Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-12

Dp-N rihGf, lAiS ilt llIIlb lOT eNdlNIlld
ton by which l can give you reliabl,
or specific information. 1 desire t,
say now that l shall insist that a full
and complete report of all our acts. {
full and complete report of everything
done by any city officer. either elected
By the people. or appointed by thi!
body, shall be made at the regular
meeting in January next, and that tht
annual report shall be in the hands o.
the citizens before the middle of Feb
rlary. There is no reason why thi,
should not be done. 1t is something
that our citizens have a right to de.
mand, and if possible it shall be &C,
c0mplishel. l may say generally. the
report shows n decrease in the indebt
cdness of the city for the year to the
amount of S33S33 This is not a large
sum, but it is in the right direction.
The several departments, which have
been treated in former addresses
specifically. l do not care at this time
to definitely state their condition OF
requirements. We may say however
they are in a creditable condition.
de- wish to call your attention to two
departments. in both of which every
man, woman and child of our city is
interested, and in both of which, be-
lieve, there is need Of Improvement;
refer to tho streets and sidewalks, and
to our police Departments.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
Neither our streets or our sidewalks
are in TIE condition we could desire
None Of the cities, and very few towns
in This state nave as few miles Of road
to maintain as do we. only about
twenty-five and with the usual appro-
i.riatiOns Of more than one hundred
dollars per mile. am convinced if We
adept 4 systematic course Of treatment
under proper management. within q
VERY fc,v years We may have the sat
Of knowing We are above the
average Of other municipalities in this
regard. Every department should
have Il system, this department above
any other With II practical road
builder. a man competent to handle
every branch connected With his office
SupcrintCnied ana advised in his work
hv tlc committee, which I shall APP
point. there is 70 reason why great
should rot be made. In
connection with this I desire to recon-
nCnd en- advance Of pay for all men
employed IL this department. except
the head cf the department himself.
make this recommendation because
realize the increase Of living expenses
las been lLrge within the past few
years; and no increase of pay has been
granted to the faithful men who have
worked in this department. l would
rCconme nd Il ten per cent. increase
know this recommendation does not
particularly interest YOU, but l feel that
the street commissioner should under-
.,tdili that it is the desire OF this gov
crnmcnt To endorse ana approve any
act Of his which would bring this
about.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
This is u department in which prop
crty CIV nerS of the city are necessarily
interested. The police stand for good
government and protection of property
ii is, therefore, incumbent upon you q
carefully select mon who, in your
judgment will 50 conduct the affairs
If the department that all OF oul
our citizenship, our wives and daugh-
tcrs. without hindrance and without
fear of anything coming to their eye on
their ear, which might be disagree
abb When we go to our homes al
night we should feel that two efficient
reliable men are at all hours guarding
our property and our lives. In the
Tast I have felt that our night watch
men, whose duties are hard and re-
sponsible and possibly dangerous, were
not receiving a reasonable compensa-
ton for thcir services; I, therefore
recommend that the pay Of the night
Wutchmcn be increased to S2.C0.
in connection with this subject l
have another word to say; dignity in
dress and manner has a greater influ-
,nce upon Il certain class of people
tnal We some times seem 10 realize
SLOUGH hats, ulster coats and rubber
boots DO not command respect from
anvbody Every police officer, when
doing police duty, should be require
TO wear proper uniform, consisting OF
regulation coat and cap, with his badge
of office displayed at all times. Men
VINO are liable to arrest are entitled &c
know whether they are being arrested
10y a proper officer or not. These may
seem trivial matters. but if followed
their effect upon tho community viii
be wholesome. l know no difference
between laws, the fact that law eX-
ists ii sufficient to my mind for its en-
fGrcrmcnt. 50 far as possible | Sh@l
not Kermit n discrimination between
laws or persons to be made. L ar
ready to cooperate with you at a!
times in the enforcement of all laws
therefore, in all matters requiring
notice regulation and control. either
under general law or the ordinances 81
the cily it is required that we SHOULD
exercise. careful consideration, after
wise counsel and. as servants Of tbs
Icolln. see tFttt the will of the people
is obcytd.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The committee Of finance should
carefully consider. study and repor
the necessities of the city. and should
without hesitation recommend such ap'