USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 14
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The first question that presented itself to the Committee was on what terms can the Town be accommodated with a convenient building for holding its meetings? One building only was offered likely to answer the purpose, and on such terms as to meet the approbation of the Town ; viz., the Conference House.2 A Com- mittee appointed by the proprietors of that building have stated that they will accommodate the Town the remainder of the year 1823, for the sum of twenty dollars, it being understood that the
1 Town records.
2 The Conference House was situated just above the house of Hon. R. C. Johnson. It was occupied by the Congregational Society for public worship from 1822 until the completion of the North Church, ten years afterwards. It was subsequently removed to Front Street, then to Farrow's Wharf, and perished in the fire which consumed the Belfast Foundery, June 24, 1851.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Town is to pay damage for breaking and cutting seats, and all other damages the house may sustain by the holding of any town meeting. And this Committee give it as their opinion, not being authorized to contract beyond the present year, that the Town may be accommodated a number of years for the annual sum of Forty dollars.
The question of procuring a site and building a town-house next presents itself ; and your Committee have thought proper to avail themselves of the labors of Committees heretofore performed, and whose reports are filed in the Clerk's office. And to use the language of a report dated April 23, 1821, " It is a favorite idea of the people of the Town at some future time to procure the session of the courts in this place. But this idea will hardly be realized, unless the Town at its own expense shall provide some suitable place for holding the courts, and your Committee are of opinion that a town-house could be constructed in an economical manner well suited to both purposes." This " favorite idea of the people " seems to have become more and more the people's favorite since the making of that report; and it is deemed, by all reflecting men, an important object to be attained by the Town. Two pieces of land only have been offered for a site: the first by John S. Kimball, Esq., situate on Bridge Street, adjoining the land of Colonel D. Lane, and nearly opposite the house of Nathaniel Holden, containing half an acre, for the sum of three hundred dollars, payable at the pleasure of the Town within three years, with interest. This proposal your Committee submit without remark. The other offer was by Captain Robert Miller, of thirty-two rods of land situated on Spring Street, and directly above the parcel of land purchased by subscription for a town common, for the sum of three hundred dollars, and to receive the Town's right to the fish-weir in part pay, at the sum of one hundred dollars, and to give a credit, with interest, of three years for the remaining two hundred dollars. This proposal your Committee recommend to the acceptance of the Town. Perhaps it would be well briefly to state the reasons which influenced your Committee to this advice.
In deciding a question so important to the Town as the location of a building to serve the double purpose of a town-hall and court- house, and which is to remain a durable monument of the taste, foresight, and judgment of its founders, we could not but look beyond the present time, and, while consulting present convenience and economy, endeavor to secure the favorable decision of pos-
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terity in a building which shall be a lasting ornament and honor to the Town.
Another reason, which should have its full weight with your Committee and with the Town, is the expression of the opinion of a large portion of our fellow-townsmen in favor of the site selected, by their subscription of the sum of four hundred dollars as a present to the Town in land for a common, as an inducement to the Town to procure the site.
It appears by the report from which we have made an extract, that the plan reported by that committee for a town-house was sixty feet long, thirty-six feet wide, and one story bigh, with posts fifteen feet long, and the expense of such a building was estimated at $950. A second report, made on the ninth day of September, 1822, recommends a building fifty-six feet long, forty feet wide, and one story high, and estimates the cost, without finishing the inside, at $1,000. Neither of these plans meet the approbation of your Committee. The very trifling difference in the cost of building, whether it be fifteen or twenty feet high, and in a town like this, where a public and commodious hall is much wanted, and can be rented for at least fifty dollars a year, induces us to recommend to the Town that when it does build, to build by all means two stories high, and we would recommend the following dimensions, viz., sixty feet long, forty feet wide, and twenty-one feet high ; and allowing the former estimates, of which we avail ourselves, to be correct, this building can be erected and finished, all but the inside, for $1,250, and the upper story can be finished, so as to command the rent of $50 per annum, for the sum of $250, making the whole expense of the building $1,500, and leaving the basement story unfinished. Your Committee are authorized to state that, should the Town purchase the site of Captain Robert Miller, and build the house in 1824, the sum of $500 will be loaned to the Town at six per cent, redeemable at any period within three years at the pleasure of the Town. Your Committee would recommend that an agent be appointed to close the bargain with Captain Miller. All which is respectfully submitted.
