The Portland daily press., 1876-03-14

the city would have to provide for the inter-
est on the 81 100000 of bonds issued to aid
the Portland and Rochester railroad, the
sum of $69,000 would have to be added,
making total of $227,0O0 annual tax This
would be yearly tax of nearly $3.50 on
every thousand dollars of valuation. 1t
must be remembered however, that the $751;
bonds, is the only part of this sum which
will come as new burden this year.
The constant increase of our debt beyond
the increased expenditure due to the growth
of the city, suggests the wisdom of consti-
tuhonal restraint upon the power of the city
to contract debts, and the imposition of a
limit to the percentage of our tax for any
purpose. Such restraint has already been
imposed in some of the larger States, and
petition from the city government to the leg
islature might obtain this wholesome safe
guard for our people.
l would alse suggest that an application be
made to the legislature to impose upon the
county the care of the bridge at Pride's cross
ing, and the bridge at Stroudwater. The
burden of maintaining these bridges was put
upon the city before the days of railroads and
when the greater part of the travel over them
was to and from the city. At the present
time they are enjoyed more by the other peo-
pie of the county than by us: and in view of
the large share of the county tax paid by
Portland, it is only just that the care of these
bridges should be assumed by the country,
and the rest of the county bear a portion of
the expense.
STREETS AND BRIDGES.
| A large amount of valuable work has
been done during the past year upon the
bridges. and it is to be hoped that we may
receive such advantage from it as to effect
a reduction this year in the expenditure
ture of that department. There is
prevailing belief in the commun-
ity that large saving might be made in
the appropriation for streets. This may be
done, but not to the extent that is imagined
The topography of our city, the increase of
| our business, and the consequent wear and
tear of the streets, demand a more expensive
system of repairing, grading, and paving.
The large number of horses for the Fire De-
partment involves the maintaining large
number of teams and large number of men
to work the teams. A saving might be made
by putting work upon those streets only
where safety and convenience of travel rem
| der work necessary. Any expenditure upon
| street beyond the sum of 5000, should have
specific appropriation. This is required by
| the ordinances.
The report of the City Engineer recon-
| mends the construction of some of the new
| streets, which have been laid out by preced-
| ing city administrations. I would suggest
| that new work of this kind be confined TO
cases where it will pay the city Immediately
to construct the streets, or where the rights
of persons who have built upon the streets
entitle them to have the streets constructed
| SEWERS.
A moderate expenditure for sewers will be
| required during the year. When we consider
how much of the area of the city is made up
of hard ledge and the necessity for increased
sewerage caused by the introduction of water
we may congratulate ourselves upon the
small expense the city has been obliged to
incur for sewers. Yet the great increase
in the use of water and sewers makes it es-
sential to the good health of the community.
that the sewers should be carefully construct
ed and carried to suitable outlets. 4 general
system should be followed, and every sewer
constructed with reference to the sewers it re-
ceives and the sewer it enters. The City En-
gineer has devised general plan for section
of the city, on Munjoy Hill. This should be
followed out with reference to other portions
OF the city. The question of carrying off the
| sewage of large portions of the city has al
ready been confronting the city authorities.
The expense of preparing the plans for the
drainage of different areas of the city would
be trifing, while it will save the city from
costly blunders in future. The total expen-
diture for sewers during the year is $14.292,10
of which $6.114,l7 has been received for as
sessments. This a moderate expenditure and
much less than the sum expended in former
years.
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
The amount expended for the support of
the poor, to March l, 1876, is $25, 1868.
This sum is less than the expenditure for the
same purpose ten years ago, and an examina-
ton of the items shows that while the poor
have not increased in number the cost of ad-
ministration is greater. The new hospital at
the Almshouse has proved to be of great
service to the poor who require accommoda-
tions of that kind. During this hard year,
no one will oppose liberal appropriation to
help the poor, and we should furnish them
with more frequent opportunities for making
their applicati ions to the overseers.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
learn that the public buildings of the city
have received liberal and thorough repairs
during the year, rendered necessary by the
wear and tear of several seasons in which
little work was done upon them. We ought
to receive the benefit of this, and save in this
item of city expense.
FIRE DEPARTMENT..
The Fire Department is reported to be in
good condition. In discipline, in equipment
and in numbers, it is believed to be prepared
| for all emergencies which will probably oc-
cur, or which can be controlled by any
| agency which the city can afford to maintain
The ordinary expenses during the year were
| $22, 400 and the salaries $4,000 more max
ing total of $34,400. This amount COM
pares well with the expenditure of the pre-
ceding year, there being some advance in
salaries only. The losses by fire during the
| bnt II,
covered by insurance of $13,907. The Chief
Engineer recommends the purchase of 1000
! feet of hose.
| The expenditure upon schools during the
| year was $2l, ,005 and for salaries $61,65
making total of $S2,655. The first item is
some $4,000 less than the same item last
year. In the item for salaries there has been
an increase of some $4,000. The expenditure
in the same department, for the year ending in
1865, was for schools $l2,55l.04 and for
salaries $29,046.63, total of $4l,597.67.
| The school houses, under the jealous and
intelligent supervision of Mr.. Frederick Fox,
| have been kept in excellent condition. 1t will
be greatly regretted, if SO valuable public
officer finds it impossible to continue to dis
| charge the duties of that Office. 1t seems to
be conceded that in some districts the school
| houses are crowded to degree that is incon-
sistent with health and good management,
and the question of an appropriation to pro-
| vide additional Accommodations, of either tenn
porary or permanent character, will probably
| require your consideration.
HEALTH.
| The report of the Superintendent of Burials
shows decided decrease in the number of
deaths during the past year, as compared
with the year before. An examina-
nation our death rate for several years ind-
Gates that, although our population has rap
idly increased, the death rate has diminished.
This may be attributed partly to increased and
better sewerage, and partly to the introduction
of water. With our unrivalled situation,
am confident that we could reduce the death
rate to still lower point Every gain made
in this way is an addition to the wealth of the
community.
CONCLUSION.
The official reports are on file with the City
Clerk, and will soon be published for your
information.