The Portland daily press., 1900-11-16
At Opening Meeting Of the Civic
Club.
Interesting Talk on
Municipal Affairs.
Members Ask Mayor Questions
at Close

In one Of the parlors of the Falmouth
hotel last evening occurred the first meet
ing Of the fall and winter session OF the
Civic club. This meeting was of unusua
Interest as Mayor Robinson had been In
vited to speak on municipal subjects.
There was good attendance and few
gentlemen were also present. Mrs. Ma
B. Jordan, the president, was in the
chair, and In a few words introd uced the
speaker of the evening, explaining tn
purposes OF the Civic club.
"The Civic club is two years DID, she
said, land being Of that age 1t needs fos
tcring care. This is not a club Of women
only. We have many men who are men,
be 6 and.we hope to have more. 1t is
anxious to collect material by study Of
social conditions, and of the proper way
to cooperate with municipal authorities.
1t is a pleasure and satisfaction for the
club that the mayor OF the city is able to
address 1t this evening
Mayor Robinson was greeted with ap-
plause as be stepped forward to speak
his address occupied nearly two hours
and was listened TO with the closest at
tention.
lone in public Office, particularly in
the one that am trying to Ill.," he said,
"soon becomes morbid like a young
physician. he hears very little of
praise ;he hears great deal of complaint
find it is an office of very great an
tiquity and even the derivation of the
term, mayor, throws light on one who
comes into the Office to learn what should
be his experience and perhaps his fate"
Then after skstching the duties OF the
mayor, In early times, the mayor told
how the city government was formed
and how the subordinate city officers ar
elected. He thought the present method
Of elscting the city government in March
was unfortunate. In the joint convention
the mayor Is very much Of q figure head,
as he has no vote unless there is tie.
"I cannot placs my seal OF approval or
of disapproval on matters unless they are
boards" he said. land there are many
cases where the boards take action which,
in 20 my judgment, should be
passed on by the mayor. l claim that
policemen and members of the fra de-
partment should be removed for cause by
the Imayor at will (Applause.)
1t is almost impossible to secure legal
evidence to convict. OCCASIONALLY an
officer Is so bold that citizens will come
forward and testify. But usually the
citizens Is as reoreant as the officer. Lack
of pursuing proper policy in details is
what also causes much of the trouble in
Portland
The mayor said he doubted II there was
any corruption in the matter of con-
tracts in this city. 1t is lack of pursuing
a proper policy in details that causes
much trouble in Portland.
1.-The mayor was thanked by Mrs. Jordan,
In behalf OF the club for his address. Be.
fore the meeting closed few questions
were asked. Mr.. Edward U. Jordan in
quired, If on petition of sixty citizens q
meeting should be called, 1t would
amount to anything.
The mayor replied that 1t could pass
resolutions and concentrate public senti-
ment SO that the city government could
not fail to give 1t notice. But 1t would
not have the same value as did the old
town meeting.
Mr. Zsnas Thompson asked why In the
proposed new city charter the police and
fire department had been treated SO tend
erly.
The mayor replied that this was lone
in order not to imperil the whole charter
by too much time spent In discussing
these subjects.
81 would like to ask II the mayor
favors one board" saids Major s. W.
Thaxter.
"If the people attended to their duties
either form of government would he all
right" answered the mayor. "If they
don't attend to their duties, don't
know what would be best. I have no
fear for one board governmnt If the
right men are in 1t. Nor do have any
fear for two boards II the right men are
in them. The New England people can
govern themselves; that is, the right kind
can.''
DIR. Swasey thought that the reason
citizens were recreant lay in their belief
that they could get no satisfaction If they
did make complaint.
II have no doubt that citizens find that
the heads Of departments pay very little
attention to complaints" said the mayor.
"But citizens should psrseysre in this -
x,.r.s,.--.,.~-