The Portland daily press., 1874-12-22
City Affairs.

Council was held last evening, to talse into con
sderation the order relating to Calls wharf.
| Absent Councilemen Trefetben, Pennell, Bru-
| mel, Roberts.
On motion of Councilman Fox the Boald
| went into committee Of the whole on the order
Councilman Fox occupied the chair
Councilman Green was called upon to state
his objections to the order He preferred to
hear from its advocates, and President Small
was called upon. He said that the report of
the committee sufficiently explained the reasons
for the adoption of the order
Councilman Written being called upon, stat
ed his objections to the order. He objected to
the indirect way in which the Grand Trunk
made its application for aid, and to the obscur-
ity of that application. He did not think half
the petitioners signed the petition understand
ingly. Many of them had assured him that
they signed under Misrepresentation. 1t would
be better to obtain Authority from the Legsla-
ture before acting. He saw in the proposed
measure chance for big scheme. The sum
of S130,000 will not begin to pay the expenses,
and he did not feel at liberty to take the first
STEP The question should be submitted to the
citizens at large. He had good authority for
saying that the Grand Trunk would not accept
the proposition as set forth in the amended Or
der, as far as reimbursing the city for all ex-
penses incurred Let us find out what the
Grand Trunk wait, and then we can vote un-
derstaLding:y.
Councilman Hale was not quite satisfied with
the order as amended and desired to hear the
views of the opposition.
Councilman Mcmahon wanted to know if
the city would be reimbursed if the wharf
should cave in and damage result, and it the
Grand Trunk would build an elevator within
short time.
The chairman thought there was not the
least darger of the caving in OF the wharf
Piles are driven down sixty feet into hard pan,
and careful inspection shows them to be IN
good condition. The slip is deep enough 10
float thu heaviest vessels loaded with grain.
When Franklin wharf caved in much mud was
thrown into the slip, which can be dredged out
No place on the eastern side of the wharf has
slidden out If it were badly constructed it
would have caved while there was heavy
weight upon it. The managers of the Grand
Trunk had been negotiating with the Allan
line for another steamer. Sir Hugh would not
put on another steamer unless he had assurance
of freight, and freight could not be furnished
without an elevator. The more steamers the
better. Each steamer that comes here pays out
$500 week here for labor alone. The order
substantially embodies the proposition of Mr..
Hckson.
Councilman McAlleny understood from the
Grand Trunk that it would certainly build an
elevator. r.sge rEssE-I
Councilman Green understood that Sir Alex
ander estimated the cost of foundation at
10000 Councilman Perry suggested that this
did not include the filing. Councilman. Den
nison was positive that foundation would cost
$4,000. .c.-.....
Councilman McMahon asked if the city could
legally vote the appropriation without the con-
sent of the Legislature. The chairman said
that the order itself took cognizance of that
objection. -a --
Councilman Nash wanted time to think the
matter over before he voted. He didn't want
the city to get another elephant on its hands.
If he felt sure that $4,000 would cover the
total cost he would vote for the order.
The chairman understood from the Mayor
that certain parties had offered to repair the
wharf at sum less than $4,000.
Councilman Roberts said the Franklin Wharf
Company had at enc time thoughts of buying
the wharf, and made estimates as to the cost of
repairing it. The estimates were 100000 Sir
Alexander asked them 100000 for the wharf
If he had offered it on the same terms for
which he offered it to the city they would have
bought it. i5.siH
The committee then rose. The order was
taken from the table, and Councilman Merrill
offered the following amendment:
Provided, That the Grand Trunk Railway
Company agree that after the city of Portland
has expended $4,000 in rebuilding, repairing
and dredging around said wharf to complete
any repairs or dredging which may be necessa-
ry for the accommodation of ocean steamers
drawing twenty-four feet of water, and there
after maintain said property in good condition
for the convenience of said vessels until the
same shall have been paid for by them. Also
to pay all damages occasoned by any party or
parties by such dredging or repairing.
The order and the amendment were laid upon
the table by vote of IL to- Councilmen Whit
ten, Merrill, Hannegan, Lovejoy and Green
voting in the negative. The Council then adj
journed.