Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-20

Due from state for rent Of armory, so 90
Non resident tax d. eds ON fife, LIB So
Resident tax deeds on file, appears on
face Of deeds, 6s4 80
Total, s2s,s5i 81
LIABILITIES.
Outstanding city bonds -
Five per cent bonds of 1864, $l4,l 90
Improvement bonds OF 1867, 20l 500 90
six per cent bonds of 1878. 5000 90
for BY app opriation Of 1851, $1,000 90
Past due coupons, 1887 30
Due st. Marks Home, 1000 90
Due Library (I-ithgow) Reading Room
Fund, 20, 90 90
Total. $s32, 2s7 50
Present debt. $3o5. PSF so
We see by the above report that the city debt
has been reduced Sc, 5S4 % the past year. The
State and county taxes have been promptly
paid as well as all other liabilities as they
have become due, and we have about SILL
900, in the treasury. think this amount,
combined with the upaid taxes of last year,
will enable us to meet necessary calls on the
treasury. until the taxes of the present year
become due. without the usual resort to tenn
porary loans. We need to raise about $780,
900 for city expenses, So, 900, of this amount
are required for five special objects. namely
State and county tax, schools. interest on debt
and support of poor. These expenditures
we cannot cut down. Economy in the man
agemeut of municipal affairs is an essential
duty. hut there is a form of economy which
defeats its own purpose. The prosperity of
a city requires liberal expenditures in the d.
rections which pertain to education, health,
and all proper improvements for the good OF
the people. To cripple these agencies would
be mistaken economy. Therefore, | would
recommend the strictest prudence consistent
with the welfare of the city.
HIGHwAYs.
This department has overdrawn its appro-
priations. We have many miles of roads.
streets and sidewalks to keep in order. The
appropriation for highways must be some
what larg, r than last year. The city pur-
chased last year five acres of land-part of
the Wade lot, so called-near the State
House. containing a large amount of good
gravel which will last many wears. and after
it is gone the land will he valuable. During
the winter, Street Commissioner Cottle has
hauled 400 loads of gravel from this lot to
Cushnoc Heights, for use this spring in that
part of the city. You will receive many pc
litions for sidewa ks, drains and street i'm
provements The Committee on Highways
will have a difficult duty to perform in meet
inI the numerous demands with the given
appropriation. From the many applications.
you will need to select those which commend
themselves to your judgment a the most inn
portant.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer Morse will report to you
that the department Is in good condition We
have been very fortunate in regard to fires,
not even one alarm for the winter, and only
one or two small fires for the year. Some
will inquire why so much expense IN this de-
partment tor the past year. The extra ex-
penses have been unusual, namely: 5000 for
hose 5000 for repairs on steamer Atlantic,
Sl50 on steamer Cushnoc, hose carriage, and
the building of wharf for the accommoda-
ton Of the steamers. My impression is that
$1,000 will be sufficient for the department
the present wear. This department is one OF
the most important of the city and must be
ustained. The officers and men have dis
charged their duties in manner entirely sat
| isfactory.
Poor DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for this department has
| been somewhat ovrrdrawn. The winter has
heen a severe one for the poor, and calls for
| helm have been numerous. Citizens who
| have property cannot object to being taxed
| for the ~ port of the poor and suffering
Some repairs will be needed on the outbulid-
| ings at the city farm. This department has
| been well UaHaStu ~ e"S o'SAS~>'S'
cbs;rman of the board. Mr.. Chase, declines
TO serve longer. He has been very efficient
gentleman for the place. For details
If This department. refer you to the report
of the overseers, and superintendent Of the
city farm.
SEWERAGE.
A good beginning has been msde in the
building of sewers. This work must be con.
tinued if we are to have healthy city.
would recommend some system whereby al
drains entering sewers of the city should pay
part of the expense of building. II may bt
necessary for an ordinance to he made tf
carry this measure into effect. For the last two
or three wears an order has been introduced
in the Board of Aldermen to have sewer Dull
through Water street. The board did no
feel like taking the responsibility of so ex
nensiye a work. 1t seems necessary tina
such a work should be done. l leave tn
matter in your hands.
SCHOOLS.
Thi, department should always receive on
aa,re,t attention. since the schools are IA