Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-21

Leaving a balance nne expended of, s253s.4o
In addition to the above, So, $50 were spent
in repairing Kennebec bridge.
Whether the commissioners have or have
not discharged their duties in the best manner
is unknown to ME. Their accounts will be
submitted to your inspection, and as the sub
ject is one of the first importance, ii will with
ont doubt receive your early and careful at
tention.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer yickery reports this depart
ment to be in high state of efficiency, thor
oughly organized and equipped, and ready at
all hours for instant service.
But three alarms have occurred during the
year. The total loss by fire amounts to but
$42. %, and as that was covered by in
surance, the loss to the city has been in real
ity nothing. While thankful for this remark
able exemption from fire, let us not neglect to
take due precautions for the future. The
reservoir near the railroad bridge should be
repaired at once and filed with water, and
two additional reservoirs, one near the Court
House, and one at the junction OF Green and
Chapel streets, it is thought, should be built
and filled without unnecessary delay.
The expenses of this department for the
year have been as follows
For salaries, .aH .a..t.. s2aso
Horse keeping, SO -.s.a 400
Repairs and miscellaneous expenses
about, 80 it. 3+5
- 500
The experimenting School Committee re-
port the number of scholars on the first Of
April last to have been 1921, viz
In the village district I,l04
In the other % districts lob
and the amount appropriated and distributed
pro rata $7,783.36.
They say the schools are for the most part
in fourishing condition, that the law of last
year authorizing them to employ the teachers,
''works admirably" where it has had fair
trial, and advise that no change be made in
that respect during the present year.
refer you to their interesting report which
will soon be laid before you.
Aims HOUSE, &c.
have recently visited the Aims House in
company with several officers of the city. We
were all, think, much gratfed to find con-
dition of order, neatness and comfort through
out the establishment that impressed us most
favorably with the fitness of the superntend-
ent and his wife, (Mr. & Mrs. Hail. for their
positions. The inmates of this refuge of the
poor and homeless, (mostly aged and infrm,
were inquired of, and replied that they were
well treated and contented In addition to
this provision for the poor of the city, 203 per-
sons have received occasional aid during the
year from the overseers to the amount of L.,
454.64, and seven others are now supported
by the city in the Insane Hospital at a weekly
charge of" $3.50 exclusive of clothing. So
far as l can judge, the overseers have dis
charged their duty wisely and with commend
able economy. GSE rEra
POLICE.
Complaint has been made that our police
force is unnecessarily large and expensive
The security Of the community depends very
much, as we all know, on this department
By the official statement of City Marshal
Harrington, it appears that during the year
past the number Of arrests has been 2s5, re
sulting as follows: convictions, 266; persons
bound over, 8; discharged, 10. Of these ar
rests 1888 were for drunkenness, 50 for as
sault and battery and ARRAYS, when most of
the parties were under the influence of ardent
spirits, and 80 cases for violations of law by
rumsellers. In other words nearly four
fifths of the offences against the good name,
order and safety of this city were chargable
to the sale of intoxicating drinks as bever-
age. Now if persons among US will persist,
in spite of the vigilance of the police, in thus
iniaming the passions of their fellow-men,
and making them disturbers of the pnblic