The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-08
ovERsEERs OF THE POOR.
Mr.. Charles S. Fobes Tenders His Resigna-
ton.

The following communication was sent
to the city government yesterday after
noon:
To the Honorable City Council, Portland,
Me-:
Gentlemen: Two years ago, while ab
sent from the city, without my knowl-
edge or consent my name was put III
nomination as member OF the board OF
overseers of Portland. AS soon as l
learned the fact telegraphed the city
clerk to with draw it, as my time was
fully occupied. On my return I found
that the withdrawal had not been made
and that had been elected. My purpose
was to decline the position. At the So
ncitation of some Of the city officials and
other friends | was induced to Withhold
my resignation.
For two years I have given to the
duties of the place such time AS have
been able and have given its business
affairs such Judgment as | possessed.
During these two years much time and
careful attention has been given by the
members of the board to all that pertains
TO the management OF the house, the
hospital and the outside poor, and moth
ing has been done which will not bear
the closest examination.
During the first of these years, how
ever. two of the members were dlssatis-
fed with the actions of their associates
and made frequent use of the columns
of the daily papers to crltlolse what was
done. The fact that the records show
that they were the only ones whose votes
were cast III opposition to any proposed
action shows the practical unanimity of
the board. During the year just closed
there has been but one who has been in
opposition. With this exception all act
ion has been unanimous. This member,
unable to accomplish his plans, found
that his communications, many of them
only partial statements of the facts, were
readily received for publication by some
of our dAilies. Whenever he has been de-
feated no has claimed that he would be
heard through the press and that the
board would hear from the city council.
Communication and editorial have been
given to the pubic, but The board, be-
lieving they had honestly administered
| the affairs entrusted to them, declined to
enter upon newspaper controversy.
| 1t Is with regret that am lead by the
action of your board last evening to the
belief that you accept the version OF
affairs as thus stated, as no other mem
| ber of the board has been consulted. With
this feeling it will be impossible for me
| to consent to serve the city longer.in any
capacity. During my business life I have
held several positions of trust, but never
before have been SO placed that the
holding Of such position carried with it
a reflection upon my business judgment
and mercantile integrity.
| Under these circumstances tender to
your honorable body, my resignation as
member of the board of overseera and
ask that you select some one to fill my
place, in whose judgment and integrity
you have greater confidence and whose
interest in the welfare of our city you
may believe greater Than my own.
shall ask that you fill the vacancy coca.
stoned by this resignation on or before
May 4, 1896, as l shall decline serving
after that date.
| Respectfully yours,
! CHARLES S. FOBES.
| Portland, Me, April z, 1896