The Portland daily press., 1884-03-11
90 Of bonds issusd in aid OF said railroad comp,

p9hoie Tue close OF the present financial year.
1t is gratifying to note the gradual reduC
uon OF our net debt and gives US confidence t
believe that the day is not far distant when
Will De entirely wiped out. 1t is still, how
ever, nearly one-tenth of our valuation an,
based upon the appropriation of last yea
nsariy one.nith OF our whole income is requir
ed to pay the interest.
will not at this time hazard an opinion a
TO the sufhciency or insufficiency of the appro
prlatlonS OF preceding years, but am inclipet
20 the belief that we must look TO the reduc
ton OF the debt, and to increase of valuation
Tor diminishing the rate of taxation.
The interest account will be about five thou
sand dollars less this year than last, but unless
there is an increase in the valuation of eul
saxable property over that of last year land il
the present state Of business it does not seem
probable that there will be), in order to keeE
the rate OF taxation at the same figure, the
appropriation will have to be reduced in the
aggregate $40 900, the same amount received
from the Atlantic and st. Lawrence Railroad
company and included in last years income
less the $1,000 above named.
We depend upon the direct taxation. ALWAYS
vexatious and troublesome, for the great vol.
ume OF our income. 1t is in this that the citi.
zen, usually loyal and peaceful, finds an an
tagonlstic interest. 1t therefore becomes us TO
| consider well making appropriations not only
| the seeming necessities of our municipality,
but also to regard the wishes of our fellow cit
| liens.
Taking it for granted that your appropria-
lions will be as low as true economy shall die
tate, enJoin upon you the great Importance
| not only OF the judicious expenditure but of
| keeping your expenses entirely within the linn
| It's OF the appropriations.
/ 1t Is exceedingly mischieyous to rob one ap-
| preparation for the benefit of another, or to
| leave to your successors the payment of bills
contracted by yourselves; andlI trust that this
| year we shall have none of it.
You have little to do with the appropriations
| for schools, and for the support of the poor.
beyond making them. There is no cause 10
of these commissions. They, lie yourselves,
serve without compensation ga should receive
| cheerfully such assistance. ~ your nhna as tne
great importance of tbef work demands.
The fire and police safatH must sG y essential @ i
| he neolacted lou should show these men,
| who at the-1sk of health and often of life
are ever "a the alert to protect your persons
and y-operty, that their services are appre-
c;1Sed, and that you are not unmindful of their
! wants.
The reports for the past year of the chiefs of
these and other departments will be placed in
your hands in few days. A careful examina.
ton OF them will materially aid you in deter
mining your duties in each case.
The alarming increase in the number OF
wooden buildings even in the business parts
OF our city, and the almost entire disregard OF
our ordinances restricting the erection Of the
same, should receive your early attention.
And, If necessary, additional laws should be
enacted to prevent the increase of this evil
While seeking a reduction of taxes in one
direction we should exercise the greatest eau
ton lest our acts or neglects increase the taxes
of our people by adding to the rates of insur-
in which che amount paid for insuring proper
ty ii greater than the amount of the taxes
upon 1t.
The suggestions of our able and efficient city
av1f 0nlIf fA~ An1k
ing. Ii is to this department that we not only
look for direction in the construction of those
things necessary and useful, but for instruction
in the judiclous expenditure of such sums as
can be devoted to ornamentation. In Mr..
Goodwin we have a man we'll fitted by nature
education and experience to be our guide in
either direction. His continued reelection to
this responsible office is a substantial proof of
the confidence of his towDsmen.
1t may not be amiss for me in view of the
great multitude, who, during the vacation sea.
son, in quest of health Or pleasure most natur-
ally come to our New England coast, to speak
of the advantages OF Portland. Nature has
been lavish of her favors to our beautiful Cas-
co Bay, and Its surroundings. make no rec
ommendatlon, looking to the expenditure of
money, but trust that you will be more fully
impressed with the value of the attractions
nature has provided, aud in conjunction with
our fellow citizens, will strive to make these
attractions as fruitful to interests as posi-.
