The Republican journal., 1896-03-19
Organization of the City Governmen

Organization of the City Governmen
Inc City Government for 1867 was or
ganized Monday, March 10th The Mayor
Aldermen and Common Councilmen- elect
were sworn by Joseph Williamson, Esq
Prayer was offered by Rev. J. F. Tilton
Mayor Hanson then read his annual address
as follows:
Gentlemen Of the City Council: We have
assent bled to organize the City Government
That is to manage the corporate affairs of our
city for the ensuing year and it gives me
much pleasure to look upon so many who
ably assisted in the management for the year
past OF the interests in which our citizens
are 50 deeply interested. Your return to
the City Government by your fellow citizens
furnishes the most conclusive proof that
they place confidence in your ability and In
tegrity. Some of you have been advanced
to where you will be required to hold posi-
tlons OF great responsibility. To the new
mbers-some of whom have served the
city before-we extend kindly greeting
With such experienced and honorable col
leagues, j believe that the hest interest of
every citizen will be carefully considered
1t will be well to remember that each act
will be freely criticised, it being the prvi-
lege OF every American citizen to critcse
the acts of his representative. This very
TACT should cause us to more rigidly adhere
to the demands of Justice, and know no diff
ference, officially, between the poorest man
whose interests appeal TO us for protection,
and the richest man who demands our at
tention. Personally, l shall pursue in this
direction the same course as for the past
year. There are none so poor and humble
but that their interests shall have the same
attention as the interests of the most inftl-
ental citizen.
The past year has been one of hard labor
fh44 hn1 l.
nance Committee has especially performed
very large amount of work in a highly
creditable manner. In addition to the labor
performed in the refunding, some $4,000 of
uncancelled city bonds, that were negotiable
in any parties hands, together with aecumu-
lated coupons, redeemed bonds and $3.50 600
of unissued bonds, have been recorded and
destroyed, thereby removing all danger of
their being fraudulently used.
With the reprint of the city charter the
ordinances have been revised, obsolete ordi-
nances eliminated new ordinances added,
and the work reflects much credit on the
committee having the work in charge. The
new edition contains the citys contract with
the Water Company-which, by the way, is
a very remarkable document-remarkabl
for being wholly in the interest of the Water
Company, and consequently against the
city's interests. We recommend its perusal
to all
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION
is substantially the same as for the past two
years. While the city gained at least 81 ,S36
by the refunding of $4,000 per cent bonds
we lost nearly 81 100 of our income from
Railroad and Telegraph tax, principally due
to the falling off in the receipts of the M g.
r. R. With the completion of this refuud-
ing comes the release from the hands of the
trustees, of the city's railroad stock, thus
making it available for disposal. This stock
consists of 1000 shares capital stock in the
B. & NJ. L. h. r. Co. of the par value of
$4,000
Should the market offer a favorite oppor-
tunity for the disposal OF this stock during
the coming year, in my opinion Ii should be
sold and the money rec eived from the sale
thereof invested in Government Bonds or
other good securities where it can be avail
able to meet the maturity of the S49S. 200 6
per cent bonds due in 1898.
| positively do not agree with the long list
of prominent citizens who recently signed a
remonstrance against the disposal of this
stock before the day ON which this Indebted
ness natures. 1t is not desirable TO place
the city where she will be compelled to re-
fund at whatever rate the market may de-
mand or sell this stock at d forced sale
possibly public vendue-to the highest bid
der, as would he necessary should this re-
monstrance be needed.
During the past year the city has adopted
the plan of compelling payment OF all taxes
within one wear from date of commitment
This will save considerable to the tax pay
ers When taxes are allowed to run several
wears the parties often get where 1t Is I'M
possible to pay them, hence an extra burden
is thrown upon others. For Just so much
money must be paid by some one to main
tain our institutions. Agreeable to our
pledge all taxes have been collected where
collectable or such action brought as will
protect the city.
Last year 10y the most rigid economy, the
rate of taxation was reduced from that of
the preceding year, but in view OF the fact
that the city has lost portion of her income
from the Railroad and Telegraph tax as well
as considerable taxable property, and in adj
dition to this, the large damages by the re-
cent flood, which has entailed heavy eX-
penses, | can see no way to aVold sllght IN
crease in the rate. This will, l believe, be
cheerfully borne, in view of the fact that If
the sale of our railroad stock and the hand
ling OF our indebtness maturing in 1898 is
properly conducted, there will be such q
saving to the city that after '9S the taxation
will be very low.
l would call your attention to the fact
that it is very important that you should
elect Board of Assessors that will not
yield to outside influences. 1t requires
good Judgment, unquestioned integrity and
great stability; to withstand the speclous
arguments, misrepresentation, and some
times wrath of those who are unwilling to
pay their just proportion OF taxes. The
whole system of taxation throughout the
land is unequal. The poor man is taxed for
every dollar. The wealthy escape through
various subterfuges we'll known to all
Should everything else fail, pressure is
brought on the assessors for an abatement,
but | am glad to say ATTACHMENTS have been
the exception and not the rule for the past
year | trust this condition will continue.
While l would levy taxes as nearly equi-
tably as possible l would recommend that
manufacturing interests that are of great
value to the city, by employing labor, dis
bursting money and adding to our taxable
property, be encouraged by a low rate, and
that new concerns be offered every induce
ment consistent to locate in Belfast. We
can well afford to exempt for a term of years
any large industry that will add materially
to our population.
Last year l recommended that our veteran
citizens who are incapacitated from labor by
disease or loss of limbs be relieved from the
burden of poll-tax. l repeat this recon-
mendation, believing it to be but we'll
earned tribute due the defenders of our
country.
THE POOR.
A contract was made last May with Mr..
Hayford for their care for five years at s.,
400 annually BY this contract 5000 is
saved 30 the city from former prices. Our
unfortunate proteges are, | believe, well