Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-19

sistent duties of the high office with
prove myself worthy of their conf
Gencc. l promise you. gentlemen of
the City Council. that you shall have
my cordial support and assistance at
all times in every effort you may make
to promote the best interests of our
city and | nave entire confidence in
your ability and honest purpose 10
make this years administration a sue
cess.
FINANCES.
The financial condition of the city is
the first matter which claims attcn-
ton at the beginning of a new ad-
ministration. The funded debt is
made up as follows. viz: Bonds. 6 per
cert. 5000: bond, per cent, $210.0OO;
bonds. 81 per cent, $40 900: total,
$3.50, 800; bonds maturing this year, Sill
600; temporary loans outstanding (for
good roads,, $4,000.
During the past year the tax cases
against the Edwards Manufacturing
Company were satisfactorily settled
and the temporary loans of $4,000 out
standing at the beginning of the last
1t was deemed inexpcdient to issue the
city bonds authorized for the inn
provemcnt of country roads and Il tenn
porary loan of $4,000 was negotiated
tn cover the expenditure so far made
Under the good roads contract.
City bonds to the amount of 81, 900
which had matured were paid during
the past year.
The S11 900 of bonds maturing this
year should be paid. The policy
ndcpted in 1899 and since continued. OF
paying the debt as it comes due,
should be adhered TO by the present
city government.
Last year the rate of taxation was
reduced from $21.50 to 5000 per $1,000
valuation. This rate is the lowest OF
any that has prevailed in this city for
many years and in addition to this re-
duction the tax on polls was reduced
from $500 70 $500. With wise econ
olny and judiciOus expenditure the rate
can safely be further reduced. | be-
lcve that with a fair valuation Of
property our municipal bills can be
Maid on an assessment of less than 20
mills on the dollar.
saving to every taxpayer. 1t means
more building of homes for good citi-
Zcns. more work for the mechanic
more trade for the merchant q better
market for the farmer. an increase in
business and more money in circula-
| ton for all. 1t means, if continued
| that real estate will he in demand and
| the value of every piece of land will
| be enhanced. AS an important ster
| toward making Augusta buster city
! | advocate lower taxes.
| The success or failure which will
attend this administration will depend
unon the zeal and fidelity shown by
| the several committees of the city gov
| ornment to some extent but to a great
er degree upon the men whom You
shall select to have charge of each de-
| part!ncnt Ability and fitness for the
POSITIONS they are called TO fill should
| lie carefully considered by you who arc
responsible for their selection.
! am pleased to commend the work
| Of tie officials vino have served thc
city the past year.
We have today the best fire depart
mcnt Of any city Of its size in New
| England. Tho many improvements
! thai have been made the past year UNI
| dor Chief Rucllley have greatly in
| creased its efficiency. Its record mas
| never been cXcelled. a total Of 20 ilrts
| have actually been attended by tht
men and teams during the year, where
| r~cnerty valued at $4,000 has been in
| volvrd. The insurance paid was les
| than $40 coo, the smallest sum on rcc-
ord for any ono year. Every ire has
| been confined to the building in Whlcf
it originated The reduction IL inSur'
! ance rates within the conflaGratlGf
| area is largely due to the superior
| condition of the fire department..
| The administration of the police de-
partment under Marshal Donovan haS
won the praise of every citizen VINO
appreciates faithful and efficient ser
y;cn and has received the commcnda'
ton of every visitor to our city.
The work of the highways depart
m"nt is deserving Of especial mehtion
Street Commissioners Mclean ana
| Prescott have made an cnviabic re-
cord. They have a dollars worth al
| work 10 show for every dollar eX-
tCldti
Many permanent improvements nave
| been made. More than mil" 9. con-
| crete sidewalks have III cn built ana q
| third Of Il mile of plank side walk. New
| granolithic Sidewalks 20O0 feet III all
| have been laid on water street.
over Il half mile Of sewers has beer
| constructed, nearly 1900 feet of granite
! curhing have been set and half as
much cOble and block paved gutter has
| been put in.
Commercial. Scwall and Williams
| streets have been macadamized and Il
| half dozen other streets have received
| d gravel surface. Tho total length OF
| city streets macadamiZed and graVeicC
| last year is one mile and 40 feet.
! over 500 feet Of iron fencing was
built at q cost Of thirty cents per rum
ming foot. A building, 4Ox15 feet, was
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