BILE.
1t is of course impossible, at the commence
ment OF the year, to make specific recommen-
datlons IN relation to matters which will de-
mand our attention. Bat, as occasion arises
during the year, I shall make such suggestions
as may seem TO me calculated to promote inter-
6sts of our citizens and to aid you in the per-
formance of your duties We must not forget
that our powers and duties, as we'll as those of
our associate officers, are largely prescribed by
law and that really but little is left to our dis
Cr6LlODs assured that 4 shall have
your cooperation in endeavoring to see that
the duties of the officers in all the departments
are faithfully performed.
In the management of our municipal affairs
subdivisions have been made which you may
deem best to continue. This necessarily makes
government by committees and calls for the
largest confidence in one another. The good
feeling now apparent among us is, l believe,
real; and although it is not expected or even
desired that we should always be one mind, /
| sincerely hope that this confidence and good
Will may continue long after our term of SER
vice here shall have expired.
| AT the close of the address the convention
dissolved.
Board of Aldermen.
His Honor Mayor King called the Aldermen
| to order about 740. Routine business was
transacted as follows
PETITIONS REFERRED.
Of William H. Somers to erect steam en-
| giDe opposite the head of Gross street.
| OF Randall & McAllistar to erect wooden
| building and lay track on Main wharf.
APPOINTMENTS MADE.
| Charles S. Bickford was appointed and con-
| fifmed inspector of -four. James s. Gould,
| superintendent of burials, J. & M. Rand, un-
| dertakers at Peaks Island Andrew j. Cum
| mings and Frank l. Brett, special policemen
| without pay; Andrew j. Rich, and w. Rich,
| N. W. Morse. Lewis Bunce, @. Ilsley, Jere-
miah Ilsley, |. S. Cushman, James H. Tobin,
| Josiah Dill, Q. H. Blake, William Jeffords,
John Nsgle. and Charles W. Harris, under
/ takers.
| OTHER BUSINESS
| The bonds of A. w. Barbour, e. A. Leigh
| ton, Thomas M. Glendenning, G. w. Witham,
| Charles B. Moseley, Howard f. Hall and
| Stephen L. Hall as constables, were granted
| subject to the approval of the City Solicitor.
/ Alderman Noyes said he represented ma
iority of the Board, he. thought, in desiring the
electric light to be removed. Aldermen Kel.
| sey and Hawkes. concurred in the opinion oi
/ the gentleman from seven.
1t was voted that the Mayor cause the cleo,
/ tric light to be removed from the Aldermen I
| room.
A communication came from the lower
board on the petition OF Mr. r. B. Whitcomt
for the free use of City Hall for temperance
meetings Sunday evenings. The council vot
ed to leave the matter to the discretion of the
Mayor until the regular committee shall be ap
pointed. The aldermen concurred.
AT $40 the Board adjourned.
IN JOINT CONVENTION.
A large audience had assembled in the eoun
Gil chamber when the joint session began. The
business passed off smoothly and with unusua
rapidity. For the first sixteen officers thu
Democrats had regular ticket to present ant
SO the voting was on strict party lines.
Aldermen Kelsey and Councilman Wilson
and Alderman Gallagher and Councilman Nc
Lelan were appointed committees to alternat,
4 in receiving, sorting and counting votes
Twenty-eight votes were cast, making 10 nee
essary for a choice.
The vote for City Clerk resulted:
George c. Burgess R) R)..................,..... q
Manfred M. Riggs O9. .''''................
The ballot for City Treasurer gave:
Henry W. Hersey (R). q
H. M. Richardson (D0
The vote for Auditor was as follows;
Geo. W. Woodbury. D0...........,,,. .........
The ballot for City Messenger resulted
John L. Shaw Qs9 9.............. ...............1 Il
A. Il. Farnswcrth (D) ....... ...................
| For City Solicitor the vote thrown was.