PHILIP MORRILL, WILLIAM AVERY, L' Committee.
Upon the foregoing report, it was voted "to accept so much thereof as embraces Captain Robert Miller's proposition ; " and " to build next year the town-house, according to the plan submitted to-day, and that it be built of brick, with suitable underpinning."
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Voted, " that Philip Morrill be the town's agent to make in the name of the town, and to receive, all necessary conveyances as embraced in the foregoing votes."
At the following spring meeting, the building committee were authorized to increase the proposed height of the building, and voted "to accommodate the Masonic Society by permitting the upper story or garret of the town-house to be finished for their use." The sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 1 was appropriated for the new edifice, which was completed the next year. The first town-meeting was held in the town-hall March 28, 1825. It was voted, in case the proposed county should be established at the next session of the Legislature, " to furnish and prepare the town-house for the use of the courts, at the expense of the town, and that the treasurer is authorized to convey to said county so much of said building as may be required, so long as the same is used for the purpose, and also the right to erect fire-proof apart- ments in the basement." As stated in the chapter on Law and the Courts, this was done two years afterwards, six hundred dollars having been voted for finishing the second story. The lower story being at the disposal of the county for the public offices, no effort to finish the interior was made ; and in its rough condition the room was used for town meetings, until they were superseded by the city organization in 1853.
The practice of selling paupers at auction to the lowest bidder obtained in Belfast for many years. It was the custom to dispose of each one separately, like a slave; and the sum received was proportioned to the ability of the unfortunate person to labor. In 1813, the overseers of the poor were instructed "to dispose of the paupers who may become chargeable on the best and cheapest terms possible, till the next annual meeting, and then in said meeting to dispose of said paupers at auction to such as will keep them for the least sum per week." Thus, the question was who would take old Samuel Long for the smallest sum. There was a little work yet left in his aged bones ; and, in the language of the record, " he was put up, and struck off to Andrew Ward for one dollar and fifty cents per week." Families were divided, precisely as in a slave mart. At the same meeting, it was "voted to sell Mrs. Bagley's two children at auction." Accordingly, they were put up; and the girl was struck off to Samuel Butman at four shillings per week. The boy was struck off to Nathaniel
1 The whole cost was $3,474.41. Town papers.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Eells at five shillings and ninepence per week. Samuel Long proved more profitable than was anticipated; for in 1818 his price declined to " eight shillings and ninepence per week, except physic." 1
Although in 1803 two pounds were built, at an expense of sixteen dollars each, the interests of the western side soon required additional facilities for securing stray beasts ; and in 1812 a lot of land forty feet square, on the Northport road, at the corner of Allyn Street, was purchased for the purpose, of John Huse, for the consideration of fifty-four dollars. During the same year, James Curtis, of Camden, contracted for the erection of a stone pound on the lot, "forty feet square, measuring from the outside of the walls at the foundation; the foundation to be five feet thick at base, two and a half feet at the top, and eight feet high ; the top of the wall to have cap-pieces of sound pine timber, fifteen inches wide at bottom, framed at the corners; the gate to be strong and suitable, of timber, with a double bolted padlock ; the builder to receive one hundred and fifty dollars." 2 This pound was demolished in 1853, having been used over forty years.
At the spring meeting in 1820, fifty dollars were voted for ringing the new meeting-house bell, which had been purchased the previous season. With the exception of one or two years, a similar appropriation has since been annually made. In 1819, the town refused " to raise any money for purchasing a bell."
