The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-03-23

in carrying out the common programme, or
whether something ralpablc should no accom-.
plished; whether the whole city .bouh bo
merely scratched over in the usual manner and
the streets made rassablc Tor the time beinr or
whether something should he done which wn,,d
not require doing over again the rrcscn, vca,
The utter impossibiity OF ever briprinc ON,
streets into a good condition in the manner
formerly pursued being fully apparent, at leo..
TO me. il was decided that true economy could
only be cxemplifed by doing thorough and
permanent work, policy which was adon,rd
and carried out to the letter; and. although
the advantages Of such policy may not i've fnI.
IL npparcnt this year or next, there vii, be n
time when the people will acknowledge that
money spent upon our streets on any other
rrincipls will b. little less than thrown away.
The condition of the roads and streets in all
countries IL considered TO beas0rt ofindcx otthe
civilization and prosperity Of the inhabitants,
and it may as well be get down first ns last rs
also economy either to neglect them entirely,
or TO adopt system of temporary expedien,s
in constructing or keeping them in repair.
The amount Of highway money allotted TO
the Pool District was 5000; to the Oak Ridge
District $500, and to Ward Seven District
$3.50. The amounts expended in those Dis
tricts hut slightly. IL any, exceed the appropri-
atons. and the roads have been kept in salts
factory condition, considering the money used.
In District Four, the expenditures have necc--
sarily exceeded tho appropriations 10 greater
extent than in any OF the others.
At the commencement OF the season, when
the snow cleared away ~ that work could be-
commenced. the street or square between thc
City Building and Bidlclord House was found
tn he full Oi holes and in n very unsafe condi-
tion. All the branch drains leading into the
Main Sewer were stopped up, which had cahs-
ell the water to 0teriow and nearly destroy
both streets and sidewalks, and even the stono
posts and CURLING in the vicinity OF the First
National Bank were undermined and complete
" torn up, the drains leading from under the
City Building into the Main Sewer destroyed.
and the stone crossing from tho Post Office to
the Bidicior,l House disarrangedand uptnrned.
IL was apparent that these matters could he
cilcctually and permanently rcmedied in but
one way, AMI that way was tn blast through
tho ledge on South Street near the Bank, AMI
construct branch sewer 10 rs to take the WA
tor from the level ground above, into Tho
Main Sewer, which was done, and q substan-
tal lS-inch. barrel drain put in, with iron
crate openings. and brick cess pools. All tho
branch drains were re-opencd and mostly re-
laid some new ones were built; largo part
of the sidewalks around the City Building re-
constructed, and granite pavement lald ne
the casterly end Of the building. The old
"Rcpublican Rock" on South street, so long an
eye core to the public, was removed entirely,
and good wide gravel sidewalk built where il
stood. A substantial pump was put into Tho
well near Ncwcomb's Shoe Mandatory, u
convenient public watering trough erected,
and drain three and one half feet deep con-
s,ructed leading from tho pump through tho
ledge into the Main Sewer near the Post Office.
All the stone obtained in doing these jobs WIS
cartcd to Chestnut street and used for filling.
Early in the past year sale was made to
Charles Hardy Esq. by the Water Power Com
pany, OF that part Of the Bddelord lIou$n
garden ab1t,ing on Adams street. On run
ming ont the purchase it was found that il in
c!uded very large part of the sidewalk be-
the proprietor rightiully proposed to fence il
expensive strip OF land, which nearly every ono
supposed already belonged to the City, or sub.
nit to having tho sidewalk closed up. Of
course there was but one resort, tho land wns
purchased, q ledge removed, and wide and
ing the curb stone Mt his own expense. This
expensive job, unexpectedly forced upon tho
city, led 10 difficulties with the Baptist Society,
which could only be satisfactorily adjusted by
extending the sidewalk around their church,
they giving to the city tho land in Offset for
the curb stone used.
On the South side Of Liberty Street, from
the Biddeford House tn Alfred Street, tho side
walk was mostly plank and in u very unsafe
condition, having been down from ten to fifteen
years. endcayoured topcrsuade parties own
ing adjoining buildings on the street, 10 lay
new walks, but found il impossible to get them
to do 80 ut their own expense. The only qucs.
the old plank walks, which daily rendered the
city liable to heavy damages, should remain az
they were whether the interest ON several thou
rand dollars should annually be extended in
repairing them; whether new walks should bc
put down, and if SO, whether they should be of
wood to be renewed almost yearly alta large
expense, or Of brick and stone 10 last forever
without expense. Brick and stone were used
and q new. wide and substantial sidewalk put
down which will give the city but little trouble
hereafter. Four wide, stone cross-waks were
also laid, two on Liberty street, one on Wash
ington street and one on franklin street. On
Gooch leland. u thoronghfare over which there
i. large amount OF travel. and where nothing
of any consequences has been done 20 the streets
for years, lIG feet of curb stone were laid and
good gravel sidewalk built from Smith Cor
nrr to the bridge. The old plank sidewalk on
Washington street was taken mp, and good
gravel walk put down, iheold cros.wnlks being
used for curb stone. The ledge on Pool street
tIah nnES L.,
has long greatly endangered travel on that
street, has been blasted out and good road
way made; and also narrow and dangerous
place IN the same street, near Mr.. Gilptrick's
residence, built up and widened; also ledge
which occupied large part Of Birch street,
near the residence of Mr.. Brooks, has been re-
moved and the street thoroughly repaired.
The principal job, however, was done on
street, between Main street and tho
Depot. II has been stated that General Grant
lspired to become Mayor OF Galcna, TINT he
might build sidewalk IRON the principal part
Of that city to the Depot hut think that il
he had resided in Biddeiord, and had hal any
apprehension Of affairs, his aspirations would
have been directed to some other object. am
not much like General Grant, but I had de-
'ire to build u sidewalk to Depot and built
L, and M yet have not seen any cause to regret
L. No street in the whole city is probably
'ravrrsed so often by all OF our citizens a.
Chestnut street, and none has ever hal such
miserable and dangerous sidewalk ns was sut-
(ercd to exist on that for more than fifteen
years, nearly undisturbcd. II is not only
matter oil great wondcrment, but one for con.
graduation and rejoicing, that the city. instead
VI paying hundreds, did not have to pay thou
sands OF dollars in damages for suffering it to
remain year after year in the state il did.
Tho new sidewalk built the mast year on that