The Portland daily press., 1874-03-26

City Affairs.
special meeting of the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen was held last evening
Leave was granted to Dr. Gilman to remove
an ash tree on Free street.
Petition OF j. P. Thaxter for license for Mu-
sic Hall was referred.
Inc foiiowlng were appointed undertakers
and special policemen without pay: s. s. Rich,
Andrew Rich G, Fl. Blake, j. M Courier w.
b. Melcher, G. II. Lunt, Annis Tobin. Lewis
Bunce, e. FL. Ripley, w. A. Stillings. H. s.
Bennett, Mark Wiggin. S. g. Rundett. Joel
Merrill, Hugh Carney, w. II. SWEET Aaron
Pingree, G. D. Small, Franklin Tukey.
A. ID. Purlngton, w. j. Green and joseph
Smith were appointed special policemen at the
Portland Company.
The special business of the evening was tax
Ell up, viz: The hearing on the Boston & Maine
petition for permission to cross the northerly
side OF Commercial street for the purpose of
connecting with their other tracks on the
street. The Committee on Streets, &C., report
ed that they had examined the place, and
without recommendation, submitted an order
for single track near the foot of High street,
VIZ A"-iio"u iOSihS W WiuOu buc uOIbu Siu6 VI
Commercial street at the foot of High to a uni
form width of fifty feet, so as to the crossing at
Alright angle, the railroad laying flat rail with
single guage. The order provides that SO far as
the Mayor and Aldermen are concerned per-
mission be given the B. & M. to cross their
street with single track as shown by plan
annexed; the road to be subject to the rules of
the city; the road to hold the city harmless
against damages; the Mayor and Aldermen
serving to themselves the right to revoke the
permit whenever they deem it called for by the
interests of the city.
Hon. w. L. Putnam appeared for the petit
TONERS, stating that the Boston & Maine r. R.
needed greater facilities for connection with
wharves and with the Grand Trunk. The
company had some objections to the Smiths
wharf crossing Since the crossing to that
wharf was placed matters have changed. Bus
mess over the Boston & Maine is pouring into
the city, the arrangement with the Grand
Trunk is friendly, the Lewiston & Auburn
Railroad is an accomplished fact 1t is evident
the road needs more facilities.
Mr.. Putnam contended that the spirit of the
old contract with the Grand Trunk contem
plates case like this. He then went on to a
discussion of the order claiming that it was sat
isfactory inasmuch as it extended the desired
provided for an efficient protection of the in
terests of the city. 1t places no obstruction in
the way of High street not now existing OBJ
strnctiOns now existing in consequence of the
Smiths wharf crossing will be removed.
Hon. Nathan Webb appeared as the attorney
of the p s. & 2. Railroad, remonstrants, and
citizen. He claimed that the city had no
power to grant the petition, because the locat-
ing is not in accordance with and within the
time set forth in the enabling act of 1871. 1t
has r0ht to RIGHT of n the
middle of street, not conducting to station
grounds, nor in the direct line of the railroad.
This order really authorizes connection with
another railroad, and that connection the city
has no right to NEEDLE with. The P S. & p
have, by the recent decision of the Supreme
Court, right to the rails between State and
Union streets, and they don't want this con-
nection.
eral travel and to travel to the Eastern station.
Therefore it should not be laid, The city has
only right to grant the petition in case of a
legal location.
Commercial street is already numbered with
tracks. Traffic along its way is constantly in
creasng. Another track cannot be laid with
out seriously dscommodng travel.
Mr.. Putnam spoke again, contending that
the location was legal one. As to the matter
of granting authority to make connection the
order does not do that; it merely gives consent
so far as the city is concerned. Unless that
consent be given the question cannot, even if
desired, be brought before the courts, and the
rights of the B. & NJ. cannot be ascertained.
If the whole street can be crossed surely half
of it can. The p. S. & 2. will not seriously
nor for long oppose this connection. The Or
der provides that the track can, by order of the
city government, be taken up When connections
are made elsewhere.
This closed the hearing, and the orderwas
put upon its passage. 1t had unanimous
passage.
A communication was received from the
Chief of the Fire Department. announcing the
election Of John f. Chase as Secretary of the
Board of Engineers
Permission was given to P. F. Varney to
drain his property into the Clark street sewer
in consideration of 5000.
Petition of John Barbour for erection of a
wooden stable on Hampshire street was refer
red with power.
The bonds of VIM. H. Bigelow, keeper of
powder magazine, and Arthur M. Sawyer, con-
stable, were received and approved
Petition OF w. w. Thomas for permission to
remove certain trees was referred to the Mayor
with power.
Petition of Peter Hammett for removal of a
tree in front of his residence on High street
was referred to the Mayor with power.
The petition of Chas. d. Thomas for the cree
ton of a wooden stable on Newbury street was
granted. Adjourned.
The exercises of the afternoon begun with an
interesting essay by Rev. Mr.. Jones of Port
land, on the standard of Sunday School instruc-
ton. Essays upon 'Woman's Work in the
Church, were lead by Mrs. John Cushman and
Mrs. Zimmerman of Gorham. The extend of
the field of effort for Christian women was set
forth by both ladies with great clearness and
power.
DR.. Eggleston made very pleasing and in
structive speech on Sunday School work. A
general discussion followed ON the temperance
question.
The meetings have been characterized by I'M
usual interest and fervor.