The Republican journal., 1886-01-07
Local Review of the Year.

events of the past year. Our city upon the whole
stood better the close of 1885 than at the end of
the preceding year, but this is mainly due to
natural causes, and not to the business improve
ment predicted result of the change in the Ma
| tional Administrations portion of the city's m
debtedness fell due in 1885, and was promptly met,
and if the railroad question had been promptly
settled in accordance with the decision of the court
we could now congratulate our citizens on a SUD-
stantial reduction in the rate of taxation As 1t Is
this railroad matter remains unsettled to be carried
over into the New Year.
TIE CROPS.
The hay crop, which is an important factor in
business, was larger and of better quality than in
1884. Little or no hay exported last year, but
there must remain from the present crop consld-
cradle surplus for shipment, although our farmers
now seem Incline, 10 feed out more hay on the
farm and put less on the market. Some of
more enterprisng farmers think better results Will
be obtained in the future from this course Other
crops have yielded we'll, particularly apples, but
prices have ruled low
RAILROAD MATTERS.
The equity suit between the Railroad and City
has been disposed of so far as the opinion OF the
court is concerned, but the opposing sides are as
debedness remains on the road, and nothing is to
be provided for save the interest on the mortgage
of Sl5o,0oO, which mortgage falls due in 1880 a
large number of our citizens are in favor of follow
ing the suggestion of the court in the matter of
rental and the mortgage, which is to declare div
dends from the rental after the interest is paid and
provide for the renewal of the mortgage when it
becomes due in 1890. Others favor passing diyi-
uendS and carving rental II, a
count until 1880, when the accumulation will pay
off the mortgage of s50,O00. The former course
would give immediate relief to our tax payers, by
reducing taxes, as the ctys dividends from Il di-
vision would be about $200O0 per annum. This
would tighten our burdens stimulate business in
vite foreign capital to come into town and check
the outward flow of personal propertv The latter
course will keep up the already excessive taxes
until 1890, when the road would be entirely free
from debt and all the rental would then be divided.
The question will probably be settled one way or
the other before spring.
FINANCIAL
The treasurer's report shows that SO 300 in bonds
of 1885 became due which We're paid with -, 800
received from the railroad and the remainder in
per cent. bonds. Enough of the 1895 bonds have
been refunded to make up a total of Abs 600
Belfast, usual, has met all its obligations prompt
ly, and the first town in the State to nay its
State tax. There has been gratifying falling of
in criminal costs originating before the municipal
courts. The salary of the Police Judge is fixed and
paid by the city, and his fees covered into the
treasury. The Judge has exclusive jurisdiction in
criminal matters, taking much of the business
heretofore going before the Trial Justices courts
thereby reducing expenses for the county. As the
city pays large proportion of the county expenses
the saving is thought to be in favor of the CITY The
! expenses before these courts have been reduced
more than 1000. There has been new contract
made for the support of the city's poor at 80 900
per annum, which is a saving of $1,000 per year
| from the last contract. Mr.. Edgcomb, the new
contractor, has fitted up comfortable quarters for
the poor, who are well provided for.
INDUSTRIES.
All of industries have prospercd during the
| year, and some new ones have been established.
( The granite business which is fast assuming the
lead, is particularly active. Mr. c. j. Hall has com
| peted one contract, and has another hand of
100000 for public building in Springfield Hi
nois. This will give employment to a large number
of men for a year or more. The other granite
companies-thc Fernald Bros George Mayo, and
the Bay View Granite Company, the latter at the
Point-have all had good run of business. One
new granite worker, Mr.. J. f. Craig, has started in
business during the year. The Oak Hill Granite
Company, at City Point, continues to do large
| business in rough granite and paving.
Messrs. Critchett & Siblev, manufacturers OF
| shoes, have had fair run of business during the
year, and at the close doing more than usual
! The shoe factory is one of leading industries
Mathews Bros. continue to be the leading manu-
| factlr of oShp n1si in NJ mo-.
land, and wen deserve the reputation. They have
employed a full force during the year and cut up
their nsua! a'nount of lumber.
Durham & Hall, manufacturers of doors, sashes
and blinds, and contractors and builders as well
have increased their business and done IA large
amount Of bullding both in the city and at neigh
boring summer resorts
Another important local industry is the manufac
ture of clothing, which gives employment to more
people than any other one business in the city. All
the old houses in this line have prospercd, and il
addition II. o. Dodge has opened a large shop for
the manufacture Of pants, and J. F. Pcndleton an
other for thc same work.
| Frank Howard has rebuilt his machine shop. Just
off Washington street, and put in new machinery
sHIPmILDING AND SHIPPING.
These former leading Industries of Belfast,
tons will soon be a thing of the past. No vessels
were launched during the year, but two now on
the stocks to be launched in 1856. Onc-a small
schooncr-s building i'll the yard of Mcdonald 4
Brown and barkcntne is building at the yard of G.
w Cotrell. For wears the shipping of this place ha
paid small dividends and owners have been dispos
ing OF this class of property Among the vessels sold
from this port during the year are ships Leonora
-
at this port for more hana ycar-brig II. {. Sibley
sch. Orion and steamer May Queen. The schooner'
Fred A. Garlic and T. II. Livingston have been
wrecked To offset this great loss but one small
vessel the sch. Charity has been added to the Meet
FIRE AND WATER.
There was but one serious fire during the wear
which occurred July - resulting i'll the loss of 500
600 worth of property, two human lives and TWEEN
ty-one horses. This fire, which caught iii the sabl,
of the Belfast Livery Company, destroyed tina
building the old Telegraph building at the cornel
of Main and High streets, the American House
Beans hat store, and carriage houses blacksmith
shop, etc. on Beaver street In all sixteen busines
places were destroyed, The second most serious
fire of the year occurred March IA, when the jail
er's residence on Congress street entirely de
stroyed. The prisoners were removed from tn,
jail Iol safety, anu MUCH cNclltlncnl prevailed
The city lost 81 POO worth of liquor which wa
stored i'll the cellar of the house. Mr.. Wadsworth
the sheriff, lost carriages household goods, etc. t.
a considerable amount. The total loss was ahotI
5000; no insurance. The other fires Of less i'm
portance noted i'll the record of local event
under their respective dates.
The fire of July l. was the cause Of an increas
in the rates of insurance, and led to Il discussion
|
committee was appointed by the City Council fo
this purpose. The proposition to buy steam fir
engine was first discussed, and this was followe,
by offer of Kinds, Motleu x Co, of New York
works Our citizens surveyed Mixer Pond, il
Knox, and other sources, and some have advocate
taking water from the Muck Pond. The Kinds
Mofet & Co. proposition is now before City Cour
Gil, where its fate is uncertain. Doubtless we sha
} have improved facilities for subduing fires bcfor
the close of another year.
NEW BUILDINGS.
But little new work has been done during TIL
year. III. n. Lascaster erected a fine brick stabl
on High street and A. A. Howes put up a ne,
brick building at the corner of High and Mai
streets. These were erected to take the place @
buildings destroyed in the fire of July 18th Nj
Bean has also rebuilt his store destroyed in til
same fire. Capt. c. Y. Cottrell East Belfast, an
Frank Coombs, off Northport avenue, have bu
new dwelling houses. More less rebuilding O