The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-12

season for this years assessment, otherwise.
in the present uncertainty of values, it will
be to a certain extent useless.
/ will allude before closing to one or two
minor matters.
l renew my recommendation that the truant
officer be attached to the police force, for the
reasons stated in my address of last year,
which experience has confirmed; and the large
experience CT Mr.. fash, our school superin-
tendent, comedies with mine.
Greater care should be exercised in grant,
ing licenses to hackmen. AS whole, they
are hard working we'll behaved, and re-
spectacle body of citizens; but heretofore a
few of their number, by their conduct at rail-
road stations and other public places, have
brought disgrace upon themselves, their fell
lows, and the city. 1t is due to the large ma
jority of those pursuing this calling, and to
the credit of the city, that rude, quarrelsome,
and incorporate men should not have the in
dorsement of the city as suitable persons to
engage IN this semi public employment.
In view of the numerous runaway acct
dents, SO called, occurring in our streets
daily, sometimes even to the number of half q
dozen in few hours, to the destruction of
property and the danger of life and limb,
suggest for your consideration, whether an
addition could not be made to the ordinance
against fast driving, prohibiting, under a
penalty, persons leaving their horses united
in the streets, unless in the immediate care of
some one.
ST. JOHN FIRE.
One of the most pleasing incidents of the
last year was the prompt, generous, and
spontaneous response of all classes of our
citizens-rich and poor, young and old, men
and women alike-to the cry of distress from
4 oc<rs olyo osfx Of VnhV e
the calamity reached US in the forenoon, a
public meeting was called at midday, and
before night, a steamer was on her way bear
ing relief to thousands made houseless and
homeless by that great confagration.
$12,304.52 was subscribed in money,
and articles quite as much needed,
estimated at the value of $4,000, were for
warded under the direction and superintend-
ence of the ladies of the city. whose sad ex-
perience in our own great fire rendered their
aid most opportune and valuable.
CONCLUSION.
have thus, as well as have been able,
| gone over these various topics at more length
| than usual land than l anticipated. My apollo
| gy must be my desire to bring before our
| fellow citizens the fullest information touch
ing the situation of the affairs of the city, and
| to give you birds eye view of the work
before you and of the many important sub
| jects which fall within your cognizance in
legislating for the good Of the city, embracing
as they do all those local and domestic inter-
ests which most nearly and intimately con-
Germ the public safety. convenience comfort
and morals. l shall continue, while occupy
ing the position with which have been hon.
ored. to devote large part of my time and
attention to the duties of the office. and
shall be always ready to cooperate with
your honorable body in furthering those
measures which are calculated to advance thu
| true interests of Portland.
| M. NJ. BUTLER.