Ellsworth American., 1908-03-11
INAUGURATION.
,,w BOARD OF MAYOR AND
ALDERMEN INSTALLED.
voR sIMoNToN's ADDRESS SHOWS
rvow1EpaE OF cITy's NERDS
MINOR OFFICERS ELECTED.

49, wheels of municipal government for the
'asring wear. Mayor simonton proved an
srcellent presiding officer, and the work
', orgauization moved smoothly.
In his inaugural address, which is
u,;,ted in full below, Mayor Simonton
r.ye evidence OF careful study Of city af-
s,;rs. and showed a grasp OF the existing
aordi,ions which give promise OF an able
adminst ration.
Tho meeting was called to order at 10
o,c,ock by City Clerk Cunningham. AL
aorman Albert r. ockbridge was elected
a..irman Of the board. 1t was voted to
aocent the returns OF the several ward
a,a-ts as evidence OF election. The roll
,as then called, the aldermen responding
as follows
Ward ALBERT F. Stockbridge
Ward . Hollis b. Estey
Ward ira Hagan, jr
Ward Alvin Staples (absenC
Ward 5-Harvard &. Jordan.
George B. Stuart was appointed a COM
mittee to escort Mayor-elect Simonton to
ths chair. and in few words introduced
him. After the mayor had taken his
Mace. prayer WAS offered by Rev. V. F.
Hendee, of the Methodist church.
The oath OF Office was then administered
10 the mayor and aldermen by City Clerk
Cunningham.
MAYORS ADDRESS.
Mayor Simonton then addressed the
board as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Board
II has been established by custom in pre-
vious years that the mayor shall make an
address more or less formal In character at
his entrance upon the duties Of his ONCE.
There are few things, gentlemen, I wish to
call YOUR attention to. In all our delibera-
,ions lets US remember that we should act
not for any particular faction or ward, not
for ourselves or for self aggrandixement, not
for party interest, but first, last and ali the
time for the whole city. It has been the
pleasure of q majority Of the voters 10 dele
gate to us more or less extraordinary pow
ers but we must ever remember that with
those powers go proportionate responsible
ties We must be considerate and ever ready
to hear anosher's opinion or accept another's
advice.
FtNANCES.
The fances OF the city, so far as can learn
from a study OF the city reports, are not
altogether in n satisfactory condition. We
are laboring under the disadvantage OF d con-
Germ doing small business in q large plant.
We have all the machinery and nearly all the
improvements and benefits Of q city OF some
size without having large amount OF taxable
property Is almost imperative to keep all
these things running.
We have two alternatives as a solution OF
our probiem-a rigid economy high tax
rate prefer the former as offering better
inducement for people to improve their
property here and for others to locate their
business enterprises here, and thus In time
come to share and tighten our burdens II
mast necessarily follow that with an increase
IN taxable property there shall be an increase
in valuation and that in turn makes our bur-
den Of taxes lighter. We must use every
means at our command to encourage new in
Gustsies and new enterprises to locate here.
At the next recess meeting OF this board,
gentlemen, I hope to be able to address you
more IN detail upon the actual financial con-
dition Of the city and to recommend more
intelligently what appropriations we deem
necessary. The last city report leaves some
doubt as to Just wha, our resources are for the
neVt three OF four months.
Under this head would suggest for your
consideration matter of considerable i'm
portance. The city needs to adopt more mod
ern, systematic and business-like methods of
bookkeeping. As understand it, al present
the city treasurer's and the tax collectors
books are their own personal property, and as
OF mn rarl
as the books OF any public corporation
should be. You should devise some simple,
uniform and accurate method of bookkeep-
lng Tor the city so that any citizen may at any
time be able to see just what the financial
condition of the city is, how much it is
spending and for what purposes. These
BOOKS should be posted once a month Mt
'east' and kept on tile in the city clerks Office
with mis- own records of the city business.
SCHOOLS. d.
ihe future of the city depends upon the
learning and education OF her youth. The most
valuable asset we have is our young people.
4he city has serious proposition to face
III 'he near future because OF our inadequate
ana Improperly equipped school buildings.
believe in the aggregate that the work done
IN our schools, under adverse conditions, as
II often Is, reflects great deal OF credit upon
our teachers. We cannot give too careful and
painstaking consideration to our schools.
Z" mas been suggested, perhaps wisely, that
We need more skilled supervision and l be-
heVe 1t is painfully true. / want you to give
ehis your careful attention.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The growth Of our public library should be
encouraged as contributing to the welfare of
our eitizers both old and young.
HIGHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS.
II is apparent to all who traverse our country
highways that they greatly need substantial
ana permanent improvements. The ap-
p'oaehes to our city in almost every instance
are narrow, rough and muddy. The increas-
aug frequency Of automobile driving renders
AZ imperative to widen and improve our roads
IN order to safeguard our own citizens and
.ae'r families. large outlay must be made
'a's year upon the only partially outlined