The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-08-20
BeIfdst'S Semi-Centennidl.
ADDRESSES MADE AT A CITIZENS
MEETING IN THE OPERA HOUSE
TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST II, 1903

ney along with the sister clues Oh our
States, and it is appropriate and proper
to celebrate our half century birthday.
Our city has put on gala appearance
such as we have never seen before, ana
we have assembled here this evening to
ipaugurate the celebration by listening
to the excellent music of our band ana
to listen to the speeches which are TO
follow and to felicitate ourselves on our
well being and prosperity as commu,
nifty. We have not in the past advanced
with gigantic strides towards becoming
a metropolis. We can, however, con-
graduate ourselves that while we do
not number many among our citizens
who possess great wealth neither have
we among us many who are III AFFECT
poyertv. Our industries are all flourish
ing. our citizens do not lack for EN-
ployment, and according to the valua-
ton of the State our average wealth.
per capita is larger than that OF any
other city in our State. Belfast has al
WAYS been conservative, perhaps too
much so, but her affairs have always
been handled in business-like manner
and we have made as few mistakes as
any of our sister cities. While not
native of Belfast. from a long residence
here | have become fully identified With
its interests and fully appreciate the
honors at its hands which have been
thrice bestowed During my admins
.tration iii the past | have to the utter
most worked for her advancement ana
well being. and to the remainder OF my
term. officially, shall continue to Go SO.
We have many natural advantages
which should be seized upon ana maze
the most of. and now, at the commence
ment of the new century, ana at the
commencement Of the last hall OF our
.irSt century of existence as city, we
should redouble our efforts TO nave bel
fast take more advanced posl!lon
among the cities of Name, so tlat we
may keep our young men born ana
educated among us at home. and make
It possible at home TO WIN the dlstlhc-
hon which they have heretofore won IN
more inviting fields for their talents. l
10 not propose nor is ii purposed LOT
me to make any extended remarks. VI
the first city government lnaugurated
80 wears ago there remain but two who
were in amy way connected with 1t.
The venerable Dr.. J. G. Brooks, who
was at that time city physician and
afterwards mayor, and MI. Augustus
Perrv. who was first city treasurer and
Who is present here With us. Dr.. BROOKS
at the ace Of = is still in possession OF
his mental faculties and his MIND is as
active and cleta as % years ago. HIS
advice as d tinancieT and i'll city, county
or state matters is eagerly sought, and
is ALWAYS sound ! have a letter from
him in response to an invitation to be
present this evening which | Will read.
BELFAST, Aug. II, 1908.
Hon Elmer Small, Mayor.
Ny Dear Sir: | had the honor TO receive
YOUR invitation 10 be present at the meeting
tonight to celebrate the liftieth anniversary
of the establi >hment Of the city government
of the city of Belfast. .,,
regret that my age and nirmltles Will
forbid me the pleasure OF accepting.
There was no politics in the first election
of city officers, Wings and Democrats joined
in electing a conservative and ecohomiGal
board Of aldermen and councllmen. The
only fear expressed at that time was the
increase Of the expenses.
Wishing the city increased prosperity in
the next Semi-ceutennial period am,
Yours sincerely,
JOHN &. BROOKS.
Mr.. Perry. WHO is here upon the stage
this evening at the age OF IS and almost
81. is still hale and vigorous, and is seen
at his office every day conducting his
business with the same energy and &C
GUldtN WHICH, tIdldCltIILtu iIllil III my
Younger days. MI Perry has kindly
consented to occupy part OF the time
allotted to NE and will make few re-
marks reminiscent OF the first city gov
eminent 30 years ago.
Mr.. Perry's remarks were very brief
and were summarized in The Journal
last week.
f,I1
AS all successful, and therefore we'll
conducted business enterprises regular
" pause in their routine, take account
of stock, compare their situation at the
close of the period with their situat on
at the beginning, and make plans FOL
continuance SO it behoove' munlclpal
ity to occasionally ascertain exactly
what progress it has made and the pros
pect for future improvement. Hence
it is we'll for US, at the close OF our flrst
half century, to consider carefully the
comparative standing of the various
interests and from their growth learn
if possible how the following years can
be made to show greater advance
ment.
At any commemorative meeting II
Belfast. the first feeling must be one
OF ueep ltSltl dIu SlCIV ioon ese INV q ~
sence of him whose labor of love it evel
was to chronicle faithfully and so elab
orately the history of Belfast and whose
words on this occasion would have beer
so interesting and instructive. Who
ever attempts TO fill that vacancy mus
do SO with "A knowledge of incomplete
ness of peri, rmance, it not absolute
failure. That IS certainly the case IN thu
present instance, called to the task witt
no previous fitting and but scanty time
for preparation. Under the clrcum
stances, it is impossible to give NOR
than most cursory sketch OF TIT
gro: til of the city during the half cen
tury whose passage we are here to Oh
serve.
On August Is, 1880, the governor o
Maine approved an act granting CIT.
charter to the town of Belfast, tn
charter to be void if not accepted with
in two Years After much discussion
forand against, on the third OF April
1852, the town voted to accept it, BY {
vote of 314 to 27S. On the second Mon
day in March, 1858, the first election TO
city officers was held. The new cit!
government was inaugurated on Marcl
81. with due ceremony. OF that board
adiudged by their fellows to be mel
best qualified to start the new city OF
a triumphant career, but two remain
full of honored years, still occupying
positions of trust and still filling then