The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-29
The Back Bay Nuisance.

Mr. EdltOr:-lt is certainly 10 De re-
GREETED that matter of such para
mount importance to the growth of this
city, and one so nearly connected with the
health and prosperity of its citizens, as is the
drainage and sewerage into back bay should end
in little talk upon the streets, a few articles
in the newspapers and the able and interesting
report of committee of Investigation. All these
are we'll in themselves but they do not abate
the nuisance and will not. without some prac-
teal action upon the part OF the city. Win
the wind in the right quarter, and with DAY
of proper humidity and heat, the stehch
will be Just as bad, and the germs OF 1esterlhg
disease will be just as fatal to health and me-
as if nothing had been said or written ana no
report had been made. Fever, dlphtheria cry
sipelas, and kindred diseases which have their
origin, or find a favorable field for their fatal
work in the sink of decaying animal and veg
atable matter to be found in vicinity OF the
beautiful grounds recently donated to the Guy
for park, will not yield their hold to words
alone-the cause must be removed.
The situation of the city of Portland is ad-
mirably adapted to perfect drainage and other
sanitary arrangements. Its streets, on every
side sloping to the sea, afford the best oppor-
tunity for carrying the sewage into tide wa
ter, and owing>to the peculiar formation oil
the harbors, all foreign matter is swept by the
tides and rivers into the ocean to that extent
that unlike other harbors the channels on
either side of the city, from Tukey's bridge
outwards, have maintained their average depth
without much dredging for the last hundred
fIo c,t Jon IF
which is almost entirely surrounded by the
waters of the sea- and the excellence OF the
climate, have given Portland the reputation OF
being not only one of the most desirable places
of residence in New England, but one OF the
most healthy cities in the United States. 1t
is this reputation which is making it to-day
a favorite summer resort and is daily adding
population in every way desirable to the per-
manent growth of the city. This being true
how short-sighted and fatal the policy, which
under mistaken plea of economy, permits
these great natural advantages to be worse
than wasted, and which will tend to destroy
the enviable reputation we now enjoy and will
be a serious hindrance to our material growth
and prosperity.
But aside from these general considerations
affecting the future of Portland, there are
reasons why condition of affairs which
affects the health and lives, to say nothing
of the property of the citizens themselves,
should be remeded Immediately. After the re-
cent Investigations of the committee, it is I'M
necessary to describe the condition of that por-
ton of the city known as back bay and especial
ly that part of it lying above behring's bridge.
If any one has any doubt about its condition let
him inquire of any citizen residing on that
side of the city. 1t is notorious that tannerleS
and slaughter-houses, and pork-pacdng estab-
lishments, unite their filthy wash and drainage
with the still more fatal contents OF the sewers,
and that, flowing into the basin above the
bridge, the offensive matter accumulates and
decays, loading the air with peStilent OdorS and
the germs of disease and death. 1t is said by
respectable physicians that repeated instances
of sickness sometimes resulting fatally can be
directly traced to such blood poisoning as
would be likely to arise from this very source.
And it is certain that cases now exist OF illness
nearly allied to blood poisoning which can be
traced to no other cause. 1t is also true that
whilst the disagreeable smells arising from this
nuisance will be less noticeable in the winter,
the germs of disease will be in some measure
active, and that the matter will still accumulate
which will be made potent for mischief by the
summer sun, and will add to the nuisance al
ready intolerable. And what should also
attract the attention Of the city is the
fact, that the continuance of this
nuisance Is already affecting the value Of the
taxable property in its vicinity, so that it will
soon be matter OF economy that the evil
should be removed. The portion of the city
most INJURED by this nuisance, extending along
back bay embraces New High Street. Deering
street, and the other new streets upon which
are situated some of the best houses in the city.
This location is near the centre of the city and,
but for this blot would be as desirable for
place of residence as any part OF the town.
The recent purchases and gift have placed in
the hands of the city extensive grounds in the
immediate vicinity of these evils. And now
comes the question, what shall be done to re-
move this evil. That it exists no sane man can
doubt That it is expedient to remove it can
not admit of question. That this condition of
affairs affecting the comfort, health and lives
of large portion OF respectable citizens and
tax PAYERS, to say nothing Of reducing the val
ne Of their property and threatening the future
prosperity of the whole city, should be allowed
to continue without the application of q radi-
cal and complete remedy seems impolitic and
improbable If it is true that men, women
and children are obliged to breathe the impure
and disease-laden air coming from fostering
flats and bitches until their health is affected
and, in some cases, death follows, then no man
can say that it is either humanity or economy
to allow it to continue. The valuable and ex-
haustive report of Drs. Gerrsh and Ring points
out the evil and the remedy. Why should not
the city at once move in the matter?
1t is economy to do so, and what is of far grea-
ter importance it is just and right that the
tected by the city. If the property of the pro-
prietors of tanneries and other structures OBJ
jectionable because of their use and nearness
to the city could be rendered harmless by prop
er opportunities of drainage, or perhaps pur-
chased at their fair value, the portion of
back bay above the bridge could be filled
and utilized for building purposes or the
park, and the sewers properly extended and
thus the mischief would be in great
part remedied. 1t is a matter which due re-
gard to the best interests of the city should
not allow to slumber. Perhaps ought to say
that this article is written after consultation
with my neighbors who in common with my
self have suffered from this evil and are equal
ly interested in its removal. Whilst 1 agree
that it is important that the city should
make no unnecessary or extravaganza expendi-
lures in any direction and do not presume to
point out the manner in which this evil should
be remedied, 1 do feel with others the impor-
lance of such action on the part Of those upon
whom rest the duty and responsibility of the
management of the city affairs, as shall best
dispose of this great nuisance. A. A. 4.