Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-10
By Mayor Ski|in and
Board Of Aldermen.
Able Address and Pertinent
Recommendations Made.
The City Officials Elected and Sal.
aries Fixed For the Year.

The mayor and board of aldermen
elect were inaugurated at City hall
yesterday morning at o'clock. Those
present: Mayor D. c. Skillin presid-
ing, Aldermen r. G. Stickney, A. w
Pickard, Fred Olsen, A. r. Longfellow
J. f. Earney, w. f. Johnson and l.. r.
Grimes. f. NJ. Henderson was elected
city clerk for the ensuing year. The
mayors address was as follows:
Gentlemen of the board of aldermen:
My address will be brief and 1 trust
to the point. We have been elected to
our respective offices by a majority
vote Of our constituents, expressing
thereby their confidence in our ability
to administer the affairs of our city.
Let us then, be deligent and faithful
in the discharge of all our duties. Let
us carefully investigate every PROPOSE
ton that is presented to us for our
action, that our final verdict may be
for the best and highest good of all our
citizens and a credit to our judgment
and ability. 1t is fortunate for us that
so many of the members of this city
government have had experience in the
work upon which we are now entering
y
and not found wanting in the esti-
nation of our citizens. I have not had
the time as yet to make a thorough
examination of the needs of the differ
ent departments so as to make definite
recommendations to you at this time,
but shall give them. more attention
later. Therefore, what l say at this
time will be in the way of suggestions
for our future discussion and consid-
Grafton.
The report of our treasurer which
you have before you indicates an ex-
cess of liabilities amounting to $780,
S69.S1 an increase of $9To.37 for the
year ending December 81, 1907. | am
informed that all bills were paid as
presented instead of allowing some of
them to be carried into the next year
as has been a custom in many former
administrations, therefore we are actu-
ally in about the same financial Condi-
ton as last year.
The past year has been an unusual
one in the poor department; also IN
the insane department and the eX-
penses have been very large. l think
this department has been managed by
the overseers Of the poor as economi-
cally as possible. They cannot control
the conditions, but must meet them as
they present themselves.
In making your appropriations IL
would seem to be Il good business pro-
position that each department be al
lowed sufficient money to properly care
for them and not draw on the contin-
gent fund for payment of any bills that
properly belong to any particular de-
partment. Our tax rate has been two
per- cent. for several years and 1t
should be our earnest endeaVor not 10
increase that rate this year
have only words of praise FOR the
good work that has been accomplished
during the past year on our highways
and sidewalks by Mr.. Burns, our street
commissioner under the direction e.
the committee on highways and l con-
slider ourselves fortunate that the work
for the ensuing year will be in charge
of the same competent directors. L
shall recommend that the approprla-
ton required by law to secure the
State aid for building the State ROAD
be made and would suggest that 1t "e
exnended on the business section OF
Water street.
I shall be ready to cooperate with
Won TO the end that the laws shall De
enforced without fear or favor. Inc
past year has shown that the places
of business can be closed on the SAB
hath and 1 shall use my influence that
this good custom shall prevail in the
future.
/ ! IF these is any special significance
in the result of the election whicn mas
lust taken place. it is that the people
Of our city demand good government
and the enforcement of the laws.
The condition of our fire department
/, 10, .lAjs.sats IL Ei..ziI