Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-15

men and true in its civic life who have
endeaVored to conserve its best inter-
ests faithfully, surrounded by limita-
tons as they We're of size, population
and resources, they have made lasting
and needed improvements from time to
time and have acted wen their part
and hOnorably.
Let us consider these things as We
meet at this time and in this place to
again organize a city government and
1t seems but proper, us we take up
these civic duties, that we express APP,
probation of the confidence that has,
been placed in US by orr fellow citizens
and in return give them o pledge to
continue to conserve the city's best in
terests, by strict attention TO duties. by
endeavorinp to secure the best possible
results from limited funds available
by feariessly upholding the laws. by
working for and cooperating with all
worthy fellow citizens without regard
to party or class. do not feel tompe-
tent at this time nor shall | attempt
more than to suggest for your consid-
Grafton. some of the needs of our city
and it's departments but shall take
them ~ more fully later as occasion
demands 1t is a cause of much graft
fcation to me. and will he of profit to
our city. that so many Of those of ex-
perience and faithful work in former
city councils have been returned.
Gentlemen. we have today each and
all taken a solemn oath to be true to
the obligations which our positions i'm
pose and which should eliminate per
sonal interests, give an honest Judge
ment of facts as thew are seen and
adherence to the best interests OF aur
city
The public wants action not words,
facts not figures and with that in mind
| beg to bring to your attention things
that may seem of minor Importance, to-
be followed bv those more important.
Every man working for the city Is:
its servant and to the city must rem
der an accounting. Your city reports
should be issued before the election.
that the city may judge OF its servants
work. and il is the duty Of every wor-
thy citizens to read these reports care
fully.
Our city year closes on the 31st Of
December and it is to be greatly re-
GREETED. that at this late date in March.
its reports have not yet been issued to
the public. Many cities publish in their
local papore q report of each depart
ment' either monthly or quarterly, the
eyense Is small and the custom is
most excellent one that should arouse
the interest of the public. With this
data at hand your annual report should
CT ri htt
promptly near the beginning of the
year hut that should not be the only
good resulting from such reports pub
lished even quarterly. While | would
not cast any reflections upon the men
who have been in charge of various de-
rartments and believe them absolute
IL honest and that annual reports have
been true statements, so far as they
have gone. for they have been at times
figures rather than full facts Of cur
rent animal expenses Of each depart
ment, az they should be, and for which
they may not be held wholly respor-
sible. A custom that has grown gray
with years. seems to have existed more
or less in some of the departments Of
our city, to put upon succeeding ad-.
ministrations expenses that should
have been fully met. Thus with funds
available for each department reduced
TO the lowest possible point for cur
rent needs. department has often
started with handicap IL did not
seem able or willing to meet and again
figures to pass a part Of what should
be current expenses to its successors,
hence one cannot get q full and fair
understanding of annual current ex-
penses Of such department without
comparins two or more annual reports
If sucl, q custom exists it should DC
discontinued and annual expenses fully
ard fairly met and SO shown in the an
nual REPORTS.
TIN. Tnost important subject requir-
ing our first careful and earnest at
fenfion rs our financial condition, the