Until 1823, town meetings were held alternately on each side of the river. "The annual meeting here on the 9th," says the " Hancock Gazette" of Sept. 11, 1822, " was thinly attended, ow- ing to its being held in the east meeting-house." The vote was fifty less than at the preceding gubernatorial election. So rapidly had the village increased, that all future meetings were held on the western side : in the Conference House in 1823; in the academy, the following year ; and in the town-hall from 1826 to 1853.8
The annexation of a portion of Belfast to Waldo Plantation, or of Waldo to Belfast, was for many years a favorite project with the people at the northern section of the town. In 1827, Robert B. Cochran and others petitioned the Legislature to constitute a part of Belfast, including the Head of the Tide and the whole of Waldo, into a separate town.4 Belfast remonstrated, and the
1 Town records. 2 Original contract.
8 Town records. Warrants were posted at both meeting-houses until 1823.
4 Belfast Gazette, Nov. 8, 1826.
10
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
petitioners had leave to withdraw. During the following Decem- ber, John Angier, John Wilson, William Crosby, Peter Rowe, and Alfred Johnson, Jr., were chosen a committee of conference with the authorities of Waldo upon the subject of annexing it. Nothing resulted from the conference, and the project of the previous year was again unsuccessfully introduced before the Legislature, upon the application of Thomas Cunningham and one hundred and eight others.1 It was revived in 1845. Belfast appointed Alfred Johnson, N. M. Lowney, Hiram O. Alden, James P. White, Charles Moore, Salathiel Nickerson, and Edwin C. Kimball to. investigate the matter. It is believed that these gentlemen advised the erection of Waldo into a town by itself, which was done by the Legislature of that year.2
At the request of Arvida Hayford and others, the town voted in 1836 to purchase a town clock, to be placed in the tower of the Unitarian Church, under the direction of the select- men.8 Messrs. Timothy Chase and P. P. Quimby were employed to manufacture it, and on the third day of October of that year it was put into operation. The works were built at the Head of the Tide, at a machine-shop, where the foundery now stands. The front dial was made when the church was finished.
In January, 1837, a citizens' watch was established in the village, and maintained during the winter. Each patrol consisted of five men and a captain, who served for a single night during the season.
It was the aim and pride of General Jackson, upon retiring from the Presidency, to leave the nation free from debt. Not only were his wishes accomplished, but during the last year of his second term, which expired in 1837, a surplus of public money had accumulated in the United States Treasury. The disposition
1 Waldo Democrat.
2 Waldo was originally called " Three Mile Square," until Oct. 2, 1820, when, at a meeting of the inhabitants, the present name was adopted. It was first settled in 1806, by Jonathan Thurston, of Belfast, who made a clearing where Hall Clements resides. The tract, then containing six thousand acres, was set off that year, on an execution in favor of Sarah Waldo, administratrix of the estate of Samuel Waldo, of Portland, and appraised at $8,000 by Robert Honston, James Nesmith, and Daniel Clary, of Belfast. It was surveyed into lots in 1809, and was organized for plantation purposes in 1821. In 1824, five thousand acres from Swanville were annexed to it. A gore of abont one hundred and fifty acres, adjoining Knox, became a part of the plantation in 1836. Coolidge and Mansfield's N. E., 334.
8 The first town clock introduced into Maine was placed on the First Parish Church, Portland, in 1801. Willis's History of Portland, 654.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
of this excess became an important question of discussion, which Congress terminated by the State Deposit Act of 1836, providing that the surplus above five millions should be apportioned among the different States, to be refunded whenever called for.1 The Legislature of Maine passed an act accepting the share to which Maine was entitled. On the 5th of March, 1837, the governor approved a bill authorizing it to be deposited with the several towns in proportion to their population, on condition that it should be returned, if required by Congress, within sixty days after notice. Selectmen were authorized to cause a new census to be taken of all the inhabitants belonging to their respective towns on the 1st of March, exclusive of foreigners not naturalized, who had not resided in the State four years.2 Isaac Allard was selected to take the census of Belfast. He found the whole number to be 3,908. The town voted, on the 17th of April, to distribute its share per capita, according to the census. Under this arrange- ment, each person received $3.33. The distribution commenced on the 19th of June. At the same meeting, it was voted that William Salmond be appointed the agent of the town, to demand and receive from the Treasurer of State the share of the surplus revenue. A bond of twenty thousand dollars was required, that he would distribute the money according to the vote of the town. June 12, 1837, the town voted to accept a proposition made by the Waldo Bank, to cash the check of Asa Redington, State Treasurer, given to William Salmond for $5,225.52, being a share of the surplus, by paying one-fourth part in specie and the remainder in bills current in Belfast and Boston. It was also voted "that the expenses of taking the census and distributing the surplus revenue, and incidental expenses of the same, be paid out of the fund." 3 But three instalments were received. The financial reverses of 1837 prevented any further " surplus revenue " from accumulating in the national treasury.
