The Portland daily press., 1888-03-13
MAYOR cHAPMAN's INAUGURAL,
Instructive Review of Year of Mu-
nicjpal Prosperity.
recommendations Looking to Fur
ther Betterment of City Affairs.

keCOmnen0dtiOnS LOokinS " Fa
ther Betterment of City Affairs.
A Word Respecting the enforcement
of the Laws.
The following is the full text Of Mayor
Chapman's inaugural address:
Gentlemen of the City Council:
We are assembled to-day, as the chosen
representatives of the people, TO assume the
responsibilities of administration for the en-
suing year. Fully understanding the nature
Of the obligation imposed upon us in this act,
and relying upon the strength OF the Divine
Governor of the Universe whose aid has been
invoked in our behalf, let us enter upon our
duties with an answering purpose to so con-
duct public affairs as TO promote the true
interests of all our citizens.
1t is gratifying to be able to designate sew
eral directions in which Portland has material
ly prospered during the past year. While we
regret the continued suspension of some manu-
featuring industries occasioned by the central
ization Of business in great consolidated trusts,
and, also, the temporary withdrawal OF foreign
steamship lines. yet we can congratulate our
selves that trade, in general, has been fairly
remunerative, while some enterprises have
hourished with more than average success.
The era of building, inaugurated several years
since, has continued in marked degree, pro-
ducing many permanent investments in real
estate. The more noticeable Of these, in our,
business area, are the commodious Whitney
block, the outgrowth of the city's action rela-
tive to old City hall; the Jose block, COM
manding special attention from its unique
appearance, and the Oxford building, unexcelled
for its office conveniences. Numerous
small dwellings have supplemented
the erection of costly residences, together con-
tributing considerably to the city's beauty and
valuation.
Another edifce of great public interest, the
result of private generosity, TO which more
extended allusion will be made later, is our
Public Library building, As predicted in my
last inaugural, the construction of the Union
depot was begun the past summer, and is now
being rapidly pushed forward to completion.
requiring however, prior to its occupancy,
large additional expenditures on the part of
the various railroad lines intending to avail
themselves of its privileges.
The Portland Horse railroad company,
under the permission granted by the
city council, extended its Spring street
line through Neal and Vaughan streets, to
connection with its Congress street
gress and Middle street lines from the Union
depot to the post office. Through such exten-
sions and improvements the public travel over
these routes is better accommodated, and diff
ferent sections Of our city are brought into
convenient and easy relations with one
another.
Initial steps were also taken by the last city
council to secure the construction OF new
reservoir of 100000 gallons capacity upon
Munjoy hill. For this purpose land has already
been purchased by the Water company and,
soon as the season renders ii practicable, con-
struction will follow, involving large outlays
for material and labor.
1t can hardly be expected that the coming
year will witness the erection of so many
buildings as have marked the past few seasons.
In the absence of extensive manufactures, the
growth of the city can be commensurate, only,
with the development of the territory that is
tributary to it. We are now apace with the
outlying country and, if we would increase
our normal ratio of growth. special encour
agement must be given TO the introduction of
manufacturing enterprises into our midst, as
well as special effort directed TO the utilization
of our natural advantages as port of
shipment.
And right here we should consider the prac-
tical bearing of low rate of taxation upon
the influx of capital into our community for
commercial and industrial uses. Especially
ought this question to influence our action in
voting appropriations. and limiting expendi-
lures to the lowest point consistent with true
economy. Business men and manufacturers
are reminded each succeeding year of the
gradual diminution of margins of profit. I'm
less expenses are correspondingly reduced,
capital is impaired,-loss and disaster are sure
FL H.. IL net
all classes, and, aware of this fact am sure
we shall all cooperate with a view to its
reduction.
Last wear the rate could not well be brought
below S2l per thousand, notwithstanding some
circumstances in its favor, prominent among
which was the contract entered into with the
Portland Water company, whereby the tax OF
that corporation was heavily increased. The
occasion of the maintenance in rate for 1887
was due rather to the requirement for larger
overlayings, and to an unexpected loss of val
uation from liquidation of business firms and
removal from the city of several large estates,
than to the size of the appropriation bill which
was really less than the preceding year.
What the tax rate shall be the coming year
must depend ultimately, in good measure,
upon the amount of valuation; nevertheless 1t
lies within our control to lend material assist
ance tOWdIus lto IcuuCtiOh tiiou6h JuAAeaOuo
appropriations.
A strict confinement to actual municipal
necessities, omitting expenditures reasonably
demanded, would, probably, enable us to
somewhat reduce taxation this year. This
desirable end could certainly be accomplished,
if we should omit the construction of Cape
Elizabeth Ferry landing, required, it may be.
by statute, the completion of the marginal
way rendered well nigh indispensable for the
abatement of the back bay nuisance and for
securing the advantages of governmental dis
bursements, and, also the extension OF new
High street, which has been petitioned for by
large number of our prominent taxpayers
upon considerations of public health as well
as municipal progress.
The comparative demand for these improve
ments, and Others which l will not take the
time to mention, will come before you for dis
cusslon, and upon your decision Will rest, SO
far as we can determine the verdict OF higher
or lower taxation for the ensuing year. Still
anohe factor which may enter into the prob
lemis the sale of the city's gas stock, and the
lease of the Portland and Ogdensburg rail-
road. Certain propositions for the latter are
being considered, which will be definitely re-
ferred to elsewhere. Should the directors of
the Portland and Ogdensburg road and the
city council favorably entertain these PROPOSE
tons, with subsequent ratification by the
electors of Portland, another source of revenue
would become available to meet the necessary
expenses of municipal government, thereby
helping to remove the burden of taxation.
We will now pass to a statement Of the
financial condition of the city.
STATEMENT OF CITY DEBT MARCH I, 1883.
The municipal debt March .o.o ooo
81, 1887, was $S53,OOO
Paid and cancelled since that
date, l9o,O0O -.
Bonds issued TO Atlantic and st.
Lawrence railroad;
Due November 2, 1885, 50 600,
Due November ?, 1887, S23l,0O
Due November2, 1888, $30s ,0O0 $4,000
March 81. 1851, $4,000
Bonds in aid Portland and
Rochester railroad Original
issue sl,5Oo,OOO) due July /,
1887, 62I500
Paid and cancelled since
March 81 ,1SS7, 626,5OO ,
Bonds in aid of Portland
and Ogdensburg railroad;
due september 1, 1907, 100000
Building Loan bonds (origi-
nal issue $s95. .O00) due
June j, 1881 outstanding
March 81, 1887, 100000
Paid and cancelled since
81, 1887, oolOOO ,ooo