The Portland daily press., 1899-03-14

Clerk Noah b. knight. who ADM Mustered
the onth to the aldermen-elect.
1t was then moved that committee OF
two be appointed to wait upon the mayor
elect. Mr.. knight appointed Aldermen
Spear and Scamman fur this duty. and
Hon. E. c. Reynolds soon appeared and
was sworn in by the town clerk.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
Roberts, after which Mayor Reynolds
delivered the following inaugural address
MAYOR REYNoLDS's ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Councils:
The important task devolves upon us
this evening OF inaugurating new sys-
TEN of government for our municipality.
In this we are turning from the accus-
toned ways of our people, changing habits
and methods long held and pursued by
them, and breaking away from traditions
which are respected and doubtless still
believed in by many of our fellow citi
zens. And with whatever of favor or
disfavor the change is viewed by us. the
fact exists that we are entering upon ex'
ueriences to us untried, the results OF
which. anticipate them with confidence as
we do. must of necessity be somewhat
problematical, though happily solved l
believe, II wisdom, conservatism and fair
ness guide our endeavors.
The ancient town of Cape Elizabeth.
orr glnally a part of Falmouth, first settled
in 1880 and Incorporated in 1865, was, in
S95, divided by the legislature of our
state, and its southerly portion contain
ing an estimated population of 7S9 people.
about go polls, and real and personal
estate valued at s4s6, a42 incorporated into
new town, and given with great pro
priety in view of it's geographical posi-
ton, the name of the old town, Cape
Elizabeth.
The northerly portion of the old town,
retaining the original records and mum
ments OF title, and containing at the
time of the division population esti-
mated at over 1850 people, about 1915
polls, and real and personal estate valued
at 81 ,533, SOP became South Portland, the
name which had been given to the post
office in that portion of our then town for
sometime known as South Portland VII.
lage.
4 At the session of the legislature during
which the division of the old town was
accomp ished, an enabling act was passed
authorizing the new town of south Port
land to become a city, when its voters
should so determine, providing 1t should
be done within five years.
At special town meetings held for the
purpose this act was twice rejected, n anne
ly ON February 10th, 1896, and on Febru-
AIRY 10Th, 1897
On December 5th, 1873, however, at a
special town meeting for the purpose
duly called, it was voted to accept the act
of Incorporation. At this meeting while
the vote was not large, 1t was very as
trongly in favor of the city Charter.
1t was by reason of this action OF the
people of the town of South Portland
that our citizens at the annual meeting,
hsld last Mon,iny elected city officers,
under the provisions of that charter, and
nat we are here tonight AS such officers.
10 take the oath of utfice and to assume
the duties ana responsibilities which the
confidence of our fellow citizens has
plHced upon Us.
THE TOWN REPORT FOR 1898
The last report of our town officers must
commend itself to all, not only because
of the exppalIence of its arrangement and
she clearness of its statement, but also
because it shows careful business method
pursued in the management of town
affairs
From this report l take the TO flowing