Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1910-01-07
Mayor MacDonaId's Inaugural Message.

On our last page will be found May
or MacDonald's Inaugural Address in
full, and deserves, and will receive, a
careful reading by every one. 1t Is a
document a little out Of the ordinary,
and gives promise of drawing atten-
ton and earnest sympathy to the new
administration of the city's interests,
rs outlined by the Mayor. He starts
out by laying down the principles on
which its general affairs are to be ma-
mayed. AS he says, speaking for him.
self and members of the Council;
1.-THE city demands a thoroughly bu-
siness administration, economically
managed, as good business man ma
nages his private business, being ns
careful as II we were working for our
selves and spending our own money
instead of the money of others. by
keeping these sentiments in mind, and
forgetting the fact that we belong to
twoi great political parties, We can then
render good account of our steward
ship
No better foundation than this could
be laid for carrying on the affairs of our
city. Upon this foundation the Mayor
proposes list of measures which he
declares TO be essential to the growth,
prosperity and attractiveness OF our
city.
The first measure he suggests is that
of good public highways. The good
road question is one of the several
highly important measures that are
interesting the entire country, and a
new era of improvement of highways
throughout the land has been started,
and the more that is done In this res
pect the more eager are people who are
benefited, to have the work increased
and bettered, learning, as they have,
that II is rich-paying investment.
The South, with the finest climate
and richest soil for producing wealth,
is awakening TO the fact that Its linz
poyerished and stagnant condition II
owing 10 the lack of good roads, trans
poftation over their miserable excuses
for roads costs ten times more than 1t
would with hard roads. This ehills
ambition and weakens energy, and
no advancement is possible until there
is general system Of hard roads
introdoced-and the work has been
started. IL will inspire the people of
the South with new life, rs 1t does ey-
t4..~ a. f~.r fad
Ne hope the suggestions and admo-
nitions OF the Mayor will be needed,
and a greater interest awakened TO
provide our city with better streets and
sidewalks.
The water supply question Is next
taken up. Two years ago an effort was
made to have a new contract made
with the Putnam Water company. but
the matter was allowed 10 20 ON In the
old form after the filtration plant was
introduced. His suggestion 10 appoint
a special COMMITTEES 10 arrange for hav-
ing a new contract made with the view
of having cheaper water rentals, will
be gratifying to our citizens II II can be
made successful.
The next topic presented Is sewerage.
The citizens have already decided by
vote that they are in favor of sewef-
age system for the city, and went so
far a to employ one Of the best civil
engineers Of the state, 70 lay out suit
able plan to sewer the city, which he
did; his plans are In the eity's possess
sion. as also how the assessment should
be laid for their construction. Perhaps
II the subject Is s&ain taken up for ae-
ton, some plan can be devised, accept
able 10 the voters, that will warrant
their directing The work 70 be started,
50 far al least Is the construction OF
one main sewer. After that the later
ais could Be gradually constructed un-
I'll the enfise was done. The Mayor be-
iieyes that sewering would be paying
Observation-Disclosures with the proper az
Management for paying for lie Sewers
the Lax wysIl not be felt eyea by tie
lnrfsst TAX payers" Ii he can siipw
III detail ho~ this can be done, there
siloaid be no hindrance 70 having The
3 ssss ordered built # ones.