The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-25
MAYOR BAXTER.
Valuable Suggestions in His Address
TO the Council.
HIS SALARY TO BE DEVOTED TO A
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL,

The Inauguration Proceedings Yesterday
| How Mr.. Baxter Was Declared Mayor
of Portland : His Address Received
with Manifestations of Approval-The
Full Text of the Document
The Inauguration of Mayor Baxter
took place yesterday. The Council Cham
Der, where the inaugural address was de-
livered, was filled with very large au-
dience, numbering many of our best
known citizens, both ladies and gentle
men. When Mr.. Baxter alluded to the
gift of his salary to establish an indus
trial school there was loud applause and
it was renewed at the close of his adj
dress.
Inc aldermen were called to order by
Chairman Guptill at 10 a. M, and it was
at once voted to go intoijoint convention.
The Common Council, called to order by
President Randall, also voted to go into
joint convention.
The Joint convention was called to or
der by Alderman Guptill and the city
clerk read the returns of the city vote, by
which it appeared that Hon, James p.
Baxter had been duly elected mayor for
the coming year.
Aldermen MCGOWAN and Josselyn and
Councilmen Cousens, Leighton and How
ell were appointed committee to notify
MIR RqvtnY, Of his ole n1 -
his attendance in the convention for the
purpose of Inauguration. They reported
the fulfilment of the duty.
Mayor Ingraham, Mayor-elect Baxter
and Rev. Matt S. Hughes entered to-
gether, escorted by the city marshal. The
city clerk then administered the oath of
office to Mr.. Baxter, after which prayer
was offered by Rev. Mr.. Hughes.
Mayor Baxter then delivered his inaug-
ural address:
Gentlemen of the City Council:
In accordance with laws wisely framed
for the maintenance of public order, we
have been selected by our fellow citizens
to administer the fiscal and prudential
affairs of this municipality for the ensu-
ing year and to secure to it good govern
ment.
To be selected from so large body of
citizens eligible to Office by virtue of pos
sessing the right of franchise, that pecu-
liar privilege of American citizenship. is
an especial honor, since it is not only a
mark of confidence in our fitness for the
places to which we have been selected,
butof trust in our integrity, and we
@ ho 80 4
and trust, did we fail in the slightest de-
greeto faithfully administer the imporss
tant interests deposited in our keeping.
If our fellow citizens have thoughtfully
and deliberately elected us to office, and
if we faithfully and wisely perform the
duties pertaining to official position, the
essential purpose of our unique system
of popular government will have been
secured.
AS to the first of these propositions, it
is no m g sentimental assumption of
ethical virtue to assert that defeat by
thinking ballots is better than victory by
unthinking ones, and as to the other.
that the man is base indeed, who can re.
gard public Office otherwise than public
trust.
Assuming then that we have been
thoughtfully elected to Office, and that
we are resolved to faithfully perform
our duties, would emphasize the neces-
sity of cooperation in all things calcu-
lated to promote the common good We
are no longer members of opposing po-
lltical parties, but public servants, having
properly only the public welfare to serve
and shall rely upon you and YOU shall
rely upon me, to support ali lust and
wise. measures which may come before
us, without regard to political effect.
Without such cooperation, we shall
none of us look back with satisfaction
upon the achievements of the year.
10 you, my predecessor in Office, in as
Stunning the position which you have
filed with so much grace and dignity,
permit me to extend to YOU my ac-
acknowledgements for your unvarying
kindness and good will.
Financial Condition of the City.
The first matter of interest to which
shall call your attention is the financial
condition of our city. By the subjoined
report, marked A, you will observe that
the total bonded debt of the city on
March LIST last was $2,s11, $50. and that
the city possesses available assets as fol-
lows:
%, SCI LILO shares of the stock of the
Portland and 0gdensburg railroad
which, valued at $50 per share.
would amountto S1.17s. o5h
1, 100 shares Of the stock of the go
Portland Gas Light company,
which. at $50 per share, would
amount to 1AA 5oo
Add to this mortgage notes owned
by the city, and trust funds on
which the city pays interest only, 43 1919
And we have total of available as
sets amounting to $1365,754
Two years ago the Hon. George w.
True recommended in his inaugural ad-
dress, that the ordinance relating to the
sinking fund should be amended, so that
these stocks and securities should be
placed to the credit of the committee on
reduction of the city debt, and I renew
his recommendation, changing the valu
alton to more nearly conform to their
present value. If this recommendation
receives your favorable action. the net
debt of the city would be reduced to
81 ,445, 996, which will enable us to bor-
row money of institutions which are pre-
vented from investing in bonds of cities
whose debt exceeds five per cent. of their
Go,