The Republican journal., 1920-03-18
City Government

The Inauguration exercises of the Bel
fast city government was held at 10 a. m.
March 18th.
The city clerk called the officers-elect
TO order and administered the oath of Of
lice to Mayor C. W. Wescott; Aldermen
H. L. Cooper, V. A. Simmons, D. T. Glenn
ents, w. G. Hatch, and T. S. Thompson:
Councilmen R. H. Howes, ]. P. Sylvester,
II. ). kimball, B. L. Davis, N. M. Staples,
and R. W. Pattershal.
Rev. A. E. Wilson offered drawer after
which Mayor Wescott read his address.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
You are all experienced in the citv's
affairs. You are acquainted with the oh
iects Immediately in sight to be attained.
do not need to enter into discussion of
the duties before US. shall, therefore.
be brief -
There is, however, a certain degree of
enthusiasm and spirit of determination
and earnestness which should. possess
every public official. A public office is a
public trust A careless and Indifferent
representative is the result of a careless
and indifferent constituency. Belfast can
not be accused of that today. It is no
longer political hotbed but city awake
to its interests and its possibilities. It is
for the city council to lead the wav. to
blaze the trail for the realization of those
possibilities; to lead and direct public
foresight and opinion rather than to re-
fleet 1t. Our acts must not be with the
expectation of reward, but with desire
to serve; for in the final analysis of our
motives, acts and doings we shall be re-.
membered and judged. 1t is for the good
OF all and the city as whole that we
must aim. What benefits a part benefits
all; and conversely, what works to the
injury of part Injuries all. "A policy is,
therefore, good or bad according to
whether it benefits or Injuries the greater
number We must not hesitate to be as
revolutionary as progress demands, nor
fail to be as practical and safe as economy
and conservatism require.
A new era has fegun in our city. We
have helped in starting this change and it
devolves upon us to be frank and open at
all times with the people whom we repre-
sent; take them into our confidence and
seek their advice; make them feel they
are part of US, as indeed they are: for we
are merely their servants TO handle thei1
| affairs as we would handle our own.
The advice of the hour from everv
gu rter is more production and greater
economy; more efficiency on the part of
everybody; full days work for full
days pay; indeed, full days work what
ever the pay, for full days work will
always, sooner or later, bring it's reward.
The production of mems hands has been
reduced until there is not enough to 90
around. 1t is the striving of each for all
he would have that is one of the most
potential factors for the high costs we
hear so much about.
Let us then counsel economy, thrift and
saving; versus extravagance and spend
ing; liquidation of standing obligations,
not lncurring of new ones-pay as you
go; denying of ones self a part of the
unnecessaries, not fully indulging every
desire; longer hours, if need be, for work
and production, instead of shorter hours;
and finally, concentration of both mind
and body on the spirit of success; doing
things, accomplishing things for both the
individual and the city. We wish Belfast
to have that degree of efficiency which
Will sustain and bear her successfully
forward on the changing tide Of demand
and supply, which has already reached its
Hood and is on the ebb flow.
We have especially before us the COM
ing year four important major objects;
the building of the bridge; the release or
sale of the railroad; the schoolhouse; and
the proper care of our poor.
wish to call your attention particular
ly to the last. Belfast has been caring for
It's poor Tor many years under the con-
tract system. This is not in harmony
with the spirit of the times nor with the
most advanced principles of humanity.
Our poor are our unfortunates. What
parent will not stand by to the end for
his unfortunate child? Is this moral re
sponsibility then at all relieved from the
duties of a city or town? We have NO
fault to find with the care which our poor
have had under the contract system as
such, but with the system itself
During the recent past the towns of
the county have been invited to Join
with Belfast in the consideration of the
establishment of an almshouse for the
whole county. They were asked to place
an article in their warrants at their re-
spective town meetings authorizing their
selectmen to join with the other towns in
the county and Belfast in the considera-
tion of this subject. We are not yet in
formed of the action taken.
1t County Almshouse can be accom-
pllshed under proper town and city rela-
tIons 1T would be step in the right direc-
ton. 1t is undoubtedly something that
is to be forced upon us in the near future.
do not say we can accomplish the pur-
pose this year, but, if not, we can agitate
and lay the foundation for its later ac-
complishment. Economic conditions and
costs may not warrant it at once, but it
is to come.
Our contract for the care of our poor
expires in May. l do not believe that
contract should be renewed for long
term of years. but do believe that our
city should be ina position to act along
the lines of higher humanity when those
lines can be sufficiently defined to be
made economic and applicable.
There is another feature of our city af-
fairs to which have given thought for
the past two years and which has been
brought forcibly to my attention many
times by various citizens; removing snow
from our sidewalks There is no regu-
larity to the way this is being done or
has been done in the past. 1t is not a
good advertisement for our city for peo-
PIE who visit US during the winter months
to be unable to get over our sidewalks in
satisfactory manner; neither is it salts
factory to our own citizens.
strongly recommend and urge taking