The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-10-05

hhe NiSterM ktOmtuhNS'
To the Editor Of the Press
A writer in your columns, under the haule Vi
Ward Six" has undertaken, III series Vi Id
bored articles. TO demonstrate not 1hiy that ac
cess TO The shore on the Norm East side Oh the
CITY shoull be speedily furnished but that it
NAV he best afforded by the proposed deep cut
an Congress street. 1t may be remarked that
the public interest is always most loudly pro-
claimed by those who are seeking to accom-
plish private objects, and it is worthy of obser
walton in this connection that, although YOUR
correspondent admits that East Commercial
street should be laid out and constructed as
early as the condition Of our city finances will
allow, yet as this cannot be done soon enough
10 accommodate private purposes, Congress
street should be cut down to the grade propos-
ed-an argument which ignores public inter
ests as connected with the Promenade, and
private interests no less worthy of regard than
the lumber yard of which "Ward Six" seems
| to be a special advocate.
The writer of this is interested to no incon-
siderable extent both in upland and flats in
| the locality referred to- He also feels some
pride in the natural advantages of the city,
them. IL is quite obvious, therefore, that upon
this northeastern slope no serious alteration
should be made in any particular spot, the eff
fec. of which may be to obstruct such laying
out of the whole as may best secure its useful
ness and beauty. AT present, it is almost en-
tirely unimproved by dwellings, Where the
streets are TO be, and what grades should be
adopted, are questions to be answered with
care, and can only be determined by skill and
the Judgment of experienced men. The city
charter conlers ample powers to lay out streets
in advance, and make them where they are
needed. This should be done with especial
reference to the future, and not solely with
view to present individual requirements. Our
city is not suffering for want of space to carry
on all sorts of business, however an individual
may fail to get that immediate use of, or
enhancement of value to, his property, which
he may desire. Thirty thousand dollars is a
large sum to be added to our taxation in order
that few persons may bring their property
into market before the proper access to it can
be furnished--especaly when that expendi-
ture is for purpose which many of US think
would result in permanent injury.
What is asked for them is, not that improve
ments shall not be made as soon as possible on
the northeast side, for the writer is strongly
Interested in having them made, both as a cit
lzen and an owner of lands both above and
below high water mark. What is desired is
as whole-in order that the very best result
shall be obtained both for the city and indiyid-
uals. In that way, and that alone, can mis-
takes be avoided which would be likely to &C.
casion both regret and useless expenditure in
the future, when, perhaps, a remedy may be
beyond our power.
1t rs with this view that the writer would
most respectfully enquire why the Commission
authorized by vote of the City Council has
| not been appointed. Weeks have elapsed
since this subject was under discussion, and
not the first step has been taken. A season of
the year is approaching when the necessary
surveys will be difficult, if not lnpfacticable.
Do the Committee who have this matter in
charge mean to leave it open until next year,
to be the subject of contest in the council, and
OF private intrisues among those who are in
teresting themselves to secure the completion
of repudiated contraot9 1t is quite time that
this preliminary step, so proper and nee
essary in ITSELF and so important to the best
| interests of the city, should be taken "Ward
Six" does not speak as if he were looking at
anything beyond the private question, and the
Committee ON Streets, whatever ability they
may have, were appointed to make streets, and
keep them in repair for the convenience of the
citizens; and not to provide material for maxi
ing wharves and piers, or to improve the har-
hora dat nf fha cif u uio af
the argument of Ward Six is found in his
communication when he says that the objection
to a ramp, is that it would prevent the use of
so much material for filling the flats, which
could not be obtained so cheaply elsewhere.
Let our city then, whenever it can be done,
follow the example of New York, in this re-
gard-lay out its unimproved territory into
stleets-fix their grades-so that people may
know where and how they may erect dwell
ings with safety Let US have plan, complete
as whole, before We begin to eXcavate in par
ticular localities, for private purposes. Own
ers will then know where to sell and where
to improve, without fearing that what they
may do will be rendered improbable or I'M
available by some i'll advised movement of a
new Council and the city itself will then see
before it definite line of action to be follow
ell out as fast as its public wants and growing
population may require.
A single glance, one would think, of the
western side of Munjoy, must satisfy any one
with an eye that, had the course proposed
been there followed, We should have been
spared the unsightly gashes that now disfgure
that side of the Hill, and have made it an un-
attractive locality, and an undesirable neigh
borhood for years to come