The Republican journal., 1902-03-20
CITY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED

In accordance with the provisions of the
city charter. the Mayor, Aldermen and Com
mon Councilmen-elect met in the city rooms
at 10 O'Clock Monday forenoon, March 18th.
and were sworn by Joseph Williamson,
Esq, Justice of the Peace. The members
of both boards were present, except Coun-
Gilman Lancaster, who was out of town.
Prayer was offered by Rev. G. f. Edgett,
Mayor Small read his annual address. as
follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL: AS
result of the choice of our constituents
we have been elected to our respective Of
fees and are now assembled to organize the
city government for the ensuing year. Few
changes have been made in the personnel of
the council from the preceding year, and
these only at their own request, or on ac-
count of removal from their respective
wards. We thus enter upon our duties with
the experience of the preceding year to aid
us in our deliberations. 1t is to be hoped
that harmony and unanimity will character
ize our work in the future as it has in the
past
FINANCES
The treasurer's report shows the financial
condition of the city to be good, with
balance in the treasury on March 3, 1902 of
S11. .S12.17, or about s., 400 in round numbers
in excess of last year. During the year one
bond of $1,000 of the last issue of Belfast As
has been practically retired by paying the
difference between the purchasing and sell
ing price, saving $40 annual interest until its
maturity, and leSSening the debt of the city
by its face value, at maturity The question
of providing a sinking fund to be applied
to d portion of our earliest maturing bonds
is worthy of your consideration. 1t is hoped
that the appropriations in all departments
will be liberal and that the money will be
judiciously expended
INDUSTRIES.
Our industrial outlook is encouraging for
the coming year. Revival of our shoe and
shpbuilding industries are matters for
congratulation and liberal policy to en-
courage any new industries should be con-
tinued. The advantages of Belfast as a
summer resort should not be lost sight of
and measures to make the most OF our city
in this respect should be encouraged
Ample hotel accommodations are needed
for the many who would make our city
their summer home. A movement in this
direction by our citizens should be started.
SCHOOLS.
The report of the committee leaves little
to be said concerning the schools, which
have been ably conducted during the past
year, and under the same efficient manage
ment good work is to be expected in the
future. The recommendations of the board
are reasonable; and sufficient appropriation
should be placed at their disposal to fully
carry out their plans. We owe heritage
to the rising generation, and what better
can it be than good educational advantages?
THE POOR.
The poor have been cared for in the same
satisfactory manner as usual, and as we'll
AS can be done under the present system.
Ny views upon this subject have undergone
nos 0.nge since last year. The contractor
and OverSeerS have performed their duties
in conscientious and acceptable manner.
SEWERS.
The sewer extension for the past year was
necessarily an expensive piece of work,
both for the city and the contractors, and
to become available a suitable outlet into
tide water will be necessary this year To
carry out the original plan of the engineers
viii require something like 400 feet Of pipe
to reach the channel. This will have to be
properly laid and ballasted to secure per-
weight for the Whole distance will be eXpen-
sive. The best, however, will be the cheap
est in the end, as this work if properly done
will last for long time. To this end it will
be wise to study the conditions to be met
carefully, and il necessary to study the
to be used and construction so that the best
results will be attained for the money eX-
pended.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Six fires have occurred within the hydrant
limits during the year and all have been
ably handled. In Two instances serious
loss has been averted In one, at Odd Eel
lows block, the value of chemical ire eXtin-
guishers, recommended last year, was clear
ly demonstrated. They extinguished fire
on upper floors of the building in places
scarcely accessible by water and with much
less damage than water would have caused.
! wish again to call the attention of our
citizens to the protection afforded by such
apparatus and 70 urge our business men to
adopt them. The chief engineer in his re-
port has made certain recommendations
which are worthy of careful consideration
by the council. think more definite un-
derstandlng should be reached in regard to
the care of the rooms, apparatus and other
property of the department in the city build
ing and that some one be specially charged
with this duty and adequately paid for the
service. | would recommend liberal ap-
preparation in this department and that the
fire apparatus be supplemented by the pur-
chase OF such appliances as are up to date
ana that we are III need OF.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND WALKS.
The highway appropriation of SS.5O0OO
was overdrawn the past year by SS73.S4
largely due to the severe snow storm of
Feb. 1901 and the rain storm of last fall,
which cost the city upwards of S1,50O00
Durlng the year an unusually large amount
of gravel was used upon our streets and
roads, and the investment has been pay
ing one. 1t is to be hoped that the good
work will be continued the coming year
more extensively than ever before. In
some localities notably upon the road from
upper bridge to Citypoint, the railings and
fences need attention, especially the fence
along the railway, which has become de-
cayed and dangerous. Our bridges are in
good condition and will need no extensive
repairs the coming year. The petition for a
| concrete side walk on Main Street from Ma
sonic Temple to the end of the row, which
was received too late to be attended to last
fall, should be considered early this season,
and If built particular attention should be
gwen to the foundation and curb ng in order
to avoid defects which appear in some of
our walks OF earlier construction. | think
1t would be we'll to consider the advisability
OF making an appropriation for, and locat-
ing, section of road under the State Road
Act, this year, and would recommend the
section from the foot of the square to Little
River as the one whereby the greater num-
Der Of people would be benefited
CLAIMS.
Two trivial claims for damages on the
! highways have been settled the past year,
and two cases involving litigation have
been tried, one resulting in favor of the city
and one with an adverse decision. 1t is for
! the council to determine whether the latter
Shall be settled in accordance with the
verdict rendered, or whether steps shall be