The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-01-11
street was burned Dec. 18th. Most of the
furniture, ETC., was saved. The loss was
estimated at 5000; insured.

furniture, etc., was saved. The loss was
estimated at 5000; insured.
CITY MATTERS.
The administration of city affairs con-
tinued under practically the same manage
ment as in 1898, Clarence o. Poor, for
merly Alderman from Ward 1, and chair
man of the Finance Committee, succeeding
John M. Fletcher as Mayor at the March
election. A citizens caucus nominated
Sewall B. Fletcher for Mayor, but he
received only 81 votes in total OF 1896.
There was NO opposition on ward officers,
and but few changes from the Board OF
the previous year. A new office, that of
Auditor, was created, and Frank r. Wood
cock was elected. The total appropria-
tions were $3S, 600 against $41, 600 in 1898,
and the tax rate was reduced from is IL
mills to II mills. The sewer system was
extended 1856 feet at cost of about ST.
600. An addition of 3 acre was made TO
the Head of the Tide cemetery. The
lower bridge was given general repairs
during the summer, the draw rebuilt and
the frame and planlSiDg in other parts re-
placed. The upper bridge was improved
by grading and widening the approach to
the western end, and by general over
hauling. New concrete walk was laid on
Main street between High and Washington.
The hearse was sold by the city to James
F. Fernald, and thus became private in
stead of city property. New sleds for the
fire department apparatus was provided
last winter. During the epidemic of
small pox in the State in January the city
physician vaccinated all citizens free of
charge.
THE SCHOOLS.
The Belfast schools have been kept up
to their usual excellence in all respects,
and advance made in some particulars.
Extensive and much Eeeded repairs were
made to the South Primary building, in
Guiding excavatiDg for the cellar, new Gel
lar wall, new furnace to take the place of
the stoves, improved ventilation and
plumbing, etc. A new platform was built
at the High school building. Two school
houses IN which the schools were perma-
nently discontinued were sold, the Per-
kins and Hassell school houses. A school
for delinquent pupils in the primary and
grammar grades was conducted during
! the summer vacation. There were 40
pupils, and good results were reported.
The sum of SO, 093. 50 was received from
the State school fund against IS, 055. 9S in
1898. There was gain in pupils from l
! was organized and four young ladies are
now in training tor practical work in the
school room. Changes were made in the
text books in adopting the Normal Speller
and the Collier & Daniel method in Latin.
A few maps globe and other accessories
we've added. Several changes were made
in the force of teachers in the lower grades
and rural schools. The teachers organic
ed a society called the Belfast Teachers
Club, for Improvement and mental culture,
and arranged for a course OF lectures to be
given in the High school room. The
first was given Nov. "a, by Rev, W. II
Woude of Castine on 'Johu Ruskin and
his mission and the second Dec. Is, by
Rev. j. NJ. Leighton on ''Books and their
uses" The course will be continued
through the winter.
A class of 10 graduated from the High
school, one of largest in the history of the
school. The exercises were in Belfast
Opera House, June 10th. The Belfast
Band was in attendance. The Baccalau-
reate sermon was at the Unitarian church
by Rev. j. NJ. Leighton.
The School Committee organized for
the year by choice of W. Il. Howard as
chairman. In August Mr.. Howard re-
signed from the committee and was elect
ed principal of the High school, to sue
coed H. d. Mcclellan. Chas A. Pilsbury
was then elected Chairman, aud the City
Council filled the vacancy on the Board
| by electing Chas. II. Twombly.
THE CHURCHES
There were few changes or important
events in the churches during the year.
Rev. Il. L. Capen continued as pastor of
the Baptist church. The meetings We're
well attended and all the departments of
church work, and the work of the auxii
airy societies, prospered. The church has
a young meL's society and home Sun
day scheo! department. The music is by
IA Quartette at the morning service and by
a large chorus in the evening" with Z. S.
Pitcher, leader.
Rev. FIR. Kealy held services on alter
, nate Sundays at st. Francis Catholic
church in this city and in Nassa boro,
with special services on Easter Sunday.
The 40 hours devotion was held at the
Christmas season.
The North church, Congregational,
prOspered under the pastorate of Rev.
George S. Mills. The Waldo County Con-
ference met in this church June 18th and
10th. The meetings during the year were
well attended, not only the preaching SER
WIS puo INV AdhNap oC1ool olHol
services. The music is by choir and
chorus, led by c. NJ. Craig.
At the meeting of the East Maine Meth
odist Episcopal Conference in May Rev.
G. G. Winslow, pastor in Belfast, was elect
ed field agent of the E. M. C. Seminary and
Rev. G. E. Edgett was assigned to the
Belfast church. There has been an increase
in the average attendance at all the servi-
ces The pastor has also preached in East
Belfast, Poors Mills, and other places oc-
| casionaly on Sunday afternoons. The
church voted to entertain the East Maine
Conference next May.
The Universalists had profitable year
with Rev Ashley A. Smith as pastor
The meetings were well attended and the
interest in all departments vel sustain
cd. The Sunday school and Young Peo-
pies Christian Union had a successful
year.
Rev. J. M. Leighton. pastor of the Uni
tartan church, gave many dscourses of
marked ability and his labors have been