Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-12

of our new city government met in the city
rooms at 10 o'clock \. NJ, for the purpose of
organization. and to listen to the annual adj
dress of the Mayor. After the usual pre-
lminares in each branch. Joint convention
was held in the common Council room, where
PRAYER was offered by Rev. e. A. White, at-
ter which the oath of office administered
to the Mayor, Aldermen and COuncilmcn by
Judge Knight, TO qualify them to enter upon
the discharge of their several duties. The
mayor then read his address, which was lis
tened to with marked attention by all present.
We copy the able and interesting document
as follows
MAYORS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen OF The city Councd
In entering upon the duties of Mavor for another
wear take this opportunity of thanking the citizens
of lIalowe for this mark fther and respect
fully appreciate the honor bestowed upon me, aud
sincerely trust that in my official capacity, act of
mine shall in any way destroy the confidence which
has been placed in me.
II gives me great pleasure To see So many in the
city council, who have heretofore been engaged in
managing the business affairs ef the city. and gen
tlenen all realize the Importance and respon
sibiity of positions and in acting for the best in
tercsts of the city, may use the same good judg
ment that we would IN transacting any business of
private nature.
As we meet here at the beginning of another mu-
ucila year let Us not be ummindul of our duties 10
that supreme Being, who has watched er our good
city, by night rs well rs BY day. and has kept Us As
in the hollow of his hand, through the past wear.
from any serious calamity by hrr or flood, and may
We be guIdeda directed by Him, in all our iutsre
actions.
During the past few months our citizens have had
brought 10 their minds through the public prints and
other ways the fact that there has been feeling OF
distrust in the community against tn" management
of city Affairs or that there was va, not 30 much
economy used there should be in the eNpendi-
ture of the peoples money, and that IA owa form of
government would be much better for US in many
ways. The matter was brought before the voters
v, IT 4
back step, and acknowledge, that after twentv-
seven wears experience ~ city We we're to syc II
up as failure, or to preserve our existence, asd
maintain our standing NJ one Of the sister cities of the
kennebec. The election was held on the twenty
seventh anniversary of the acccptanc, Of the city
charter, and the people by their votes, decided by
majority greater than the whole number of votes
at the election twenty wears ago; that
have faith in the present form of government, and
that the same economy that can save in town. can
ina city. genilenenyou have been sent here
by the voters of the city, To that there is no
tragancc in any department and TO correct all and
every abuse that may exist. And in making up your
appropriations for the present wear YOU must ad.
here TO that policy of retrenchment which if carried
out successfully would bring prosperity snd plenty.
We must exercise self denial, but not TO such AN
tent as to be penurous. our schools, highways,
Fire Department. &c, are matters of necessity and
must be- provided tor, and if the appropriations
reduced or not, the officers of the city must strive to
get full equivalent for every dollar spent, remcm-
bering that II il not much the amount. the
ncr of spending, that needs looking after.
will briefly call your attention TO some of the
matters upon which you will be called 10 act and
consider The first ofthese, which is of Importance
to the thoughtful citizen, Is the
FINANCES OF THE CITY,
and am happy toreport them In fiouri hing condi
ton, and that indebtedness Is steadily decreasing.
From AN examination of the Treasarers account.
find our liabilities are s!2J62 ST
RESOURCES.
Uncollecied taxes in hands of J. II. Leigh, LOO 10
Cash III hands of }. II. Leigh Treasurer, 1868. Is
Overseers of poor, Cd -
Stock on hand in liquor agency, 36s =
57s2 80
Less further attachments estimated at 80 M
5532 81
Balance against the city, ld,s30.l4
Balance against the city Mar. /, IS, 1880 Oh
- - Mar. !, ~. lj,s.}0 II
Showing decrease of bal since last report, 3,l4a 80
having paid all the expenses of the year and
all liabilities AS they became dine.
SUPPORT OF Poor.
The amt appropriated the last was, 800 90
BY consulting the report of the overseers
there was in their hands Mt the begin.
Received from produce sold and other sources 4s5 90
Making total of ol.O 90
They have expended for poor on the farm, So 90
Superintendent salary, 30. 90
For poor of the farm. 2G6 90
Hospital bills, ,I35 %
For other bills, 354 90
Making, s2lH 90
Leaving balance unexp'd of the~ppropria.
ton, 500 -
in their hands. The number of unemployed the past
winter has been more than usual with The fail.
ure of the usual ice business and the general depres
sion in other branches of industry, has had y ten
dency increase perhaps, the call for aid from per
sons who heretofore have been able to provide for
themselses think the overseers have been faith
full In answering all calls made upon them. aud have
given them their personal attention when possible
and have exercised good Judgment and discretion in
all relief rendered.
At the beginning of the year u change was made in
the Superintendent of the aims house. That nstitu-
ton has been in care of Mr.. and Mrs Hamilton who
have attended to their duties in creditable
The domestic affairs have been managed with neat
ness and economy, and the inmates have been kindly
cared for. The city is to be congratulated in
ing the services of the present Superintendent and
his estimable wife. They entitled to great credit
Tor the interest they nave manifested Tor the unioru
nate ones who have been pacedin their care. From
the report of the committee who recently visited the
farm to apprase the produce &c, should Judge the
premises to be In good condition. Among other pro-
duce there was raised the past season so tons hay.
10 bushels potatoes, 40 bushels apples 17j busheis
oats and barley, quite an amount OF corn beans Sc
also 200 pounds pork and 800 pounds beef TO carry
on the farm in "A successful manner, requires the
constant attention of the Superintendent which In
addition to the care of the inmates Of the hoase,
makes the position one of great responsibility. As
the poor ON the farm mostly aged and infrm.
they are not to be depended upon for labor 10 any
great extent, which necesstaes the hiring help dur
ing the busy season. would recommend that the
be instructed to that the supply ofarm
ing tools be kept up To the proper standard of eihcien
cy. For II poor moving machine that is continually
ont Of order when wanted for use j. not true econo-
my, or TO be obliged to borrow tools from ones
neighbors when afford them ourselves is
rather Inconsistent
The number of poor maintained at the farm the
past year. was II. The number sixty years of
age o. the oldest is 81 the Youngest Is average age
about g.. There have been deaths and the general
health of the inmates has been good. | think it
would and greatly to the comfort and yenience of
the family of the Superintendent to have some slight
changes and alterations made In some of the rooms,
which can be attended to in proper time. In making
your estimates for this department cannot tell nh
accuracy what may be needed, some unforeseen cir
cumstances may Increase the calls for aid and in the
appointment of overseers should be exercised
in selecting men of good judgment and discretion,
those who can sympathize with the unfortunate and
still deal justly by all, and for the best interests
the city.
HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS.
The report of the Street Commits sioner show :
that he has expended In this department the sum of
S26lf.6i, the appropriation being 100000. The
streets in the city proper in good condition. and
can bemaintained so with comparatively little ex.
pcnsc. The grade of Water street near the saw
mill was raised and the street thoroughly graveetl,
making great improvement, which the travelling
public have duly appreciated The severe rains
during the fall did considerable damage in the way
of washing out culyerts, which added considerab Bile
expense to this department. | would here speak of
matter which Is a great cause of complaint which
has been the occasion of damage and ANNOYANCE it
is the habit of some parties TO fill bitches at the side
of he oh he A.