The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-03-24
City Government Organized.

The members of the city council elect met
March 2lst at 10 o'clock a. m. The oaths of
Office were administered by M. w. Lord, notary
public Councilman Frank E. Elkins of Ward
2 Republican, was not present.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Arthur G. Roberts,
and the mayor then delivered his address as
follows:
MAYORS ADDRESS
Gentlemen of the City Council:-
Once more We meet to inaugurate City
Government, chosen by our fellow citizens to
handle their municipal affairs through the en-
suing year.
1t affords me considerable pleasure to note
among you so many faces that have become
familiar through our association in city affairs
in the past, and it speaks well for your past
service to note that our citizens have again re-
turned you to still further serve their interests.
Your ability has met the approval of the tax
payers, and for your faithfulness they have
given you their support.
Perhaps no city government has ever been
inaugurated here that will be watched so care
fully by both friends and opponents as the one
about entering upon its duties.
The campaign that terminated in your elec-
ton has been one of the most earnest and
closely fought in the history Of our city. The
issues were not based on criticism of the past
work OF the city government, for our most
OppOLeulS COuiu HHO nOlnlIS III LIe
past years conduct of the city s business that
they dared present to the voters, with expec-
tation that it would influence them to vote
against US.
However bitterly the campaign may have
been fought, it should now be thing of
the past-to be remembered no more-and in
serving our common interests, the interests of
our fellow citizens, it should not matter to any
of you on what ticket you were elected. You
are sent here by your fellow citizens to become
co-workers, each with the other, in carrying
forward the work of municipal government.
To those who come among US for the first
time we bid you welcome, welcome that is
none the less cordial because you may have
been elected by citizens who differ with on
methods of procedure, or because the men
who supported you are not in harmony with US
and the work we have been doing You each
stand here as individual members of this body.
pledged by your oath of Office to work for the
best interests of ALL
l would impress upon your minds-with all
the force of which am capable-that the in
terests of our city should be paramount above
all other interests, and that you should be true
to the trust reposed in you, not forgetting that
any member of this body who shall so far for
get his oath of Office, his duty to his fellow
citizens, as to permit personal or political pref
erences prejudices to influence his action, or
who shall use his public office to further the
private interests of any person or persons
WileIl lnOSe INTERESTS COHlllCl WIN Indt Oh IHe
citizens at large-is not only unworthy of the
trust reposed in him, but is also unworthy a
seat among his peers, in our council.
With the large number of members that
have had former experience in city affairs, and
been returned, l apprehend that we shall pass
into the pathway of duty for 1901 without
friction, and without delay.
We have some quite difficult problems to
solve this year. especially in view of the fact
that there must be large expenditures in some
departments, in addition tc the increasing bur-
den of State and county taxes.
While trust you will be liberal to the extent
of meeting the actual needs of the city, would
also urge that you be conservative, to the ex-
tent of seeing that only such moneys are eX-
pended absolutely necessary to carry on
the good work that has been begun.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
The assets and liabilities of the city are not
subject to any considerable change from year
to year, as our Indebtedness is principally in
the form of bonds The Treasurer's report
shows a cash balance of S19,411.15 as against
Sll, ,4O4.1S one year ago. There is also due
from collectors, So, 1896. .32
AS each municipal year is now closed, by the
city government acting within its limits, the
amount in treasury is available for the coming
year, instead of being depleted by large roll
of accounts handed down from the outgoing
city government as was formerly the case.
The city's net liabilities show a gratifying
decrease through the accumulation of desir-
able city property, the profits from refunding,
etc, and think no business man can dem
onstrate that any portion of the city's business
has TO been conducted on strictly business
principles for the past year, and we trust that
this will be equally as true at the close of the
present year.
Our rate of taxation has been reduced from
$4,000 per thousand to $500 and if we can
succeed in holding it at this comparatively
low fgure-low when the tax rate OF other
shall do remarkably we'll 1t will require con-
servatism in making appropriations to enable
/ US to prevent an increased rate.
HIGHWAYS
Our city is constructing a considerable
section of permanent street every year. We
have equipment for street building unex-
celled in the State, and with this equipment,
intelligently handled, we are building street at
considerable reduction below the cost to
other cities
This crushing plant and the building of mac
adamized road, was strongly antagonized by
many citizens. At first it was believed that
this was done conscientiously, through their
lack of knowledge of its desirabiity, but it is
now believed that this opposition was for po-
htlcal effect almost wholly, and its power to
control votes, having ceased, those who We're
the strongest opponents now acknowledge the
wisdom of those who inaugurated a modern
system of road building.
1t seems evident that the lower bridge will
have to be entirely stripped, down to the cap
timhers on the piles, and if this is true, it will
require a considerable outlay at this point
alone.
The city should in my opinion have city
team for use on the streets, and to handle our
fire engine when needed, and trust that this
city government-notin that Belfast is the
only city in Maine not owning city team
will consider it good business to procure one.
SIDEWALKS.
We have replaced a large amount of plank
sidewalk with crushed rock, which, when prop
erly constructed, has proved to be entirely
satisfactory, and will reduce the cost of main
tenance to a mere fraction of what it has been
in the past.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our fire department is now well equipped,
having large quantity of hose in first class
shape, good fire engine, efficient tremen, and
needs, to bring it up-to- late, small chemical
engine and the use of horses as before stated
l recommend the purchase of both the engine
and horses.
SCHOOLS.
Our educational department shows very
excellent condition, so far as scholarship, and
the work of our teachers is concerned That
we need an up-to-date school building is, and
has been for long time well known, and if
any way can be devised by which the city can
secure such building, on business basis
trust it will be your pleasure to cooperate in