The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-02-10
A Good Record.

| ne Work Oh lHe present CllA govern
ment is practically completed, although
the finance committee now has, and will
continue to have, many details TO arrange
in connection with the refunding of the
P49S, 700 in per cent. bonds due Aug. Is,
1895 Before examining the record made
it NAV be well to state that this city gov
eminent did not enter upon its duties
with any high sounding promises; but
sought, as expressed in Mayor Fletcher's
inaugural, to give the people of Belfast "a
WISE economical and impartial admins
tration of their affairs" The journal of
March Is. 1897, said of the new city gov
ernment
That an exceptionally good board was
elected March Sth none dispute; and the
officers elected Monday will meet with
general approval. Better, however, than
the men themselves is the spirit of justice
to all and loyalty to Belfast which has in
spired every step of the movement from
the preliminary arrangements for caucus
to the Iinal organization of the Municipal
board There may have been, and may
be, errors of Judgment, honest differences
of opinion. but there will be no attempt
10 '|punsh' any one to foment i'll feeling
and strife no eXtravagaut promises or
eXtravagant expenditures. The affairs of
the city will be in the hands of practical
business men, and will be conducted in
practical and bushes ike way.
This was written with full knowledge
Of the men to whom the affairs of the city
had been entrusted, and of the ends they
hal in view. That they have more than
net these expectations will be generally
conceded. Although Mayor Fletcher in
his address advocated liberal appropria-
ton for the construction of sewers and
the continuance Of work on them until
the system is completed, We did not think
1T possible. with the then financial condi-
ton of the city, to make an appropriation
for sewers. Yet large amount Of work
has been done in this direction at a cost
several hundred dollars below the es-
inmates and it Included an important sec
ton Oh Church street. where it was nee
essary &c 60 through solid ledge, and
governments because Of the expense
Nothing was done in 1896, and but little
the year before, in extending the sewer
system-work which should not have
been interrupted, as its completion is
alike demanded for sanitary reasons and
for public convenience.
ta6 1rja
deal of work has been done on the streets
and sidewalks, much of it of a permanent
character. In this connection may be
mentioned the concrete walk on Main
street. the improvement in the grade of
Front street, and the new sidewalk and
railing on Commercial street Many cul-
verts which had been choked up for years,
causing overtiows and creating stagnant
pools by the roadside, have been substan-
italy rebuilt, and the condition of the
streets and sidewalks generally improved
All this work has been thoroughly, faith
fully and economically done
No1 to 90 further into details which
umns from time to time, it may be said
that strict business principles have been
applied in al the departments Of the city
government, with results that must meet
tie approval of every tax payer. There
lave been no extravagant expenditures in
any direction; an increased amount has
beeu secured from the State railroad and
telegraph ak, and quite an amount col
leGted of back taxes that had been re-
garGied as uncollectable
The mos important work done by the
present. city government has been the
refuuding of the S49S, 700 in per cent
bonds which fall due in August next A
gentleman in speaking of these bonds the
other day said that at the time they were
issued he did not think it possible the
city could ever pay them. Yet more than
their face value has been paid in interest
They were sold at a discount, while the
new issue of per cent. bonds which will
replace them commanded a premium and
have been accepted as an investment for
the Massachusetts, savings banks. All the
details of this important transaction have
been given in The Journal as they pro-
crossed; and we will only add now that the
men who carried it through merit a vote
of thanks from their fellow citizens who
will all share in the benefits arising from
it.
The newest trust has taken the biscuit
and the cracker