The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-27
MUNICIPAL FESTIVITIES.
Mayor Butler Gives the City Government
supper.

supper.
Last evening about sixty gentlemen, com
prising the members of the city government
the officials thereof and few invited guests
gathered at the Mayors office in answer to in
vitations extended. 1t was given out that q
special meeting was to be held and conse'
quently all were on hand prompt. His Honor
the Mayor, received all cordially, and at about
o'clock invited them to Inspect the table pre-.
pared for their entertainment in Reception
Hall. The response was as hearty as the inyi
tatiop, and in the twinkling Of an eye the large
table running the length of the hall was entire.
ly surrounded. The Mayor occupied the head,
and on his right was George Walker, ESQ the
Democratic candidate for the Mayorality, and
Alderman Brunei, Chairman of the Board. On
the left were Ex-Mayor Richardson, and Presi.
dent Little of the Council. Ia few words the
Mayor invited the company to attend to the
business before them. A vote was taken aud
the motion was unanimously carried.
The repast was prepared by Mr.. Lucy, and
was very satisfactory After full justice had
been done to it the Mayor very aptly called up.
on Mr.. Walker as the man who may be the
next Mayor, and it was very appropriate that
he should know how things are done in the
city government.
Mr.. Walker said 10 response that he had lis
tened with much interest to see how things
were done, and had baeu much pleased. All
act as though they had much experience, and
that the labors applsxred pleasant to them.
After thanking the chairman for the very
pleasant way 10 which he had been introduced
and the handsome way he had been entertain
ed, he resumed his seat.
The Mayor next introduced Ex-Mayor
Richardson as one who had been through all
these pleasantries. Mr. Richardson thanked
the Mayor for the invitation to be present, and
congratulated him upon his successful admins
tration of the affairs of the city.
Alderman Brunei was next called upon, but
declined to make speech.
President Little of the Council, thought this
was the most entertaining meeting of the City
Government he had ever attended. He thought
that be could enjoy such gathering even ii be,
like the city, did not smoke.
Alderman Cunningham was then introduced
as the man whom the Mayor had made rich
Mr.. Cunningham regretted the absence of the
talking member of the minority and did not
feel able to fill his place. Without explaining
how the Mayor had made him rich the past
year he took his seat.
Alderman Walker was the next speaker.
Although his remarks were brief, they were to
the point and were well received.
At this point the City Messenger was called
for and he responded with the song of 'Nancy
Lee," while Kotzschmar played the accom-
paniment.
Mr.. fash was called upon to speak for the
schools. He thought that the city should pro-
vide literally for the physical health and the
mental advancement of the children.
The Mayor next called for some one to tell
the difference between Little and Small. An
did not attemptto answer the question, but
repeated a remark that he heard the City
Engineer make as he sat down, as follows:
snow we will fill the city fats He thought
it was proper that Mr.. Walker should be pres
ent for the city might be unfortunate enough
to elect him Mayor, and it was we'll that he
should know what would be expected of him
when he retired from Office.
City Engineer Goodwin responded briefly,
thanking the officers for their courtesy to him
the past year. City Solicitor Cleaves, City
Physician Brooks, Alderman Haseltine and
Councilmen Haskell and Chapman followed in
the same strain. After a few humorous re-
marks from the City Clerk, Messrs. Shaw and
Thurston furnished more fine music
The Mayor now arose and made a few re-
marks. he spoke of the unsatisfactory con-
dition of the city finances year ago, and SAID
he had done his utmost to Improve them and
he thought that all concerned in the aft airs of
the city had reason to congratulate themselves
upon the result as shown to-day. All current
expenses and all accrued liabilities had bsen
paid up and $4,000 put into the sinking fund.
The appropriations had all held cut well and
all bills would be settled this week. He said
that he had been obliged to take extreme
measures to bring about these results, but all
had been done in the interest of the city. If
some such action had not been taken by some
one, the affairs would have now been in much
worse condition. 1t required some one from
outside to see the true condition of things.
Thanking the gentlemen of the several depart
ments for their aid extended to him, he took
his seat.
Alderman Small moved that o vote of thanks
be taken by rising to the Mayor, not only for
the fair and impartial manner in which he had
presided over the affairs of the city, but as
well for the bountiful repast prepared. He is
the Moses who has lead US out of our financial
wilderness. The vote was given with loud
cheers. The meeting closed with the Song
"But Thousand Year."
The affair was very pleasant one to all
present, and 10 one would have guessed that
the two gentlemen seated at the head of the
table were rival candidates for the highest
Office in the gift of the city. As one of the
speakers remarked, it was no partisan affair,
but all mingled together in the utmost good
feeling. The supper was arranged to take
place some weeks ago, directly after the
Mayors letter of declination was published,
but was deferred.