The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-03-19
Organization of the City Government.

city officers were sworn in by the city clerk. The
council organized by the choice of Charles w. Ha-
ney, president and W. b. Washburne, clerk. The
joint convention assembled when the Mayor was
sworh in by the city clerk. Prayer offered by
Rev. MIR. Savage. Mayor Fogler then read the fol
lowing
ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL: l con
graduate myself i'll entering upon the duties of
the office to which have been elected by the cti-
zens of this city, that am associated with SO large
a number of those who have so faithfully and ably
conducted the business affairs OF the city govern
ment during the past three years.
The fact that 50 large majority of this City
Council, by their experience h.ye become better
wants of the city, would seem to supersede the
necessity of any address by at this time. In
cordance, however, with usage of too long con
tinuance to be entirely ignored, will briefly call
your attention to some of the many matters which
will require your consideration during your term
of office.
uicipa year is fully set forth i'll the exhaustive re
port of the City Treasurer which has been referred
to the present City Council. The report demon
stratGo that during the year the affairs of the city
have been administered by judictous and economi-
cal hands. Without appreCiaby increasing taxa
ton, with no dividends from the railroad stock
owned by the city, and without recourse to loans,
temporary OF otherwise all the liabilities OF the
city, including interest on the bonded debt, have
been promptly met at maturity, ana net balance
of *2.b9sso remains in favor OF the city.
An examination OF the accounts OF the city treas
urer shows that in the years 1882, 1883 and 1884
there raised by taxation S5,l5166 less. and the
amount received from uiviiends on the cltyS rail
road stock Sl5,1O5 less, than was realized by
the city from the same sources in the years 1879
1850 and 1881 while the Indebtedness of the city has
not been increased during the three years last past
The six per cent. bonds OF the city known The
1881 Il. X. bonds amounting to 80 300. will fall due
ON The 18th of August next. The note of the i. X
"a birh fbtaru /. IItn& =
900, will become payable to The city ON the 10Th OF
November, next. 1t is quite probable that the
amount due upon this note may be available toward
the pawn mt of the 1850 bonds notwithstanding the
fact that il becomes due subsequently to the matur-
ity of the bonds.
The ,cfunding committee of The last city govern
ment report that during the past year but $500 OF
the 1888 sin per cent. bonds of the city nave been
redeemed. While the four per cent. bonds of the
city can be readily disposed of at par, the commit
tee have been unable 10 induce the holders OF our
six per cents to surrender them except at premi-
UNI larger than the committee, or the city council
have felt author ID To pay.
The City Council should at early day, take
such action ) may be necessary to facilitate the
process of refunding. The burden imposed by oui
excessive interest account is so disastrous to the
prosperity of the city that nave no doubt our cltl
Ms will sustain the city government i'll rigorous
efforts for their relief.
The police department of the city, upon whose eff
ticiency the peace Of the community, and the security
Of the persons and property of the citizens 81
largely depends should have the careful superyis
ion of the city government. The members of that
force should be selected with care, should have act
equAte compensation while on duty, should be dill
gent and faithful i'll the performance of their duties
and should be especially guarded against creating
unnecessary expense To the county city.
The criminal costs of the county of Waldo, of
which about twenty six per cent. is borne ny this
city, have increased to an alarming extent the total
amount of such costs, including the support OF
prisoners in Jail, for the year ending Nov. t SSi
being S1,625s5 The commissioners of the county
are doing all in their lower to reduce these eN-
penses and our Interest and our duty requires that
assist them in their efforts.
The report Of the city marshal shows that 1856 ar
rests made by the police force OF the city dur
ing the past wear of which l4, three ourths OF the
whole number of arrests, were for drunkenness
The oeace OF society, rs WSll as the good name
of our city, demand of the city council serious
sideration of the dep!orable facts disclosed by
this report.
The Legislature, at its recent session, passed an
ACT giving the police force of this city exclusive
jurisdiction within the city in criminal cases, after
the first day of April next and authorizing the city
council to establish a salary tor the Police Judge
in which case the Judge shall account for and pay
into the city treasury all fees received by him in
criminal cases. In my Judgment the compenst.
ton of no judicial officer should depend upon fee,
a proper administration of justice, and the prOtCc-
ton of the citizens from unNrrduttd acru sation-
require that there SHOULD be no peCunlary induce
ments for the commencement of criminal pro-ecu
tons recommend that You establish il salary for
the t,olicr judge.
