The Portland daily press., 1871-06-13

The regular monthly meeting of the Com
mon Council was held last evening.
Sundry papers from the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen were disposed of in concurrence.
The order relating to the drainage of the
swamp land near BOWS tannery was passed in
concurrence, and Messrs. Sampson, Clark and
SWEET We're Joined to the committee.
The report that it is mex pedient to lay side
walk on the southeasterly side of Bracket
street, between Pine aud Carleton streets, was
passed in non-cOncurrence The report was
recommitted in the Board of Aldermen.
The Board voted to adhere to its former vote
recommtting the petition of J. T. Gilman ct
ais, that Brown street, between Free and Con-
gress streets, may be paved. 1.-The Aldermen
granted leave to withdraw.
The Appropriation Bill was taken up When
the item tor school salaries was reached DIR
Gordon moved that it be amended by the sub
stitution of $51, IT'S for $40 1926, the amount re-
ported by the committee. In support of his
motion DR.. Gordon said that the amount spe-
Gifted in the bill was reduction of $4,000 from
the sum fixed by the School, Cammittee On
account of the inadequacy of the salaries paid
here we are fast losing our best teachers, who
are called to other places at larger salaries
He stated in detail the several grades of sala-
ries paid in Portland, and said that in compar-
lson with other cities of similar size we are be-
low the average. We employ none too many
teachers for the work. The average is forty
scholars to a teacher, fair division Of labor to
have work well done. The School Committee
suggest an increase of $500 for the High School
to retain the services of two excellent teachers,
who are in danger of being called away and
who are almost Indispensable in that school,
An increase of $500 is demanded for the island
schools. An additional school house has been
erected there, and the graded system introduce
ed, and to sustain the system and give the peo-
pie the advantages enjoyed in the city, the
sum named is necessary. One hundred and
fifty dollars was added by the School Commit
tee for French teacher in the High School.
The amendment was adopted 10 to 1-Mr. Rich
voted in the negative.
On the appropriation for schools, Dr. Cor
don moved that the sum ($15 ,000) be increased
TO $l6,750. 1t had been found necessary 10
make important changes in the Chestnut
street, Bracket street, Casco street and No.
Primary school house in order to make them
suitable for the abOdes of children. Improper
drainage, bad ventilation, the contiguity of
pirvies to the school rooms had made these
buildings sources of blood poisoning fevers,
and the work of improvement had been care.
fully, economically and permanently accom-
plished. The amendment was passed, IA to
-Messrs. Stanwood, SWEET and Rich voting
nay.
The bill, as amended, was then passed.
The Council refused to concur with the AID
ermen in reducing the appropriation for streets,
&c, from $50, 900 to $4,000.
The petition of Arthur Noble for abatement
OF his tax, OF 1866, as member of the firm of s.
ID. Sawyer q Co., was referred to the Com
mittee on Judicial Proceedings.
The Council voted to adhere to its previous
action, rerommitting the petition of j. T. Gill
man ct ais, that Brown street, from Congress
to Free may be paved; on which the Alder
men voted leave to withdraw.
Coolers pdssed-Dir9cting the Committee on
Cemeteries, &C., to inquire what changes, if
any, are Necessary in the ordinance relative to
the protection of cemeteries in the city; d-
recting the Committee ON Water and Hydrants
to sell all or part of the Lowry hydrants not in
use, as they may deem for the best interests of
the city.