The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-13

moderate, and taking into consideration the
amount of gratuitous labor performed in its
behalf by the two boards of the city
Council and the various committees, by the
school committee and overseers of
the poor. the city gets its manifold
ana multitorm business transacted very
cheaply. Neither do think it fair in max
ing reduction, to scale down all salaries
alike, certain arbitrary percentage, but each
once ought to be considered separately, its
duties and responsibilities examined into, and
compensation fixed commensurate there
with. lncompetency is dear at any price, and
1t would be poor economy to exchange men
of integrity and ability for a lower grade OF
officers through whose lack of capacity or
honesty more would be lost to the city than
gained by reduction of salaries.
In calling attention to the necessity OF
economy and retrenchment in the present
condition of our finances, l would say in SUBJ
stance with the mayor of Boston in his late
message, do not wish to be understood to
advocate niggardly policy, unworthy alike
the traditions of our city, or unbecoming
liberal, enlightened and progressive commu-
nifty. True economy is not after that fashion.
With proper attention to the working details
OF the city government, and keeping our ex-
peuulIureS Wltnln the True sphere VI uuuiCiPoA
action, there will be no occasion tor stlntlng
in any really needful municipal outlay, or of
Withholding supplies necessary to sustain any
of the vital interests of the city.
And let me say in bringing to conclusion
this topic, that while we are endeavoring to
do our duty by the use of strict but intelli-
gent economy, we have right to ask of our
fellow citizens self denial in making demands
upon the city treasury. Many an extravagant
appropriation would never have been made
except under the pressure of unwise and per-
tenacious solicitation.
RAILROADS.
The Portland and Rochester road is now in
the hands of a receiver, the best situation, 1
suppose, in which it can be under the present
unfortunate state of things waiting for
something to turn up,-the rights OF all par
ties being meanwhile preserved. 4 new iron
bridge in place of the wooden one is now in
the course of construction over the Saco
river.
In respect to the Portland and Ogdensburg
road, with the views hold as to the scope
and sphere of municipal action hereinbefore
expressed, l hardly need say that my opinion
remains unchanged, that our city ought not
to be the owner, or involved in the manage
ment, of railroad, and that when the time
comes for the reorganization of this road, as
come sooner or later it must, the city had
better dispose of its interest therein, and put
the proceeds into sinking fund, and thus
avoid further complications in the affairs
of the road. AS to the time, manner,
and terms of SO doing, have already ex-
pressed my views as follows: whether
immediat ely, or at some more favorable time
hereafter, is to be considered, and at such
valuation, as after careful delberation, free
discussion, and fair negotiation, the city gov
eminent may fix. Nothing should be done
precipitately or prematurely, and the criti-
cism of hasty action and want of elaboration
should be avoided; so that whatever con-
clusion may be arrived at, it may command
the respect and confidence of our community
generally am glad the free discussion
thus suggested is now going on. know of
no better way of coming to a satisfactory de-
csion on question of this kind, than to
bring it to the test of full, public and courte-
Gus discussion and comparison of opinions
on a matter, concerning which men may
honestly differ. In the agitation of the sub
ject, however, one fundamental fact, should
be borne in mind, about which there appears
to be some Misrepresentation. Many seem to
suppose that the city's ownership and con-
troll over the road are in proportion to the
two millions and more of dollars which she
has put into it. But this is a mistake. What
interest the city has now in the road is to
be looked at, rather than the amount of
money she has spent in and upon it hereto
fore. In the first place, the seven thousand
one hundred and forty three shares of stock
which she owns, costing $7l4,300, are
valueless, except in this, that as their owner
ship would give control of the corporation
to purchaser, these shares would help sell
the city's whole interest in the road. In the
second place. in case the first mortgage on
the Portland section, with its accumulations
of iufn wit
the expenditures which must be made upon
that section, covers the whole value of the
sxty-two miles of road from Portland to
Bartlett, then virtually all the interestth city
has left is embraced in the remaining thirty
one miles of the mountain section in
the proportion of $l,350,000 to $4,000,
600, or twenty-seven- fftieths,-a little over
one hall, - and that not in absolute owner
ship, but as collateral security for the
$l,350,000 in bonds loaned.
SCHOOLS.
Our free public common school system is
the most truly democratic of all our institu-
tons, and the administration of it in our own
city is equally democratic. This is intrusted
to the care of committee of seven citizezs.
each chosen, by popular vote. from the ward
in which he resides, thus representing all
sections of the city, to whom is joined the
mayor. also chosen by popular vote, repre-
senting tho city in its entirety, and bringing
the committee into relation with the other de-
partments; and the report of this committee
is required by law to be made directly to the
people; certainly nothing could be more DEM
ocratic, nothing more republican, in the best
and non-partisan sense of those words.
To a committee thus constituted have been
committed during the year the oversight and
supervision of our twenty-th three different
schools, with their 5,748 enrolled pupils, the
selection of an immediate superintendent over
the schools; and, in connection with the
school agent, the disbursement of the large
sum of $S3,6S8.50, being $lS.7S for each
pupil.
And well and faithfully, believe, have
they discharged their trust. Their uncom-
pensated labors, at least uncompensated in
money, are entitled to our grateful apprecia-
ton and recognition. A school committee OF
the character and ability of ours, do not ex-
ercise their influence alone upon the schools
and scholars, but that influence diffuses itself
throughout the whole community, instruct
ing and informing it on all questions connect
ed with public instruction, and bringing it up
to the point of seeing the true objects of ed
ucation, and thereby rendering high stand
ard for our schools necessity. Of this fact
all will be convinced by perusal of the va
rious able reports emanating from the board,
which l commend to your attention as con-
tanning all needed information pertaining to
this important department.
This system of school administration is
now two years old, and has reached good
working condition, and with some amend
ments of the law making more definite the
duties and powers of the committee, and with
an ordinance prescribing fully those of the
officer called the school agent, it is destined
to endure many years.
For no other purpose do our citizens gen.
orally submit to taxation more cheerfully
than for the support of schools; still in these
financial straits of ours, I shall have to ask
the committee carefully to revise their esti-
mates, and ascertain whether there cannot be,
as I think there can, very considerable
amount of reduction made.
STREETS.
In regard to this department find the fol-
lowing to be substantially the facts as far as
can ascertain them; that our streets, speak
ing generally, are in good condition, better
think, as a whole, than for many previous
A. A. L.,