As the village of West Prospect increased, measures were taken for a new municipal organization. In 1820, E. K. Smart and one hundred and sixty-two others petitioned the Legislature to divide the town of Prospect, and incorporate a new town, to be called Maineport. Mark Blaisdell, Philip Gilkey, Shepherd Blanchard, Benjamin Young, and others, at the same time asked
1 Benton's Thirty Years' View. 2 Acts and Resolves of Maine.
8 Town records. For taking the census, and expenses, Mr. Allard received $57.80. For distributing the money, Mr. Salmond's compensation was two hundred dollars.
1
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
" that the section of Belfast in which they reside, commencing on the bay, at the west line of Joseph Houston's shore lot, and thence running northerly to Swanville line, may be set off and annexed to said Maineport."1 The measure did not succeed. It was revived in 1844; and at a special meeting, held January 22, Thomas Mar- shall, R. C. Johnson, Peter Rowe, James M'Crillis, and B. F. Blackstone were chosen a committee "to remonstrate against the division of the town." Charles Gordon was chosen a special agent to go to Augusta for the same purpose.2 A reference to the next Legislature was ordered; and in January, 1845, the committee on division of towns introduced a bill to incorporate Searsport. Mr. Bean, the representative from Belfast, moved an amendment, striking out the territory which was proposed to be taken from his town. A debate followed, which was participated in by Phinehas Barnes of Portland, Judge Allen of Alfred, and Mr. Bean. The latter stated that a majority of the inhabitants in two of the school districts, which fell within the limits of the contem- plated town, were opposed to the change. The bill finally passed both branches, and took effect February 13.8 By its provisions, " all that part of Belfast lying easterly of the western line of school district number twelve, and of the western lines of lots numbered two, eleven, and twenty-three, in school district number eighteen, and lots numbered twenty-three, thirty-three, and fifty- two in the northern or border division of half lots, according to the plan of Alexander Clark and Robert Houston," was set off,4 as is stated in the first chapter of this work.
The inhabitants of Searsport were holden to pay all arrearages of taxes which had been legally assessed upon them by the two towns of which it formed a part, to pay their share of the debt due from Belfast, and to receive all debts and taxes due to said town, in proportion that the last valuation of that part of Belfast included in Searsport bore to the valuation of Belfast. Searsport was also holden to contribute towards the support of paupers in the same proportion. The entire public property owned by Bel- fast was to be retained by that town.
In 1850, the number of voters in town was nearly a thousand. At annual meetings much confusion prevailed, and important mat- ters were voted upon without consideration or understanding of their merits or demerits. When party politics ruled most power-
1 Republican Journal, Oct. 28, 1829.
8 Waldo Signal, Feb. 13, 1845.
2 Town records.
4 Acts and Resolves of Maine, 1845.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
fully, roads and bridges, which the public interest did not require, were granted to reward or to please partisans. The police system was defective, and more strenuous measures than could be afforded under a town government were required to suppress disorders and punish offenders. A strong practical exhibition of the neces- sity of a city charter was given at the spring meeting this year, which was disorderly and almost riotous. An article which was then for the first time submitted to the people, "to see if the town would apply for a city charter," was decided in the affirma- tive by a large majority. Messrs. Ralph C. Johnson, Hugh J. Anderson, William G. Crosby, James P. White, and Thomas Marshall were chosen a committee "to make an examination of the town accounts, and ascertain the actual expenses of the town for five years last past, and to make all necessary inquiries as to the city governments in this State, and to draw a city charter, and petition the Legislature to enact the same, and to make a full report of all the information required to the town in September next."1 The committee reported on the 25th of November a charter which had been enacted as prepared by them, and also the information desired at the previous meeting. One paragraph of their report is as follows: " From the limited inquiries which your committee have been able to make as to the city govern- ments in this State, they come to the conclusion that the expenses of a city government are not necessarily higher than a town organization. Either may be managed with economy or expen- sively, yet it is believed that a city government has generally a tendency to run into a more expensive system, and a more efficient government." It was voted to accept this report, and that the selectmen be directed to procure eight hundred copies printed, and of the city charter accompanying it, for public distribution.2
The charter was approved by the governor Aug. 17, 1850. It was to be void, unless accepted within two years from the date of its passage ; but not more than one vote on its acceptance could be called in the same year. In the spring of 1852, a large petition was presented to the selectmen, asking them to call a meeting to act upon the question. A meeting was accordingly held on the 3d of April in that year, when the vote stood : for acceptance, three hundred and fourteen ; opposition, two hun-
