Putnam patriot., 1912-11-08

he made his first voyage on a sailing
vessel He remained in the coasting
trade for a number of years visiting
ports In this and South American
countries and the West Indies. When
the Northern Pacific and Canadian
Pacific railroads were built he went
to the Pacific coast and secured EN-
ployment during their construction.
Returning later to Boston he secured
a position at the state insane asylum
at Danvers. While working there he
was taken sick and upon his recovery
went to Boston where he entered the
employ of the Western Union tele-
graph company. Twenty-three years
ago he was sent TO Putnam to have
supervision of the eompany's overland
lines and in Putnam he has since re-
manned.
Mr. MacDonald's first public office
was that of constable to which he
was elected soon after he came here.
He early took an interest in the af-
fairs of the town and became inter
ested in local politics. Two years
after Puntnam became a city he was
elected to the board of aldermen and
has continued member of the board,
as alderman and alderman-at-large
ever since, except for two years. He
was elected mayor of the city In 1909
and again in 1911. the last time being
without any opposition or any candi-
date of any party running against
him which was an unusual honor and
denoted the confidence of the citi-
zens of all parties in his ability and
integrity. AS long as he has served
the city, in whatever capacity. he
has given unsparingly of his time and
energy and has devoted his best
judgement to the problems he has
met His administration as mayor
has been a historic one in the gov
eminent of the city. 1t has been a
progressive one to an unusual degree
and the most important matters since
the organization of the city have been
taken up and successfully consum
mated He early advocated better
streets. sewers and the municipal
ownership of the water works. These
three important measures have been
brought about in a little less than
three years of his administration. The
city now has a fine system of sewers,
better streets. with a steam roller
and stone crusher 10 enable further
extension OF this Improvement, and
has recently taken over the plant OF
the Putnam Water Company The
lighting system has also been greatly
improved and the old unsanitary lock
up done away with and fine police
Headquarters with six steel cells and
two steel cages installed. Mayor
Macdonald has lent his aid in all pub
lie movements for the benefit OF the
city and cleanup week had his imme-
diate and hearty support. The may
or is democratic in his ministrations
OF the cfty's affairs and does not like
titles, ostentation or fuss but good
solid work with results is character.
istic of his management.
Besides serving the city he has
found time to serve the town as well
as for number Of years has been an
active meber OF the school board. He
is affiliated with number of organ
| izations. He il a mason. knight
templar and was for three years mas.
| ter Of Quinebaug lodge. He Is also
past exalted ruler OF Putnam lodge OF
EIks and went TO California as their
representative at the national conyen.
| ton. He Is a member of the Royal
| Arcanum, United Workmen, Odd
Fellows and has been president oil
| the State Firemen's Association. He
| Is married and has four children. two
! boys, one In the Putnam High school
and the other taking an engineering
| course at Valparaiso university. Two
daughters, one In the public school
| and the other. state normal school
| graduate, now a teacher in New Jer
! sey. II is needless to say that the
| interests of Putnam have been in
| trusted to able hands when the citi
/ gems decided 10 send him to the leg
| isIature. as he has been tried and
] never found wanting