Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-13
Mayor {. |. Jones Takes
the Oath Of Office.
Democrats Vote at Once to
Open a Liquor Agency.
Their First snag Is in the Selection and
Election Of a City Marshal.

Waterville, Me-, March 12-(SpeciaD.
For the first time the members Of the
present city government met in their
official capacity as such Monday morn
ing for the purpose of completing their
Orsaniza ton and becoming established
in their respective offices. The city
council rooms We're crowded to such an
extent that the members Of the two
boards were actually Inconvenience
in the performance of their business.
The meeting was called to order at
lG15 o'clock by Mayor Purinton and the
routine business was promptly trans
acted. On motion of Alderman Barton
the chair appointed a. committee of two
to act as a committee on credentials.
Aldermen Barton and Noyes were APP
pointed and they reported all creden-
tials correct.
A joint session was then in order. AS
the folding doors We're pushed back it
became evident that the board had
elected as their chairman Charles NJ.
Richardson from Ward l. Upon motion
made by Alderman Barton and duly
seconded the mayor appointed two
members of the council to notify the
mayor-elect that the boards were IN
session and awaited his coming to take
the oath of office and thenceforth as
sumo the reins of the city government.
Mayor-elcct Jones was then ushered
in to his chair by Alderman Barton and
Councilman Davidson and an enthu-
siastic and appreciative demonstration.
Upon taking his official position Mayor
Purinton addressed him with these
WORDS: Following the precedent OF my
predecessors in Office l welcome you TO
the chair and turn over to your care
the machinery of the city government.
The oath of office was then admins
tered by the city clerk, John +. Nelson
to Mr.. Jones and likewise to the men,
hers of the board of aldermen in the
customary form.
The new mayor then arose and ad-
dressed the city government and the
citizens of Waterville assembled in the
following concise and well-chosen
words:
Gentlemen of the City Council:
For the 18th time since Waterville be
cnme n CITY the. council selected by the
ballots Of the people has assembled LOT
the express purpose OF organization, anu
the adoption Of plans FOR the carrying on
of the business Of this great corporation.
The ballots cast have expressed 1ull con
fidence in the individuals comprising TINS
body. and in their ability to undertake
and carry to q successful conclusion the
affairs of the city for the present fiscal
year. knowing YOU individually and col
lectiycly. l am fully iy, PersIaded mat 'i'''
I do not deem it advisable or profitable
at this time to submit n lengthy set of
suggestions for your guidance, untii 4
thorough examination OF the various de-
partlnents and financial condition OF the
city has been made it Is absolutely I'M
possible to lay down a complete course CT
action. :.
IL is to be expected that men friendly to
This administration will be chosen, but in
the conducting of the moral. intellectual
and financial affairs of the city, partisan
shin should not enter. AS the many ana
various matters attendant upon a grow
ing municipality present themselves Tor
solution. YOU will, | feel sure, meet them
with a spirit of loyalty to what is best
for all. and with the desire to settle them
right.
We are confronted at the very threshold
Of the fiscal year with serious emergen-
CIV in the school department caused by the
fire of Saturday, the 10th instant which
completely destroyed the beautiful new
South Grammar school building and de-
prived a large number of pupils of
school home.
While your school board and superin-
tendent with commendable promptness
have temporarily provided for these pu-
pills. your first task must be the COM
pleting Of structure so that II Will be
available for the full term of school. if
possible. and my first recommendation
is that we duplicate that building. in the
| main. The superintendent informs me
the structure could not be bettered. Ex-
Mayor Purnton, whose Judgment is con-
ceded to be excellent. informed me upon
r,, xx.sl -
ideal school building and IL we could du-
piicate it with slight change in the con-
struction of the roof. the city could do
no better.
With foundations ready for the super
structure and the plans and specifica tions
already in hand. it is to be hoped that
the structure will be finished in time to
cause no serious interruption of our
i recommend. therefore. that a special
building committee of three be selected at
to be designated by the school ard. and
| one to be chosen from the citizens at
| large. outside of the city council and
| The one thing I must impress upon you
| today Is that there never was a greater
need Of rigid economy in every depart
ment Of the city.
| The very. slight examination of our f.
| TO date reveals the fact that the resources
| OF our present fiscal year have been
| heavily drawn upon. On the March roll
| alone appears more than 5000 of bills
contracted last year. and which should
have been taken care Of by the last adj
ministration.
These bills necessarily cut into your
available resources by just that amount.
In the poor department alone. bills az
sregating quite q respectable sum. which
had been paid by the State and other
towns and the cash entered and the credit
OF that department last year appears upon
| the March roll and becomes n Iia hii;tv
OF this year. Also the proceeds Of a piece
az real estate sold since the present fiscal