The ~upcrintcnding school Committee report the
schools of the city to be, generally, iii prosperous
and efficient condition. 1t appears, however, BY
their report, that less than one halt OF the whole
number OF the scholars of the city attendants at
the public schools. The statute Of TIL, state pro
yides, and public policy demands, that children
should not be permitted to grow up in ignorance
and idlentss. | call your careful attention to the
recommendation of the committee upon the subject
of such non-attendapcc, and also to their other rec
concentrations Tor Increasing the efficiency Of our
schools
The Chief Engineer reports that the Fire Depart
ment of the city Is in good condition. learn that
the two engine companies well equipped tud
that no unusual appropriation VIII le required ior
them during the current year. The projection OF
property from destruction by iil" is AN important
duty. Our means for the advertisement of fires
are mea&er. at the best. Property cannot justly
complain of any reasonable expenditure for its
preservation. The City Council should proIi'ie all
practicable means for avertng coufligrttous like
those which have tWirr tley stated The clty.
Tt Gily solicitor reports that there are no suits
now pending in which the city is prccUuialiIy in
terested except that of the 3. 4 NJ. l.. X. X. CO.,
III equity. against the City OF Belfast and others III
which nothing remains to ID done except to ait
the decision of the court.
the city viii expire ON the 10Th day Of MAY, next
Provision must be made for Their support from
that date.
am lot aware Of any occasion for increasing
the appropriations for the Expenditures of the city
during the current yeHr over the amounts appro
priated last wear, while the rigid economy practic
ed by the last city council leaves us little reason to
expect any very material reduction III such eNpen
dllure- this year.
In calling your attention to these several matters
| am not unmindful of other important duties
which deyuivc upon IN members of the city gov
eminent, and which, | trust, will he promptly
faithfully and feariessly performed ny each Of u
as the occasions for their performance shall arise.
The following officers elected for the eur
rent municipal year:
City Clerk-..ames ). Hartman.
City Ircasurer-Emery Boarman.
City Solicior-R. +. Dunton.
City Physcian->. w. Johnson, NJ u.
Aesessors-Geo. + Wallace, W. Is. Conant, anC
A. A. Small.
Oyerseers of the Poor-W. II. FogIer, 0. &
White, and W. p. Thompson.
experimenting school committee = Arthur
Brown, for three years, j. A. Ross for two years
(Dr. kilgore holds over for one ycar,)
Chief Engineer Fire Departmental. }. Halri
man
City Marshal-Charle5 T. Richards.
City SeNton-Heury Dunbar.
Sexton for West Bclfast-Robert Waterman.
Sexton Ward Four-Frank l.. Emmons.
Sexton Ward Five-Lucus Stephenson.
sexton South Belfast-James W Wood.
Sexton South West Belfast-II. L. Gray.
IIarbor MASTER b. Thombs.
Board OF Health--S. W, johnson, c. T. Richards
Collector of TaXes-Fred A. Garlic.
Pound keepers-Benj. ID. Field and J. c. Town
send.
Measures of Corn Grain and saIt--Raph Emery
Nathaniel ohoes, b. il. Conant, f. Il. Gray, G. +
knowton, Edward Sibley, c. 5. Bickford, Charles
Baker, c. f. CHM, B. ID. Field
Cucrs of Hoops and >taves-B. II. Conant, Wal
ter q. Hatch Rufus Dyer.
Measurers of Wood and Bark-Wm. Cunning
ham, Doane Pattershall, J. q. Hall, Daniel Hara
den, X. A. Carney, &. H. Sargent.
Surveyors of Lumbcr-S. II. Mathews, J. Y. Cot
ue, Cyrus Pat ,erson, E. 5. Carter, w. X. Keene
K. A. Quincy, J.. 7. Foster, Sanford Howard
Fence Niewers-Geo. Z. Harding, Simon A. Pay.
son, Lucius 2. Walton.
Weighers of Coal and IIay-O. W. Pitcher, y f.
Keene, Nathaniel Sholes, Benz. Hazeltine, Ralph
Sibley. Charles Baker, J. G.. Paul. G. S. Bedford
III. q. Pitcher, J.. I. Shaes.
In addition to the usual orders one was passed
authorizing school districts to hire agents anu teach
ers... 1t was ordered that sum not to exceed $40
be appropriated for the ringing of the bells three
times each day. The order fixing the compensa-
ton of the tax collector at one and three fourIs
per cent on the amount collected and paid III, pass
ed the board of Aldermen, but was non-concurred
of Aldermen. 1t was ordered that joint special
committee consisting of the Mayor, city treas urer
one from the board of Aldermen with such as the
Council may join lie appointed with power and
authority TO proceed at once in the matter OF re