The Portland daily press., 1879-03-11

space and liberty to all the fine powers of
man, and lifting him up to his own place in
the order of creation" In connection with
the school committee, you will see that our
educational system is carried forward.
DRAINS AND SEWERS.
This important branch of our sanitary
regulations should be looked after with care.
| To some extent the life and health of our
citizens depend upon the efficiency of this
department of the public service. Exhala-
ton from stagnant drainage, and the collec-
ton of offal are so insidious that their pres
once can hardly be detected, or their origin
traced till they appear in some epidemic or
contagion.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..
The promptness with which fires have been
| extinguished for some years past and our
small losses from this source, are evidence
that this branch of the public service is well
managed.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
suppose you will make ample appropria-
ton for our accruing interest. The maturing
debt of $SS,50O is provided for by the sinking
fund.- Our public credit must be maintained
at all hazards, every obligation fulfilled, eve-
ry cent paid in letter and spirit. Let no one
entertain the possibility of failure in this re-
spect. The heather lawgiver ordered expunged
| from the record the enactment for the punish
ment of fratricide because the existence of the
law presupposed that the crime might be COM
mitted. We should be as sensitive of the
public credit. Those public corporations in
distant States that have repudiated their debts
we point to as the very plague-spot on earth.
| Let not, then, the escutcheon of our cherished
| city be blotched with any such word as repu-
| diation. 1t will be seen by the financial state
ment made in an earlier part of this address
that we have reduced our debt the past year
$15l, $50; our interest has been paid Jour sink
ing fund kept up, our current expenses met
out of our current receipts from the taxation
and income of property owned by the city.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
| would renew the recommendation of my
predecessor, that some steps be taken to de-
velope and utilize the real estate be-
| longing to the city. 1t yields no rev.
enue by way of taxation and but very
little rent beyond the expense of
taking care of it. The city should exercise
the same care in the management of its prop
erty, that sagacious and thrifty individuals
do. 1t is quite evident that the day is not
very remote when this question can be post
poned no longer. invite your attention to
It.
THE POLICE,
the right arm of the executive, the peace
and order of the city depend much upon the
efficiency of this force. am not aware that
have anything special to communicate on
this subject.
THE AIMS HOUSE,
under the excellent superintendent of Mr..
Joel Merrill, and his wife as matron, I wish
to notice with favor. The poor, class of
people by an irrevocable doom to be with us
always, are here made as comfortable as their
condition in life will admit. Discipline and
good order prevail among the inmates.
Apartments are neat, and well ventilated.
The prudential matters of this institution en-
trusted to others than the superintendent
and matron, it may be well for you to look
to. The labor of the one hundred and sixty
seven poor, such as are able to work, should
be utilized. They are infinitely better off at
work, than in idleness, to say nothing of the
benefits to the city from their labor. Upon
the streets and sidewalks their labor can be
made useful provided there is harmony and
concert of action between the overseers of the
poor and the street commissioner. Such
method too, of supplying this institution
with provisions and fuel and other necessa-
ries should be adopted as will yield the
greatest amount of supplies for the least
economy, other things being equal.
CONCLUSION.
must urge upon you in conclusion, that
in making your estimates and appropria-
tons for the coming year, you have in view
the most rigid economy, and then see that
your expenditures fall within your appro-
priations. Let there be no idlers or dead
heads in the public service-men who draw
their pay from the public treasury, but render
the public no adequate service. Here econo-
my can assert itself as well as by
direct saving of money. He who takes
money for which he gives no ade-
quate consideration, has no claim to be called
a man of integrity, and he impoverishes those
with whom he deals. Industry, economy,
and integrity, then, are the necessary terms of
thrift, and in the observance and practice of
fall into want or dishonor.
After the proceedings in joint convention, the
boards went into separate session.
NBoARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.
The Aldermen proceeded to the election of
permanent chairman, and W. T. Small was I'm.
animously elected.
Hanson S. Clay was elected Gas Agent.
A message was sent to the Council announce
ing the permanent organization.
Ordered That the rules and orders of the last
Board of Mayor and Aldermen be adopted by
this board until otherwise ordered.
That the approval in writing of majority of
the members Of any and all joint committees
shall be necessary upon all bills referred to
such committees, before the same shall be paid
or considered Valid
That all unfinished business of the last City
Council, which was referred to this City Coun-
Gil, be referred at once to the appropriate COM
mittees when appointed.
That committee Of two be appointed on
the part of this board, with such as the Com
mon Council may join to revise and prepare
the Municipal Register, together with the
rules and orders CT each board and contract for
the printing of the annual report. Aldermen
Andrews and Small were appointed for this
duty.
That 300 copies of the Mayors address be
printed for distribution. Aldermen Andrews
and Small appointed,
Adjourned till 7.3O p. m.
IN BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL
The Common Council first proceeded to the
election of President. Messrs. Chaplin Of z,
Hall of 5, and Coye of 2 weIs appointed to
count votes.
Necessary for choice.. Ill
G. j. Chapman had ...........................2
w. M MATHS nau. L
and Mr.. Chapman was elected and thanked
the Council for the honor conferred and spoke
briefly as follows:
Gentlemen of the Common Counci,-I re-
turn to you my grateful Acknowledgements
| for the honor you have bestowed upon me by
my re- election as president of the common
council. I accept the position, relying upon
your assistance and co operation in all the
efforts that may make to properly discharge
| its duties. The presiding officer of any de-
servant and mouthpiece of that body,
with the obligation resting upon him, at all
times to recognize and declare its will and
voice. But it is possible for the office to be
perverted by its possessor and become the
means of obstructing and defeating the very
will which ought to be obeyed. 1 pledge you
my honest purpose to serve you faithfully