The Portland daily press., 1866-07-18
Go Slow
To the Editor of the Press:

4At Dist.-JOHN A. PETERS, of Bangor.
Go Slow! ...
To the Editor of the Press: H5t ~ "
From the different projects for widening
streets, laying out new streets and public
squares, one would imagine that the CITY had
suddenly come into the possession of several
millions, instead of having been deprived at
one blow of a like amount. ~ iI.I
The only argument in favor of these SUD-
posed improvements is, that we can make
them now at less cost than at any other time.
mat Is true enough, but while at some other
time we might well afford to spend some hum
dreds of thousands to crafty the aesthetic
tastes OF some OF our citizens, we can now af-
ford to spend nothing but what is absolutely
necessary. We must pursue policy of the
strictest economy in order to retain our capi-
tai both of money and labor, which will seek
other fields OF employment ii we hamper it
by increasing our taxes, which are now as
heavy as can be borne. A public square is
not a necessity. Nor do we need any new
streets. Our city is conveniently laid out,
and all points are easily reached. There are
some instances where streets may be widened
and perhaps extended, but any wholesale sys-
TEN OF improvement is unjustifiable at pres
ent on account of our inability to bear the ex-
pense. svis2aT
We have appealed to the sympathy Of our
countrymen for aid in feeding and sheltering
our hungry and homeless population. Would
it not be highly improper to spend money to
improve the symmetry of our streets, while
we are in receipt of charity to relieve our dire
necessity, la.sr ssd fHtrla II X.
We are very glad to give place to the COM
munication above. 1t is proper at this time
that every shade of public sentiment should
be represented. In the multitude of counsel
lors there is safety. The misapprehensions
into which we are all liable to tall, will be
more easily corrected if they are brought out
into public view. And finally, If there are to
be two parties and two lines of municipal
policy, it will be a great adva ltage to under
stand clearly what each party desires, and
such an understanding can only be reached
by public discussion.
What we all seek is the greatest good of the
city We have lost much. 1t is natural to
desire both to save what is left and to secure
such contingent advantages as have ac-
companied the great disaster. Both these OBJ
jects ought to be kept steadily in view. If
there are to be two parties land we hope not)
it win be because the one regards too exclu-
sively the necessity for economy, and the
other the opportunity for needed
Improvements. 1t is the duty of every citi-
zen, so far as possible, to guard against partial
views of this great emergency.
Coming now to the immediate topics of the
communication, we have to observe in the
first place, that it would be highly improper to
spend money " to improve the symmetry of
our Streets" or ",to crafty the aesthetic tastes
of some Of our citizens" while we are in
receipt of charity from abroad But we have
also to observe, that, so far as we have no.
ticel, no such propositions are on foot. What
is proposed, is to guide and direct the work of
rebuilding in the ruined district, instead of
leaving it to chance. The argument in favor
of such Improvements as can be obtained by
intelligent direction, is not, {" that we can
make them now at less cost than at any other
time," but that we shall never be likely to
have another opportunity. When
in 1865, London was ravaged by
fire and 436 acres lay in ruins, men said a
hundred years would hardly replace the thou
sands of dwellings and public buildings, vet
we are told that +" in less than five years after
this terrible calamity, the city was almost
wholly rebuilt, and in style of far greater
regularity, security, commodiousness, beauty
and salubrity." The recovery of Portland
will be no less rapid, 1t, is greatly to the
credit Of our City Government, that, appreci-
ating this fact, they have so promptly turned
their attention to the perfection of general
plan intended to secure the2e same advanta-
ges OF regularity, security, commodiousness,
beauty and salubrity. 9d5 b7 sfii9B tf
1t is true, as our friend says: there are
some instances where streets may be widened
and perhaps extended" We do not want
now the narrow. lanes which were laid OUT
when Portland was fishing village, and we
do want such thoroughfares as Spring street
extended. Several large land owners on Ex-
change street have offered to relinquish. two
feet on each side of the street, for the better
accommodation of the business which chok-
ed the roadway. Why should not the city
accept the donation? On the other hand,
any " wholesale system of improvement" is to
be guarded against. When any expensive
and unnecessary improvement is proposed, by
all means let us protest against that But let
us stick to particulars and discuss every prop
osition on its merits, and especially let us not
commit the error of supposing that system
and forethought are necessarily more expen-
sive than disorder and neglect.
The only definite proposition to which our
friend takes exceptions, is that which contem-
plates the purchase OF public square. This
he regards as sacrifice to the aesthetic wish
es of portion of our citizens. If we could
so regard it, we should agree with him, that
the thing ought not to be done, although
knowing, as he knows, that beauty also is
profitable in the long run. Men beautify their
shops to attract customers, and the city may
well consider their ways and be wise. But we
believe there are more weighty reasons to back
the recommendation now before the City
Council. Mass meetings are not uncommon
incidents of American life: we need rendez-
vous of this kind as much as we need public
lecture room The breathing space is sani-
tary necessity. AS an investment merely, the
purchase Or lease of this land would be judi
cious 1t can be put into the market at any time
ii the people are willing, at better price than
would now bring For these reasons, we
hope the recommendation of the committee
will be adopted. Is so,s.a.ft iavf, 81
THE hard fight in Aroostook County has
begun. The Sunrise says Mr.. John b. Traf
ton, of Fort Fairfield, is to be the copperhead
andidate for State Senator, and that he has
been in Madawaska, reviewed the Canuck
zouaves of that region, and organized all the
plantations. The Frenchmen vote rather free
ly, but the Sunrise expects to beat them easily
on fair pol, and take care of the duplicates