Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-12
WE ARE SEVEN.!
So Say Both Sides Of Water
vile Common Council.
Democrats Finally Give in Enough to
Elect A. F. Drummond Clerk.
Aldermen Wait in Vain for Councilman TO
Enter Join! Convention.

Jne organization, OF fatner Inc attempt
to organize, of the new city government.
The situation is peculiar one, the vote
in the alderman's room standing four
Democrats to three Republicans, and in
the lower branch the party vote being a
tie, seven and seven. Every member
elect, in each branch, was present.
The board of aldermen was called to
order by City Clerk ID. P. Foster, and
I. f. Ransted was elected temporary chair
man. The committee on credentials,
consisting of Aldermen elect Lasselle and
Noble, examined the certificates of the
members, and then the lower branch
was requested to come into joint conven-
ton to listen to the may or's address.
Alderman Foley and Councilman Pur-
inton were appointed committee to wait
on the mayor elect and inform him that
the board was awaiting his pleasure.
They returned escorting the mayor elect
accompanied by Rev. Il. J. Valentine.
The oath was administered by Judge W.
c. Philbrook, first to Mayor Knauff, then
to the aldermen elect, then to the council
men elect. after which prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr. Valentine. Mayor Knauff
then read his inaugural address which
was as follows
Gentlemen of the City Council:
1--WE meet today to inaugurate new city
government which is to control the
affairs of our city for the coming year.
To us all a grave responsibility is en-
trusted. We have to control that govern
ment which comes the nearest to all citi
;,,< hn of 81, fbnp
are most deeply interested. To a few Of
us the responsibility is not entirely new,
but to many of you present it is duty
which has not before been assumed. For
myslf wish to express the sense which
feel of the high honor which has been con-
ferrd upon me, of being for second time
elected to the chief executive Office in our
city of which we are all SO proud One
year ago came TO the office untried. and
the renewed confidence of my fellow oiti
zens, as expressed in my reelection, as
sure you feel most deeply.
LET us, as we enter upon the duties of
our respective offices, review our present
standing, and l trust you will be patient
with me while do SO, and also make
few suggestions.
To-day, as will be shown by the city re-
port for the last municipal year (Which
will shortly be in our hands,, the total
bonded Indebtedness of the city is s2l0
j00 of this amount $500 was due on the
first of January last, and as the cash is
on deposit to pay these bonds as well as
all overdue coupons on presentation, this
amount should be deducted, leaving the
net bonded debt 5000, 900. We have also
loan. on account of rebuilding Cedar
bridge of 5000, and two loans made be
cause the taxes could not be collected
sufficiently fast to pay all bills, amount
ing to $4,000 Total Indebtedness, S22l l.,
600.
I'VE have uncollected taxes on account of
which the last two loans We're made,
amounting to $500 for 1892, $500 for 1898,
and SIS, 9S9. a. for 1894. In comparing
this statement with that made one yeai
ago. cannot but feel that it is gratifying
At that time there was bonded indebted
ness of $780,, 900; interest bearing orders
outstanding of s33, 920-total debt, s225,-
900
1.-The amount of uncollected taxes was
more than at present, but after deducting
the overdue bonds and coupons for which
payment was unprovided at that time, and
other unpaid bills the amount left was
DOT SO large as at tho present time.
t"Today, believe we have no unpaid bills
of any amount and our accounts are not
overdrawn. You will, therefore, see that
during the year we have made consider
able reduction i'm our city debt, and we
have also made many permanent improve
ments among which are the new Brook
street schoolhouse, built at total cost of
$4,000; all of which has been paid this
year. and out of amount raised for taxes,
with the exception of S1400 which was
realized from the sale of the city farm;
the new steel bridge over the Messalon-
skee near the foundry. and the large
amount OF concrete walk laid on Elm,
Temple and Pleasant streets. During
the year also the Understanding orders
upproyided for have been bonded at such
a rate of interest rs will, l am sure, be
material yearly saving.
"Our 1894 valuation amounted to 81,
CSC. 600. and the debt limit being per
cent. of this is 1884, 100; our present in
debtedness, as before stated, being s221,-
600. makes us within sig, 500 of that limit.
But of this debt s12, 900 is to be paid out
of last years uncollected taxes Deduct
ing that amount from the debt, the pres
emit borrowing capacity of our city should
be $24, 900
"This, although an improvement over
the condition one year ago, leaves but
narrow margin. and at times has en-
barrassed the officials in negotiating loans
so as to obtain the best interest rates. SO
much for the past.
LET us now look forward to what is be-
- -ln% s,x
the past each succeeding year calls for
more, and these calls cannot go unheeded.
lone thing which will aid us in answer
ing these calls this year is the fact that
during the coming year the bonds of the
city coming due amount TO only $1,000;
while in past years the amount has been
$1,000; SO that for that item this year we
shall not have to raise so much by $4,000.
son the street department there are
many calls for Improvements. Many Of
-. A-,o+s toinC shaded SO much by the