Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-21
ADDRESS OF MAYOR CHAPLIN.


ADDRESS OF MAYOR CHAPLIN.
The inaugural address of Mayor
Chaplin. which was one of the shortest
in the history of the city was as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the City Council:
We have been called together today
to assume the duties and responsible
tiles entrusted to us by our fellow cltl-
zens Let us prove ourselves worthy
of their confidence. 1t becomes my
duty to submit for your consideration
such recommendations as ] feel are
for the best interests of our city. l
shall make this address as brief as
possible AS the annual reports of the
different departments have been sub
mitted and published in the daily
| newspapers, l suggest that you study
| them With much care for it is by these
reports that you can judge what is
necessary and best for the several de
partments for the coming year. / feel
| that it is our first and most important
duty to consider the interests of our
| citizens in regard to the finances of the
| city. These, at the present time, are
| a large amount-about Sl12.O0O-lef'
| over from last year. on account Of
| improvements made on the water
works plant yet it was public nee
essity and could not have been de-
layed any longer with any degree of
safety to our property. These i'm
| provements, will last for many years
and | can see no reason why part of
| u I,.,y wit in
the next few years without any hard
ship to the taxpayers.
] feel that our citizens should greatly
appreciate the fact that they have
been. or in few days, will be released
forever from the liability upon the
bonds for $925,00O issued in aid of the
| Bangor & Piscataquis Railroad. Th!s
brings the city debt below the consti-
| tutional limit and we will be able to
| issue our bonds for 100000. and by so
doing, make the tax rate for this year
much less than it would otherwise De-
| am of the opinion that If we make
| the bonds so that they will fall due at
! the rate of $4,000 each year, the nrSt
| $40, 600 payable in five years. the water
| plant will be able to take care of such
bonds from it's surplus. l would sug-
gest that you make four per cent
bond. which will sell at this time at
| premium. This is a matter of much
| importance to our city and should re-
ceive your careful attention.
After we make provision for the pay
| ment of a part of the water WORKS
debt by the issue of bonds for $4,000,
| then the balance of $4,000 must be
| paid by appropriation and included in
| the amount raised by taxation for the
present municipal year.
The outstanding treasurer's notes for
| SIT 500 can be taken care of by the
| back or unpaid taxes, amounting in all
| to $12137S.63, of this amount the sum
of $79.5i3.36 is due on the tax for 1898
= large amount of which can be col
lected this year.
FINANCIAL STANDING.
| There are outstanding obligations
against the city as follows: Bonds in
aid of the B. & p K. r., due April /.
| 1899, 1925, 900: water works bonds.
| $500. 900; all other bonds. $15O.O00. Inc
r. & p. bonds will be paid when due.
The public demand that you should MOI
| lose sight of the business side of this
municipal corporation. Try to secure
| for every dollar expended dollar
worth. At this time l do not deem 1T
necessary for me to review all OF the
| different departments. ! am of the
/ oninion that money expended for edu-
| cational purposes and on our streets.
! gives as great satisfaction to the ma
iority of taxpayers as any pubic eN-
penditure | do not tend TO convey
! that Won are to be extravaganza nut 10
rive to these departments such imam
cial aid as will be productive OF the
hest results. All other departments
sbopld be given your careful attention
nc well. They have been conducted III
an honorable and business-hke man
nor and most of them have been kept
within the appropriations .'
am of the opinion that bridge
an,,. tho lower end of kenduskeag
a.,,a,,, is a nublic necessity and should
be constructed, when in the judgment
If the taxpayers. the finances 81 the
citv will allow it to be pnllt- nope
however numerous and urgent may be
10 demands upon your time ana at
.a,.;on that the city's interests winch
,an,,;ra vour care will not be over
,onked The affairs of the city are IN
loon h.nds and you are responsible
g., tha wise conduct thereof. Try to
w +ha hest results in all things
lea herewith. We must De
guided by what we believe 10 oe fisht
and devoted to the welfare Oh our city
IN conclusion let me repeat anu nrs
tho necessity of conducting the uuties