Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-21
INAUGURATION.
The New City Government
Gets to Work.
An Admirable Address by Mayor
c. S. Hichborn.
City Officers Elected as Named in
Republican Caucus.


city government which has served for
the past municipal year adjourned sine
die, and the new government was inau-
gurated and transacted large amount
of routine business. There was a good
attendance Of citizens to witness the
Inauguration and to listen to the May
Or's address which wah pronounced by
men who have listened to many such
messages to be a masterpiece of good
sense and conciseness,
The city council assembled at 10
o'clock and after some discussion. Al
derman harrington moved that all or
ders not acted upon be referred to the
next city council.
On motion of Alderman Hall, second
Ell by Alderman Harrington in a few
well chosen words, the gavel which had
been used by the mayor was presented
to him by Clerk Harrington and receiv-
ed with graceful speech Of gratitude
and appreciation.
On motion Of Alderman Hall. the
board of aldermen adjourned sine die.
The members elect then met in the
room Of the common council. the roll
was called. and the several members
duly sworn by the city clerk. The two
branches then met in their separate
rooms and organized for the coming
year. f. c. Harrington was elected
president of the board Of aldermen, and
Geo. A. Coiburn of the common council
while Roland A. Scribner was re.
elected clerk Of the lower branch.
The two branches then met in Joint
convention and Pres. Harrington ap-
pointed a committee consisting of Al
derman Boothby and CounciImen Doe
and Brennan to wait on the MAYOR
elect and inform him that the body
awaited his pleasure. Mayor elect
Hichborn was then escorted to the
room by City Marshal Breen and took
the oath of Office administered by the
city clerk. After prayer was offered
by Rev. c. G. Mosher of the State
street Free Baptist church the mayor
was introduced by Pres. Harrington.
Mayor Hichborn spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Council: Upon your
shoulders and mine there rests a great
responsibility. We have assumed the
management Of tine affairs Of this cor
poration-the City Of Augusta.-with
only our characters as Eond unto the
people for the faithful perft no .e of
this great trust. That we all realize
the sacradness OF our obligations 1 do
not for Il moment doubt. We represent
both political parties, different ma
tionalities. and nearly every line of
business activity. But mere than all,
ard above all. we represent the City Of
Augusta. l urge upon you that what
ever ungenerous spirit may have found
expression in the recent municipal
campaign. be now absolutely forgotten
that Political considerations of every
kind be set entirely asiuc, and remem-
boring only that We have common
heritage and Il common fireside. that
we struggle for the accomplishment of
those purposes which conserve the in
tercsts OF this City aud promote the
welfare Of all it's people.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
During the past six years $685. 200 of
our bonded debt has beer pei not
withstanding that du. ing that time
nearly SIS 900, III outlawed and uncol-
lectable taxes have bean charged Off
In addition to that. we have over $4,000
saved and laid by. in-a emergency
fund. applicable only to the payment of
The funded debt. or the expense of
prosecuting tax claims. No floating
debt has been created in these years.
1t is 4 clear. positive gain Of $74.700. 1t
is doubtful if any Nav England City
can surpass this rec ord.
Money borrowed in anticipa ton of
tax does rot constitute a net debt
and of course is not to be considered in
this connection.
The funded debt now stands at $780,
500 made up as follows to wit:
$500 in s per cent bonds
s22a.'O 90 in 4 per cent bonds.
$4,000 in 81. per cent bonds.
Of this amount there will be due and
payable in this year
$500 6 per cents bonds.
$500 6 per cent bonds overdue since
1899 and not presented and whose
oy nership is unknown.
$4,000 4 per cent bonds
MAX ng s1i 500 which must be provided
for in this fiscal year. have no doubt
you will adhere to the now settled
policy Of paying the debt as 1t natures.
This policy. If persisted in for a few
years. will see our debt reduced to 4
minimum. our burden correspondingly
lessened and our ability, in the same
measure. enlarged.
We have a temporary loan Of s37. 900
against which we have uncollected
taxes Of about twice that amount.
This loan was necessitated chiefly by'
the refusal of the Edwards Mfg. Co..
| to pay their tax. because. as they
claimed. Of excessive valuation.
Because of nhsinterpretation and a
misunderstanding of conditions. what
seemed to many to be an advantageous
ofler of settlement was refused by our
people. The Company entered an ap-
Zeal. ut the March itrm o: the Supreme
Court. and the City. through its attor-
fneys.-the City Solicitor and Messrs
| Synor Is. Snow. Cook and Hutchinson
Of Portland.--has filed its answer, con-
testing the validity Of the appeal. Thu
hearing will be given. probably. at
some time during the summer. Row
long it win be before it Is finally
settled. how settled. and how great will
| be the cost, no man can tell.
TAXATION.
| .rI,~ro ;s % S;,caro apd GROWING hpl;nf