The Portland daily press., 1886-03-09
MAYOR cHAPMAN,s ADDRESS.

Mayor Chapman's inaugural address is
thoughtful and instructive paper The gen
eral policy mapped out in it is one that will
commend itself to all good citizens, irrespec-
tive of party, while its specific suggestions
are wise and timely. His review of our mu-
nicipal affairs shows that we are making
progress in the right direction. Our debt
though heavy is not burdensome, and year
by year we are subtractng from it, and at
the same time gradually reducing the tax
rate. Last year the debt was diminished by
S37OOO and the sinking fund will be ade-
quate to take care of $4,000 falling due dur
ing the next financial year.
The Mayor finds the various departments
of the government in good condition and do
ing satisfactory work. Our schools are max
ing gratifying progress and he commends
them to the fostering care of the city council
The recommendation of the school commit
tee that new building be erected for the
School street district is favorably commend
ed to the council.
The Mayor recommends that as much mon
ey as possible be spent in laying granite
pavement upon our streets. and making such
other permanent improvements as may seem
lieve the city from the burden of maintain
ing Pride's and the Stroudwater bridge. The
ice storm has made a heavy draft upon the
appropriations for this department, $4,000
having already been expended in repairing
damages consequent thereon, and consldera-
bly, more being needed.
He recommends the extension of the inter-
cepting sewer on Commercial street from
Maple to Centre street the coming year, and
reviews the work that has been done on
Back Bay, expressing the opinion that when
it is completed no further trouble will be
experienced from that locality for several
years to come.
The fire department is in a good state of
efficiency, and no special expenditure is an
ticipated the coming year except for hose.
The change in the law relative to the APP
pointment and removal of policemen is COM
mended as calculated to promote the efficien-
cy Of the force and to maintain better disci-
pline.
The policy of selling the city's unimproved
real estate which was initiated number
of years ago the Mayor thinks has borne good
fruit and he expresses the opinion that at
no very distant day it will be wise to trans
fer our poor house, perhaps to some island in
the bay, and dispose of the land on which it
now stands and the adjoining farm.
The Mayor INDUCES in some very peril
nent and timely remarks regarding the GUS
tom of members of the city government fur
nishing materials and supplies to the city.
and very properly condemns it, and expresses
the hope that all the members of the council
will cooperate with him in an attempt at re-
form in this direction. Another tendency
which he cautions the council against, is that
on the part of committees of carelessly ex-
ceeding the appropriations and trusting to
the contingent fund to make up the def
cheney That fund, he well says, should
be kept intact for unforeseen emergencies"
The Mayor reviews the arguments for and
against the present method of street light
ing bv electricity, but expresses no opinion
as to whether we should retain the present
system or go back to gas. A mixed system,
however, he condemns as wasteful, and he
intimates that our present system can never
be made q success until the wires are placed
under ground.
He recommends a proper celebration OF
the centennial anniversary of Portland, and in
regard to the gift Of the town hall lot, he says
he shall regard it as his duty to subordinate
his own personal views to the popular will
expressed at the polls provided, after still
further investigation and discussion, meas
ures looking in that direction should meet
with the approval of the council.
The vicissitudes of the Ogdensburg rail
road are reviewed at considerable length,
and the most jealous watchfulness is urged
upon the council that the interests of the
city in this enterprise be not jeopardized by
any action or want of action on their part.
The Mayor says very plainly that it will
be his aim to enforce all the laws strictly and
impartially. "The officer" he says, ''who
promptly arrests the lad who may steal to
satisfy his hunger, and takes no cognizance
of the saloon where liquor is sold in viola
ton of the statute, is not only derelict in the
performance of his duty, but becomes an in
strument of injustice under the law, and an
instructor against the authority of law it
self" There is certainly no comfort to VIC
lators of the law in this sentence, and we
have no doubt the sentiment it expresses
will be fully carried out in practice.
Mayor Chapman begins well. His discus
sion of city affairs shows that he is thorough
ly conversant with the needs of the city, and
has correct apprehension of what meas
ures will conduce to its prosperity. We
have no doubt that his acts viii be consistent
with his words.