The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-20

subject oi re-districting the city has becn
somewhat discussed. There are rome dis
tricts where the number If scholars 10 few,
consequently the amount Of schoOl money
which they can draw will b. small and not
Sufficient Ia sustain n school for length OF
time In proportion TO other districtr, where
the number OF scholars is very much larger.
Consequently petitions IRE frequently Tnt
to the city council from rome Inhabitants Of
the smaller districts, Praying for permission
to send their children into another district,
or 10 have the limo OF district 50 changed as
as Ia embrace tl.om in tho u.orc fortunate
one. where schools are kept for longer term
OF time, and In but very lew cases, IL any,
can the prayer 10 granted unless it be to
the injury Of tho-e that remain. Again,
the subject Of uniting the several school
districts, and forming one general district
rived Tom tie latter change can be seen by
a careful investigation of che subject. Now,
which OF these proposed changes would con-
duce most to accomplish the object, 10 not FOR
me positively TO say; but permit me to sug.
gest thar the latter proposed change should
have careful and thorough investigation,
and If in summing up the advantages to DO
gained by such u change, you should find
it 10 DO for the int rest vi the schools TO
adopt 1t then let such measures be immedi
ately taken rs will tend to place the schools
in our city second in rank to none In the
State. As the population in our city in
creases. We shall have Of necessity TO make
larger drafts on the treasury for schools;
bat um happy To say that when demands
have bcen made upon Taxpayers for schools,
they have been checriully answered. There
will BE- q demand for an increase Of school
money the present scason, rs two new schools
have bcsn put in opention the present term.
Whatever ckanse there may bs Effected, dc.
signed for the better, we hope will meet with
the approval. and receive the Gu operation Of
Ill, for, whatever difference Of opinion may
exist in regard to other matters OF public
interest, VIC hope that upon the subject Of
Education NIL will unite and give II that
support which Its importance demands.
Another Of our public interests, for which
you will be called upon to provide, Is our
highways. Although largo amoant OF
money has from year to year been expended
on our str,ets and ways, yet such is their
present condition. that 1t will require lib.
erll appropriation to keep them in safe
passible condition, when taken In connec.
ton with our water COURSES and side walks
which must receive special attention. As
you will perceive that the supciintendcncc
Of all improvements ON streets and side walks
deyolyeson your Commissioner, unless other
wise ordered. | would therefore suggest that
he be instructed IN regard 10 the manner Of
appropriating the funds placed IN III hands.
whether by contract or otherwise. 80 that
the largest amount Of labor or material may
be obtained for specified sum. You AFRO
aware that the interest Of one Is the inter-
est Of the whole in this matter. I would
age be taken IN consideration your earl. .est
opportunity. as this will ultimately J., the
method which, in my judgement, viii hay,
10 DE adopted 10 carry III the eS cess of wa.
ter that nccumuiates from wrious sources.
and save our streets from surface washipcs.
which now Is the cause OF annual outlay,
aud IL upon Investigation, yOu should con.
clude that this is the better course to he IA.
ken, then what improvement You may make
this year shout have reference thereto, 80
lar IN culycrts and watr cOuscs are CON-
cerned. Allow mo, while upon the subject
ut streets, 10 suggest, that while there are
some streets already occupied by tie city
which IN require n extra appropriation
to put them in q condition Of safety. that
caution should b. used in granting the
prayers Of petitioners for the acceptance Of
new streets, when il will require any con-
slider bic outlay to put them IN u s,ic Ios-a.
BILE condition, or where there is land damage
claimed by the holders Of land through
which the street is located. The experience
Of the past teachesus that too much caution
on these points cannot he used.
The fire department wall demand more
than passing notice hy the council, for on
the existence OF well organized iru dcla,t-
ment depends the safety Of vast amount Of
property. The year past has been one I'M
usually fortunate ON account vi fires, but
few having occurred. yet IN the pact Wa have
learned what may he Of profit TO us in the
future. We have felt no doubt degree Of
safety while having around us those that arc
willing 10 sacrifice ease and comfort, and
even jeoEir,lize their lives in general con.
hagratiCn for the safety of their ncighbOrs
and fellow citizens. When the cry of "frc!
fire." breaks the stiffness Of night, il may
perhaps disturb the quiet slumbcr Of the
man who has no interest to b. cared for, and
us he awakcs, he looks from the window ut
the head Of his couch, and SEES that he is
not In imminent danger, ha quietly lays down
and says Z" my own dwelling is sale, let 9th.
ers take care Of the fire, I'm not to be DIS.
turbcd." Not 30 with tho fireman, who,
when no hears the cry of sire :" or the
stroke Of the alarm bell, leaves his quiet
rs sweet for him 10 enjoy as the
other. and amid the peltiLg of the storm
md TEMPEST he hurries to the place Of con-
nagnltion with bucket In hand. or with his
cOmmds 20 their station for their Tub. and
with all the powers with which he has been
endowed brought into requisi;ion, he tolls
md lab0rs TO save that, which the other, see.
me- il was not his own, would not movr from
iis resting place to save. You will there
ore, have no doubt, take that course which.
will in your judgement bc the most cthccnt
"a keeping up well organized FIRE depart-
nent.
The Police department is one which is en-
rho necessity Of such department, all who
lrc ut all converant with municipality.
will readily admit. That that force should be-
Elective no one will deny, and YOU will SEQ
{ this cannot be done with u less number
han wc have boon accustomed to have, No
hat there need be no excess Of expenditure.
n city like ours, made up promiscuously
md with the various influences brought u
,ear upon the excited passions OF men, that
cad them TO commit deeds, which at another
imc 4 under other circumstances they would
not attempt u commit, the demand f'r such
!. force seems to be imperative. The great
moving cause. from which arises the nesessi.
y Tor such an organization, should b.. II
,ssiblc. tn,ced out, and II possible removed.
L this cannot DO done, then we must do
he bcs. We can. The unlrcquency OF fires
n our city the past Year, may in n great
MEASURE b. trac.iblc 10 tho efhciency Of our
,ur nigh, watch AID Police. The unrr.trict-
Il salc Of intoxicating liquors may have
endrncy to augment our police force ono
,innot walk the streets without seeing that
uch may be the fact, and feeling. Us do,
IM