Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-03-13

tbe pleasure Of returning the compile
ment"
The meeting was called to order at 10
o'clock by City Clerk T. r. Hale. Alder
man Mccarthy was elected chairman Of
the board. It was voted to accept the
returns OF the several ward clerks as evil
deuce OF election. The roll was then called,
all the aldermen responding - follows:
Ward 1-Chsrles II. Curtis
Ward q George B. Stuart
Ward 3-Charles Monaghan
Ward 4-Alvin Staples.
Ward 5-Charles e. Alexander.
The retiring mayor, A. q. Hagerthy, was
appointed . committee to escort Mayor
Greedy to the chair. After the mayor had
taken his place, prayer was offered by Rev.
R. B. Mathews, Of the Congregational
church.
The oath Of Office was then administered
.totae mayor and aldermen by City Clerk
Hale.
MAYORS ADDRESS.
Mayor Greedy then addressed the board
as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Board:
You have been chosen to administer the
affairs and perform the various duties apper-
tanning to the government OF the city for the
ensuing year. Our city has not been as pros
porous for some years past As we could have
wished, but there seems dawn OF a brighter
prospect. and it Is incumbent on you as well
IS myself that our actions be such rs to bene-
fit the city in all possible ways.
We cannot expect to satisfy everyone, and
we should be more than human did we not
make some mistakes. II we can satisfy our
selves as to what action Is right and for the
highest welfare OF our city, and act in accord
ance Herewith. we cannot go far wrong. Let
harmony prevail at all our sittings to the end
that better results may be obtained.
FINANCES.
Finances is the most important matter with
which you will have to deal. With finances
at low ebb, a town or city running its affairs
with no curtailment Of expenditures will
sooner or later find itself reduced to repudia-
ton do not mean to say that our city is in
such condition, but l can rightly say that
the city has been spending money too fast for
the good of its financial situation. From
period of reducing its debt it has passed to
period OF increasing it. small debt is not
Objectionable. but running near to the
laws limit should not be tolerated. That the
finances of the city are in a far from salts
factory condition will be seen from the fol-
lowing statement:
The total liabilities of the city as shown by
the finance committee report: For 1903,
sslOss5o; 1904, ss2,sisl2; 1895. ss3,9z35s; 1906,
ss7,724sa; 1907, SIS i0 increase OF liabilities
since 1903, s9,2ss.2s.
We have received from the State and other
sources amounts rs follows: 1908. s6,iii.5s;
1904, s7sS759 1905 s75oi2i; 1905. s7s5a.s2; 1907,
ss29s.99.
We find the assets other than cash in treas
ury reported as follows: 1903, &sa,l5257; 1904,
s2ss75; 1905. s27,47o.s7; 1906. s25,s2s.s7; 1907,
s24,sl4.2s; decrease in assets. s7,45o.sO.
Thus the increase in liabilities and decrease
in assets increase the net city debt, sis,sss.ls
committee for 1907 are the following taxes,
which have been committed to various col
lectors and are now practically uncolleetable,
as the original collectors and their bondsmen
have been discharged. 1ss7-s-s, ss,295.s5; 1895,
ss5sI2; 1896, si.47s.ss; 1897, s1,ias.s7; 1898,
sli5s.so; 1899, ss52.ss 1901, s2,7sa.ss. Total,
sll,7s247
On June 1 next there becomes due sIa,soo of
our funded debt Two ways have been sug-
gested as to the better method for disposal Of
the same-refunding, or issuing in form of
notes. 1t is . matter of reflection for you.
APPROPRIATIONS.
believe that our appropriations should be
sufficient for the needs Of each department
when properly managed, and the expendi-
tures should be kept within the appropria-
lions. Conditions in the city are now such
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