Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-03-20


pair Of section of the South Belfast road at Wor
romontogus pond, for which the city has been in
dicted. A city bond for three thousand dollar
will become due in July, and must then be re
deemed.
The HIGuwAYs.
1t has cost large sum to keep our highway
safe and convenient for public travel the past year
The unfortunate spring washings put them IN SC
bad a condition that it required unremittng efforts
for many weeks to repair them. The cost in the
eastern district was S4,675.54, and in the western
district $5,69S57. These sums include the pur
chase of a pit of excellent gravel in Brltts Gully
The snow bills have also been unusually large
nearly twice exceeding the appropriation. The
amount already paid in the eastern district il
81 6375l, and in the western district 81, 1881 60
1t should be stated that S6j6.23 of the above
sums went to pay bills of the previous year. The
reports of the commissioners will give to you Q
full account Of their years work.
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Our schools have ranked unusually high the
past year. The number of scholars in the twenty
two districts under the immediate care Of the city
was 1859. The appertionment OF the school
money gave S4.55 to each scholar. The number
in the Village District was Sl06i to each OF
whom the proportion Of money raised was Sl2.5
We directly taxed ourselves last year Sl4, 742, 81
for the support of public schools, and received in
addition from the State an indirect tax of 1886,
OF. These sums went ostensibly towards the ed
ucaon of q l23 scholars but in reality only about
one half that number received benefit therefrom.
1t is q sad fact that so many slight their school
privileges. After making liberal allowance for
necessary and legitimate causes OF absence, such
as sickness, the learning Of trades and attendance
at private schools, the proportion OF absentees is
still startling, and calls for rational enforcement
of the compulsory law and better public senti-
ment. The report of the Supervisor will give you
many interesting facts and suggestions.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The last city council was early confronted by
the fact that the Bridge street engine house was un
safe for occupancy, and that some provision should
be made Immediately for the safe housing of the
machines and horses. The alternatives presented
were to make suitable foundation under the old
building. or abandon the site for another, and
construct a new building. Each proposition had
support from men Of good Judgment who were
equally devoted to the citys welfare. But it was
finally decided to retain the old lot, chiefly be-
cause of its central position, and to make gran
te foundation under the building sufficiently deep
and massive to be permanent. A foundation be-
ing secured, and the most economical opportunity
appearing to offer, it was decided TO repair and
improve the building to q reasonable degree, that
the department might be better accommodated
and made as efficient as possible. The Pacific
and Cushnoc companies now have convenient
and permanent building. The cost, including the
granite foundation, was $33O03j. l am happy to
say that the entire department is in q state Of
commendable efficiency. The fire work done by
it the past year will be fully described in the report
of the Chief Engineer. will add in this connec-
ton that formal request has been made by many
citizens for the city to procure another steamer.
This is q matter for your careful consideration -
and for your early action if you are satisfied that
such an addition to our fire equipment will be ex-
pedient. An ingenious and skilful mechanic of
our city has nearly completed new steam er on
an improved model.
Poor DEPARTMENT.
The cheerful support of the poor and needy is
our christian duty. This charity distinguishes
the higher from the lower civilization. However
onerous the burden 1t must be borne. The past
year has been hard one for those in Strengthened
circumstances, and the report Of the Oyerseers
shows that there was never before year when so
many different persons called for assistance from
the public treasury. The whole amount expended
was S90l6.07. Four hundred and twenty five
persons outside of he alms-house have been aided
"a larger number by at least one-fourth than ever
before. The aims has been we'll patron
lied and ably conducted by Mr.. Hamilton and his
estimabe wife. Notwithstanding this unusual
cry for help, the overseers through their excellent
and valuable chairman, have managed to keep the
expenditures within the appropriation; and, what
is better, while they began the year with seventeen
hundred dollars Indebtedness chargable to the pre-
vious year, the present outstanding bills amount
to only about seven hundred dollars. This is q
gratifying fact, and reflects credit upon the ad-
minstration Of the department.
CITY PHYSICIAN.
The report of the City Physician states that
three deaths have occurred among the city's bene-
fciences during the year. This officers duty to
cure or alleviate as far as lay in human power the
sickness and suffering Of the destitute poor whom
we have with us always, has been well performed.
lie reports that the whole number of deaths in the
city was 1919; or l6 l-2 to the thousand inhab-
tants. He alludes to the fact that our city is one
Of the healtbes in the State, the rate Of mortality
being little below the average.
Police DEPARTMENT.
The report of the City Marshal will again show the
mournful fact that large portion of mis- duty per-
tans entirely to the suppression OF disorder orig-
mating from intoxicating liquors There we're two
hundred and ffty-sx arrests, disposed Of by two
hundred and thirty convictions, eleven bound
over, and fourteen discharged. One hundred and
seventy nine search warrant, for liquors were
served, sevsnty-seven Of which were successful.
When the evil of liquor selling and liquor drink
ing is abolished, we can almost dispense with this
department, the expense OF which for the year has
been S233S 16.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
Among the permanent city improvement the
past year may be mentioned the wall at the Bridge
street engine house, costing, with the surface
drain, S209l 80 also street wall near Wyman s
mill, and several large culverts, besides the en-
gine house foundation. The net sum expended
under this head was S3302.77. You will be asked
TO make certain Improvements of permanent na-
ture this year, among which will be two or three
new streets.
Suits AGAINST THE CfTY.
OF the seventeen suits against the city, in the
Supreme Judicial Court at the beginning of last
year, six have been settled and dropped from the
docket. One other was tried, but the verdict,
which was against the city, appeared SO much at
variance with facts and justice that appeal for
q new trial was made, The cost of settling the
six cases referred to aggregated $l745.l2. Con-
sidering this comparatively severe experience. it
is cause for congratulation that no new suit has
been brought against the city during the past
year. 1t is also gratifying to know that the per-
sonal damages law as amended by the last legis-
lsture, is not now liable to such gross abuse has
heretofore been practiced under it, tor it no long
er substantially requires the town to be the insur
er of all persons who happen to fall down or
receive injury on public way. Eleven cases
against the city are still pending, nine of which
are awaiting trial. The report of the City So
citor will present in some detail the facts con-
nected with them.
TUE PROPOSED RAILROAD.
There has for some time been growing con-
vction among many of our most thoughtful and
pubc-sprited citizens, that if we as a city desire
TO increase our present business and commercial
importance, or even to retain for many years the
State Capitol, something must be done to counter
act the agencies " hich are steadily and increas-
ngly working against us. Instead of being as