Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-09

to escort him to the convention room
This was done in a very pretty manner.
The mayor called the joint convention
to order and introduced Rev. r. Jeffer-
son Valentine who offered prayer. City
Clerk f. +. Brown then administered
the oath of office to the members OF
the council This WIS followed by
Mayor Redington's addfess, which was
as follows:
Mayor Rcainsien't Address.
Gentlemen of. the city Council
Z You have been selected by the voters
of your respective wards as their repre-
sentatives To do the business of the city
for the ensuing year. IL lbehooves you 10
be alert painstaking twAtchful and out
spoken in all matters that shall come be-
fore you. Undoubtedly 6aany questions
will arise. upon which An honest differ
ence of opinion will exisG No feelings of
bitterness or prejudice should be allowed
to stand in the way of cool. unimpas-
stoned. careful investigation OF every
subject Deliberation and fair-minded-
ness should govern all your actions. and
satisfactory results will ensuc.
The power is delegated to you by the
people. In your hands is the authority
to raise and expend their money. You
are expected to do it wisely and for the
best good of the people as a whole. No
lavish extravaganza or special favors
should be allowed. The people of this
beautiful city are not mean or parsimo-
NOUS. They desire to he abreast of the
times in all public improvements Ii is
the most beautiful city in the State: pos
sessing the best educational advantages:
by far and away. the most convenient
portation by rail- one being able to come
or go at almost any hour of the day or
night: fine undeveloped swater power in
abundance: Il perfectS system of water
al o,as 4 aI rttx
for business. health. education. religious
ADVANTAGES. scenery and medium taxes.
AS | look at it. no. niu~ardly policy Is
expected or desired. If Improvements
are needed let us make them in a pru-
dent. busineSs-like manner. Every one
appreciates them. How would we feel If
we had no sewers. no electric lights. no
paving? No one regrets the OUTLAY they
cost. After "A matter of public improve
ment is accomplished every one Is
pleased. although at the outset some few
object. IT. is not the cost of taxes that
keep people from making "A place n res
idence, so much as il is the being behind
other places in modern improvements
and advantages. We must keep up with
the times. 1t won't DO to be old-fogyish.
Still. no reckless expenditures should be
permitted. With you, gentlemen, rest
these matters.
As for myself and the position | oe-
cupy, II is my province to preside over
your meetings and assist you in every
way IN my power. AS one of the NUM-
cipal officers. ! enjoy the same privileges
as any one of the body | shall at all
times be glad to take q part in your de-
and shall act on any question
as | consider best for the interests of the
city. truly hope no prejudice or par
tiSanship can have a place in our coun-
ellis. We may not all think alike, but
we can reason together like sensible men
who are put here to do our best. and let
us hope that at the end of our term |;
will be SHOWN that we have acted Judi
ciously and wisely. and that We can re-
tire with the approval of our citizens and
our own conscienceS.
1t is our duty. gentlemen. to aid the
cause of good morals. Now there is an
evil that exists i'm this city as in all 9TH
ers In the State. 1t has been counte-
nanced by both parties. 1t has been en-
the real power in both parties alike 1t
has said who shall be elected. and who
shall not. / refer to the liquor power.
II is the power that dictates caucuses
am not a teetotaler; do not pose as
A Roosevelt. ! believe in a license law.
have no personal feeling against those
who are in the business OF selling liquor
in this city: some of them are acquain-
-ances of mine, and are whole-souled and
to a fault. The dealers have
been allowed all the license they de-
sired. and ] regret that they have car
red the business on as they have the
)aSt year. 1t has been grossly overdOne
out of all reason. No one of any judg-
nent expects the sale of liquors to be en-
rely stopped. No one desires to trouble |
| well-conducted hotel. OF all the colos- |
'al farces of the nineteenth century, the |
.reatest is the so-caffed enforcement of !
he Maine law. The officials do not want |
he sale of liquors stopped. The county |
ioes not want it stopped-it wants the |
'evenue. The courts do not want It |
topped. The lawyers do not want ii |
n such a defiant and open manner as has
,een done in this city for the past year.
he better part of the community demand |
halt. To establish, In Defiance of law.
pen day and night; to cart i'm broad day
ght through Maine street two hayracks
III Of empty barrels at one time. with
he dealers name conspicuous in large
atters-is too bare-faced.
j am under no pledge to enforce the |
aw. but the position occupy as mayor
f the city. compels me to say that if the
eople,N by strong petition to the city
n this matter, and IL the city council
ote to check or regulate this traffic.
m with them. l cannot work unaided.
the city council ignore a petition and
o not care to move in the matter 1t is
OF my fault; but, as said before, I feel
hat the business this past year has been
DO bald-faced. Ostensible drug stores"
beyond the needs of the COM
lunity, have fiourished: money needed
Or the necessarieS of life has been d.
erted. to the detriment of families who
uiISTcu LOT RACK OI IL. 1t rests WIN the
ity. government to say what they desire
this matter.
One other statement in this connection.
Though l do not believe city liquor
eency should be great money-making
ranch of the city, yet where there is
UGH rank outside competition that it
ONES out at the end of the year with a
Ell loss of several hundred dollars. from
pecuniary point of view alone, it is
me to regulate such competition. And
the running of the city agency think
great mistake mas been made this past
ear. Instead of being kept where It now
away from the business streets In IL
,llar on Front street. where ladies end
hers will not go. and remaining open
ally six hours a day; It should be in the
cinity of other places of business.
here one who really needs to purchase
IN feel free to go in. Us into any other
ore. In my Judgment. It should be run.
run at all, by some reputable druggist. {
il was for years some time ago. 1t
'uld be done just as cheaply, and much
tier: 1t would be open all the time. and
observations would be made by out !
ders. as is the case now, when. a person
,cs TO the ''rummery' as ii is called. 1t G
Continued on page 81