Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-19


And the department should be
credited with proceeds of
sale of the gray horses, 279 30
$l,303 81
The Chief Engineer claims
that the fire department
should also have credit
For sprlnkling the streets $3.50 90
f Repairing of sprinkler, &C., % 90
AZ days labor on streets
by horses and driver, 2lO 90
$685. 90
We have the highest authority for believing
that, while human societies exist, the poor
will always be with them, to require sympathy
and protection, and even though their poverty
be the consequence, as is often the case, of
their own wrong doing, the duty of caring for
| them is not the less sacred
| Ample provision for this dependent class
| among US has been made by the city, and no
individual or family need suffer for want of
| the necessaries and comforts of life. The
| city farm and aims house have been well
managed the past year, by the superintend-
ent and matron, Mr.. and Mrs. Hall, and am
satisfied, by repeated visits and careful in
quiry, that the inmates under their charge
|
alterations will add much to the convenience
Of the main building. Beside this provision,
outside aid to the amount of 81 ,98l.42 has
| been furnished from time to time to families
| by the Overseers. This mode of partial re-
| lief, appears to have been discreetly used,
| and unites good policy with kindness, as it
| often saves the worthy poor from the humli-
| alton Of becoming fixed paupers.
| In addition to the above, three men and
| five women are supported by the city in the
Insane Hospital at a weekly charge of $40,
| exclusive of clothing, that costs from $40 to
SO annually fer each person.
The appropriation for 1872, was 800
The chairman of the Board Of
Overseers reports the to-
tai expenditure at 5,427 A
Leaving balance of II IS
The expenses of this department have been
kept during the year to the lowest sum con-
| sistent with the public safety. | have reason
| to believe from personal knowledge, that the
City Marshal has discharged his various du-
ties with fidelity, and with all the success
that could reasonably be expected with the
force under his command; but we know, that
with the utmost vigilance, offences are COM
mitted, and casualties occur in all communi-
ties. The sad accident of the twenty second
| of January last, by which an aged and re-
spected fellow citizen was fatally injured,
should be perpetual admonition of the dan
ger of violating the ordinance forbidding
coasting down our streets. The city is not
expected TO maintain police force sufficient
TO keep such constant watch and ward as TO
prevent every violation of this ordinance, but
parents and guardians are justly expected to
enforce their authority on this point and thus
perhaps save themselves, their children and
others from unayailing sorrow.
The number of persons arrested for crime
during the year was 3l5, of these 2SS have
been convicted and punished, 10 bound over
to court, and II discharged.
1t appears by the Marshal's report, that by
far the greater part of the offences against the
peace and safety of the community is charge
able to drunkenness, and the unlawful sale
| of intoxicating liquors, while the want and
woe that follow in the train of this disreputa-
bic traffic cannot be computed. Its burden
upon US financially, as well as morally, war
| rants and demands emphatic expression and
action in regard to it.
The difficulty of the full enforcement Of the
| law can only be understood by experience.
Every possible artitice is resorted TO by seller
| and drinker to battle the police and avoid
detection, and SO strong are the greed of gain
and the craving of appetite, that, while much
| is done to check the evil, its entire suppress
| sion by law alone, seems to be, in the pres
ent state of public opinion, almost impossible.
| To accomplish it, moral and legal means,
| though distinct, should be in harmony. The
w ashlngtonian movement in our midst is
most gratifying to the friends of good order
| as well as of temperance, and may God give
it great success. l rejoice also to know that
labor of love is in successful progress here,
| by which many hundreds of the children and
youth of our city will be saved from the curse
| of intemperance thems elves, and become,
| while they live and wherever they 60, bright
examples to others of the blessed effects of
| entire abstinence from intoxicating drinks.
SCHOOLS.
| The Experimenting School Committee re-
port the number Of scholars on the first day Of
| April last to have been 2,3l9, viz:
In the village district LIB
| In the other districts, l,l16
| The amount appropriated and distrib
uted pro rata, 81 ,S37 so
| They say ''the schools have had fair de-
| gree of success. The old method of employ
| ing teachers by school agents has placed some
| incompetent persons in charge ofthe schools, "
and they recommend the best men for school
| agents. Their report will soon be prepared,
and furnish, doubtless, full information on
| this important subject.
MANUFACTURES, &C.
In regard to the Sprague Manufacturing
Company, l am informed by the Agent, that
their cotton MILL built the past year, has a
capacity OF $4,000 spindles. They are now
putting in the machinery, and the. mill will
probably be ready to start up during the COM
ing summer, employing some four hundred
operatives. steam apparatus has also been
completed for the use of both mills. Addi-
tional machinery has been put into the Ken
nebec mill, which is now in full operation,
with Is, 500 spindles, and turning out three
millions three hundred thousand yards of
print goods per annum. The saw mill at the
east end of the dam has been enlarged and
equipped with new and improved machinery.
| A new store house and other buildings have
been erected. which, with general grading, &C.,
make it one of the largest and most complete
| mil tba rivnr n addition the