
! reported through their Finance Committee