The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-03-09

These results snow plainly tnat the expendi
lures in that department are greater than i'm
good health and convenience require ample
drainage; but just now it is apparent that 9TH
er improvements are needed. Sufficient
drains have been laid to enable US to pave to
advantage; and prudence would seem to re-
quire that our appropriations for this purpose
for this year at least should be reduced to
small sum, and what is SO saved, either
omitted from the tax, or used for making per-
manent Improvements by paving our streets
have had no opportunity to examine par
ticularly in relation to our schools, but doubt
not they are generally in good condition. A:
meeting of the School Committee in Febru-
ary last, apparently without any application
therefor, the salaries OF certain teachers were
increased covering back to September last-a
period of six months-and a portion of bal
ance of an appropriation which might other
wise nave gone into the Sinking Fund, was di-
verted for that purpose. As to any proposed
increase of future salaries have no objection,
regarding 1t good policy to compensate teach
ers fairly; but donation for past services, 1 do
not consider within the granted powers OF any
branch OF government, and, except in cases
where 1t Is done to prevent actual injustice,
cannot draw any warrant therefor, at least
without full consideration thereof by the Coun-
Gil, or under advice of the City Solicitor. In
this connection it seems proper TO inquire
whether either by an Ordinance or Statute
made to meet the case, the Council should not
Toc0ivo anu eXefclSe 8oIQ0 GOutrOvOVeF Luc CON-
tracts and expenditures Ofthe School Commit
tee, and other now partially independent De-
pArtments. sr +t .~,
We have now within our city two well or
ganized volunteer companies Of infantry,
whose mere sxiste nee ID preventative of dis
order. Their morale isexcsllent; and the dis
cipline of such character, as well in their ar
mories as without, as must commend itself to
all good citizens. A small, well ordered force
is security to the whole State; and the sx-
of Aswasw. katx ~
upon either individuals or localities.
The P0rtlnad Water Company, as lam assur
ed, will be able to introduce the water from Ss-
bago to our city az soon as July next; aud from
the progress already made, it can hardly be
doubted their expectations will be realized.
So much has been said as to the necessity of
generous supply of pure water in Portland
that not much more need be added in that d.
reotion. The Sebago is for large portion of
our city necessity; and will be a welcome
luxury to the whole.
The charter OF this city expressly requires
the Chief Magistrate of the city to cause the
laws of the State to be enforced; and statute
passed in 1858 reminds municipal officers es-
pecially Of their duties relative to tippling
houses, gambling rooms and houses of ill-fame.
Yet what is called by some vigorous en-
fercemsnt" of the "Prohibitory Liquor Laws,
a style of proceeding which is desired equally
by few jealous supporters of the policy of
these laws, and by a number also of jealous
laws obnoxious and securing their repeal, has
at no time during the last ten years been con-
sidered by any of the Chief Magistrates of our
city practicable, would produce dissension and
undue excitement within our city and draw
upon it an unfortunate notoriety, and would
demand special and almost exclusive employ
ment of our police force seriously affecting its
usefulness in all other nrtters. All the laws
of the State must take their chance together
and alike, SO far as my administering them is
n nd he ,alio of will hr
instructed that no open defiance of any law
can be permitted, that all complaints from re-
spectacle citizens accompanied with sufficient
information must be received and acted upon,
actsrized by disorder and disturbance of the
peace, viii be pursued with all the weapons,
whether liquor laws or other laws, which have
been or may be given into our hands.
A. municipality we are now engaged in
assisting two railroad enterprises-both of
them of great importance to our city, perhaps
of vital importance to its growth and increased
prosperity. i am happy to say the snecess of
the Portland and Ogdensburg enterprise may
now be considered as reasonably certain; its
merits have been fully canvassed and are well
understood by our people. fear the impor
tance of the completion of the Portland &
Rochester road with its proposed connections,
may not be SO fully appreciated. With its line
traversing beyond Alfred one of the most popu-
lous regions of our State, touching at Roches-
ter the center Of an active, thriving, growing
population, thence passing through many
towns now without railroad facilities, and Civ
ing rs at Worcester an easy Now York con-
neetion and Western rail connection which
at least will serve to protect our merchants
against the difficulties natural to cities depend
ent ON single line of rail, il deserves favor
able regard. Other enterprises of similar
character have been proposed by very re-
spectacle proportion of our citizens, which in
their proper time, it is to be hoped speedily,
will come within the range of our ability. At
present however it is to be considered whether
the two already determined upon are not all
that we can safely undertake.
Until we approach more nearly their success
full termination, to agitate other schemes in
my judgment would weaken our credit, and
tend to ALLEVIATE many who at the proper time
would be friendly and active in their behalf.
Our relations to the State at large are such
that We naturally regard with favor all pro-
jeeted railroad enterprises within its limits.
Most of them will contribute directly to our
growth; while from all az they tend to build
up the portions of our State where they are
located, we must derive in that way an indi-
rect advantage. H9- e-l 74 .l-i-l9
Indeed all our relations to the State at large
are 20 peculiar and intimate as to afford a
most striking illustration of the old fable hav-
ing for its subject the necessity to each other
of the various portions Of the human body.
With the growth of the State we grow; and as
we grow the State fnds convenient market
for its products, and our capital flows out upon
it, aiding its railroads and manufactures. Our
relations are now harmonious and agreeable.
From being on object OF jealousy to some sec
tions We are now regarded with pride, and our
progress and all our improvement observed
with satisfaction and delight. And it is fer
you gentlemen Of the City Council, and for
myself to conduct ourselves in our stations so
conscientiously as to contribute our small por-
ton toward making this our city yet greater
honor and greater blessing, both to itself and