Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-18

understand from Mayor Eveleth, that tn
department of the poor, under the overseer
and the superintendent Of the almshouse, ha
during the past year, been judiciously man
aged, giving all the aid and assistance to tn,
dependent class which the positive provision.
of law, and tender sympathy for the unfor
tunate, imperatively demand.
The City Marshal's report shows, if the num-
Der of arrests is a basis on which to form a cor
rect judgment, that crimes have much dimin.
lshed in our city during the past year. The
quietude OF our streets has been noticed, and
has elected favorable remarks from our citi-
zens. This gratifying result is attributed, in q
measure, to the moral reform which has been
| In progress, and to the vigilance of the police,
under the quiet and efficient management OF
| the chief of that department, whose deter
mined and persevering efforts have foiled Of
tenders in their subterfuges and evasions.
| commend the statistics in the marshal's report
to your considerable notice.
The fire department, thoroughly organized
| with efficient officers, and well equipped with
| lire material, happily have had but little to do
| the past year but to perfect itself by exercise
and drill for effective service at the shortest
| notice. May it ever be so; but this cannot be
expected; our city is built of combustible
material, and fire starting some day may
desolate it. The experience of the past few
years in larger cities, with buildings Of gran
lite, brick and iron, many of which were con-
sidered fre-proof shows that even these
went down before small fires kindled in spite
of the strenuous exertions Of well appointed
fire departments, because immediate means
were not at hand to quench the starting
flames. These fires, as we'll as our great fire,
should teach US lessons of wisdom which
should not be forgotten. A large part of our
,of, Go
the use of the fire department; without this
the department is incomplete; for want Of it
fatal delays may occur. A sweeping fire may
indicate where reservoir should have been
placed to have stopped the fire at the COM
mencement. Let us not await this expert
ence, but commencing this year, build res
ervoir or two at the most important points,
and continue building from year to year until
the city is supplied. Not having seen the en-
gineer or his report 1 am unable to aid you
with any practical suggestions from him; but
in due time his report will be before you.
In this connection would call your attention
to arrangements made by the Augusta Water
company for laying, the present season.
pipes of large capacity and superior con-
struction, tested under heavy pressure, from
their reservoir on Capitol street, through
Grove and Water streets, to near the railroad
bridge. As water can be delivered from these
pipes on Water street. under head Of some
one hundred and fifty feet, would suggest
whether it would not be to the advantage Of
the city, if satisfactory arrangements could
be made with the company, to place hydrants
at convenient distances on Water street for
the use of the fire department. The unfailing
supply of water at the reservoir could be ca
silly determined in the drouth of summer, and
the power to throw a number of streams at
tsr,n BIO EirhnSf hniI1 IN
the street, could be determined by one by
drant.
The expenditures for the past year upon
highways, and for disencumbering the roads
of snow, have been unusually large and have
the appearance of being disproportoned to
the results accomplished. This is the usual
complaint, and the general impression with
our citizens is that it is frequently not with
out foundation. Let us look closely to the
management Of our highways this year. An i'm
preston exists in some quarters THAT the street
commissioners are quite independent Of con-
troll by the City Council and the executive
branch of the government. and when once
started in their career of expenditure no pow
er exists to restrain them. This is not just
view of their powers. They are appointed
by the City Council, are under the control Of
the council, and the tenure of their Office is
the pleasure of the council. How could they
be more dependent on the City Council? The
Mayor has control only as he can bar access
to the treasury. The commissioners are re-
quired by public law to make the streets and
sidewalks safe for public travel. This they can
do and make the city liable for the expense,
if the city fails to act or supply the necessary
funds. But all improvements, such as side
walks, cross walks, gradings, expensive
bridges and culverts are fully within the con.
troll of the City Council.
From an examination Of the report Of the
Of the street commissioner for the Western
District, 1 find his disbursements were
ten thousand three hundred eighty eight
dollars and ninetytwo cents, as follows:
Highways, $7,401.l4
Snow Bills, 1,S05.l9 S9,20G.33
New Streets, $3s607
Bridge, 1862 81, lS2.59