1 Town records.
2 Printed Report.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
dred and seventy-eight.1 The result was celebrated by the ring- ing of bells and other demonstrations of rejoicing.
On the 25th of the following December, a town meeting was held, to consider the expediency of asking the Legislature to revoke the city charter. The meeting was fully attended, and resulted in a marked and decided expression of dissent to any such proceeding.2
1 Town records.
2 State Signal, Dec. 30, 1852.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER X.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY: CONCLUDED.
Belfast as a City. - Division into Wards. - First Charter Election. - The New Gov- ernment. - Organization of Departments. - Economy. - Liabilities. - Government Rooms. - Salaries. - Corporation Seal. - Street Signs. - Police Court. - School Districts renumbered. - Project for City Building. - Highway Taxes. - Old Sys- tem resumed. - City Farm. - Paupers. - Land Bill. - Chief of Police. - Ordinance concerning Snow-slides. - Taxing Dogs. - Charter and Ordinances printed. - Watch. - Lock-up. - Street Lamps. - City Marshal.
Bł Y the city charter, the selectmen were required to divide the town into five wards, and to issue warrants for meetings therein, to choose the necessary officers; such meetings to be held on the second Monday of March, 1853. This duty was duly per- formed on the third day of February preceding. The ward bound- aries were established as follows : -
SOUTH WARD, No. 1. Embraces all the territory lying in the city of Belfast, southwardly of a point in the bed of the river directly opposite the centre line of Miller Street ; thence westerly to and by the central line of said Miller Street to the "Stanley Road," so called ; thence by the centre of said road to the road leading to Hall's Corner, in Belmont ; thence by the centre of said road to the Belmont town line.
Ward room at Belfast Academy.
CENTRAL WARD, No. 2. Embraces all the territory on the westerly side of the river in said city, which is not included in the south ward, lying southwardly of a point at the extreme easterly line between J. Haraden & Sons and Reuben Sibley's Wharf (called Main Wharf); thence westwardly on said line to and by the centre of Main Street ; thence by the centre of said street to the centre of the Angusta road leading by the cemetery ; thence by the centre of said Augusta road to Belmont town line.
Ward room at school-house, formerly town-ball.
MIDDLE WARD, No. 3. Embraces all the territory in said city included within the following limits, to wit: beginning at the
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
northerly corner of Central Ward No. 2 ; thence north-westerly by the channel of the river to the upper toll-bridge; thence west- wardly to the shore, to the centre of the road; thence westerly by the centre of the road over the McMullin Hill, to Waldo Avenue ; thence north-westerly by the centre of said avenue to the road leading to and by the residence of the late S. W. Miller ; thence westerly by the centre line of said road to the house of Ephraim A. Pitcher, by the house of Oliver Bean to the Augusta road, and from thence easterly by the centre of said road to Maine Street, and from thence to the place of beginning.
Ward room, vestry of the Congregational Church.
NORTH WARD, No. 4. Embraces all the territory lying between the north-westerly line of Middle Ward No. 3, and the following described boundary, to wit: beginning at the north-westerly corner of Middle Ward 3, in the channel of the river at the upper bridge ; thence north-westerly by the channel of the river, to the " Fish Cove," so called, to the line between school districts No. 3 and No. 20 ; thence on said dividing line to Waldo town line ; and thence westwardly and southwardly on the town line of Waldo and Belmont to the Augusta road.
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