Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-11
Mayor Beane's inaugural.
v Council:

Mayor Beane's Inaugural.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
The limited period and the numer
Gus responsibilities requiring atten-
ton, between the occurrence of our
municipal election and this, the or
ganization of the new municipal gov
eminent, in themselves preclude that
I should, in following the time-honored
custom of addressing your board at
this time, formulate an exhaustive,
definite, or even accurate program for
the guidance of your action or for
the direction of your elaboration.
In fact, in my own judgment, what
ever | may say at this time is of
little value unless it shall appeal to
you as deserving of future recogni-
ton and consideration, and l believe
that the initiation of civic measures
should come not entirely or, in the
greater part even, from the executive
head of the city in the person of the
mayor, but that each member of this
board should, on his own part, apply
himself to a consideration of the city's
needs and requirements and. having
so done, should present to the board
of his own instance, the results of
such consideration. Such, l believe to
he the proper view of our respective
positions. We are all bound by the
same obligation, legal and moral, to
give to the city and its citizens whom
we represent, our time, our abilities.
such as they may be, and our earnest
and sincere effort. We are few
enough in number so that we should
hoUa adx N 70 Of in
dependent activity supplemented and
controlled by the scrutiny and judg-
ment of his associates.
1t has become almost as customary
as this address itself to refer therein
TO the various departments into which
the executive work of the city is di-
vided, but such reference is of little
or no benefit unless the board, by it
self or through its standing commit
tees, takes an active interest in these
departments and exercises an active
control over them. Your duty in this
respect does not end with the election
or appointment of department heads
throughout the municipal year.
Considering briefly the chief divi-
sion OF the city's activities, / would
first call your attention TO the school
department. There is nothing which
/ can add for your information be-
yond what is to be found in the very
complete and Instructive reports as
made in the published city report for
1912. AS / have taken occasion to
state in the past, / consider the high
standard and efficiency of our schools
one of the greatest assets of practical
ValIIa which nj ~ tadaxt
and one which you must maintain.
1t cannot be maintained without more
assistance than has recently been Civ
en-. Those whose duty il is to conduct
this department state that it is abso-
lutely necessary that at least $3.50 in
excess of the appropriations of last
year be granted for the ensuing year.
This amount exceeds one-half mill on
our valuation; the city's borrowing
capacity has been reached for the
present. The question then seems to
be, shall the rate of taxation be in
creased2' A serious question but one
which ii appears TO me may very
likely require an affirmative answer.
A new school building is undoubtedly
very necessary but / cannot see how
this can be obtained other than by
means of an increase in the city debt,
TO whcih | have just referred. / do
ask that each member of this board
familiarize himself with the printed
report of this department, and | wish
every thoughtful citizen would dc
likewise; then We should prepare to
act as We believe is best for the real
and lasting interest of the city. I will
merely add that failure to repair city
property is to my mind the most mis-
taken economy.
Our poor department has shown
marked improvement in two years
many of the items of expense for the
past year enuring to the benefit Of
coming years, much more than to the
year now ended. Here again. however
you face The immediate necessity o.
preservation of property by paintinf
the buildings. An inspection will con
vince any one of you as TO this; alst
as to the need of repairs to this very
City hall, in which we take especia
pride and of which we should tak'
especial care.
In our street department, the detail
of which are misunderstood by man.
and misrepresented by some, ] believ
the work done has been well perform
ed: and here likewise much of tn
work of the past year, has been eithe
TO make permanent Improvement
which Will benefit, without expense
many future years, or TO remedy an
farssen emergencies caused by III