The Portland daily press., 1871-08-15
amy A6iiIi.n

Girl Wanted :. Lormg, Short q Harmon.
House to Rent. Geo Davis q Co.
Ohy Affairs.
A regular meeting of the Common Council
aud special meeting of the Board of Mayor
and Aldermen were held last evening.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.
A communication was received from the
Building Loan Commissioners. notifying the
Board of the election of William L. rutnam,
one of the Commissioners, vice Eben Steele,
deceased.
Leave was granted c. K Newcomb to erect
an awning in front Of his store on Com mercial
street.
The petition of A, d. Sweetsir for hearing
on his petition for compensation for damages
on account of the change OF grade OF Portland
street, was referred.
The Mayor, as chairman of the Joint special
committee on the building of a portion of the
Marginal Way, submitted the following:
In BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.
August A. 1871.
The special committee to whom was referred
the proposition of the Portland and Rochester
Railroad Company for the building of SO much
Of the marginal way as extends iiom the north
erly terminus of Gould's wharf TO the Grand
Trunk railway BRIDGE having examined the
premises and heard the parties in interest re-
port:
The above named railroad comp,ny. having
the imperative necessity of reaching the water
front and establishing a connection with other
railroads, thereby accommodating its passen-
gers and freight Since it has effected its con.
nection with Rochester it has turned the tide
of trade TO very considerable extent towards
Portland, as our principal wholesale merchants
gladly confess, and when the through connec-
tons shall have been fully completed it is con-
fidently believed this volume of trade will be
largely increased.
1t is no disparagement to other important
railroads leading to Portland to say that We
deem this among the most valuable to the fu-
ture prosperity of our city, and we believe it
would be for the interest OF Portland to meet
eral spirit
That the Marginal Way, comprising the
northern and eastern sections of the CITY must
at some early time in the future be built, your
committee presumes no one who takes a clear
and comprehensive view OF the future of Port
land will question. The invaluable water front
which skirts the margin of the eastern section
deep enough at low water to float the heav-
lest tonnage OF the me rcantile and naval YES
sells OF the worlds not TO be forever shut out
from the public sew ce. As fast as demanded.
and to cetain extent in advance of and to
create demand, this magnificent front aust
be opened and utilized.
Your committee are aware that this great
enterprise cannot be completed at ouce; that
as yet, there is no call that would justify the
expenditure of so large an amount as would be
necessary to make the entire Marginal Way
But the proposition of the Portland and Roch-
ester Railroad Company offers to the city a IA
vorable opportunity to commence this great
work under encouraging auspices We believe
the building of the way proposed Immediately
would secure the following results:
LIST. 1t would not only give to this road ac-
cess to the front side of the city and easy ac-
cess to the wholesale trade, but would induce
other such enterprises to look with favorable
eye in the same direction.
I'd. It's tendency would be Co build up and
render valuable the large territory now lying
comparatively waste and useless in that Sec
ton of the city, and to turn the attention of
traders, mechanics and manufactures in that d
recton, rendering useful the now useless but
invaluable water power of the bay.
3D.. The contemplated street, when built,
would bring into use large quantity of real
estate now of hardly any appreciate value.
Thus,
4th. The city would ultimately, though not
Immediately reap material advantages in the
IL crease OF taxable property in that section
and the general increase of trade.
That it is for the advantage of Portland to
encourage every enterprise that will advance
our general business, promote manufactures,
incre ase the value OF real estate, and make our
GOOD """h"" "'ore inviting. is not de-
Portland is to be what
ges it should be, a great
it is our duty as guard
eseDt but the future to
opportunity to attain
commend the passage Of
ers and that the Port
ulroad Company be per-
..ss earu marginal Way when made,
without charge, for such time and under such
rules and restrictions as may be established by
the Committee on Streets, Highways ana
Bridges.
Annexed hereto is communication from
the City Civil Engineer, which is hereby made
part of this report:
1.-THE communication of the Engineer is o
technical description of the location and mode
of construction. The length of the street is
1910 feet, and crosses Washington street at
grade of IS feet below the present surface. 1t
is proposed to bridge over this cut.
The repoet was accepted and the accompany
ing orders were offered: One directing the
Committee on Streets, Sidewalks and Bridges
to proceed with the construction of the Way
agreeably to the surveys and plans of the Civ
il Engineer; and the other author izng the
City Treasurer to hire a sum not exceeding
$4,000 on city bonds, for twenty years, and
apply the same to the construction of the Way.
A short and uninterrupted debate followed,
Aid. King moved that the report be recOmmit-
ted with instructions to strike out the words
without charge" and the report was SO amend
ed and passed.
The order authorizing loan was passed by
ayea and nay vote, 8 to 2-Ald. Mccarthy and
Winship in the negative.
An order came up from the Council fixing
the salary of the Mayor for the current year at
$l50O and it was passed in concurrence.
IN BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL
The report of the committee on Marginal
Ways was accepted, and the orders accompany
Ing orders were passed nen con.
An order was passed that oil lamps be used
in the localties where street lights have been
ordered and where no gas mains have been
laid down. Adjourned.