The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-09


ton and rivalry among the different companies
is the natural result of the laudable ambition
OF young men to excel in whatever they under
take. By the activity of our firemen, our fires
are promptly checked, our fears of large fires
grow less, and our insurance rates are as low
as are Obtainable in any other city.
Our defective system of building invites
large fires, and makes it our duty to have this
department in effective condition. The en-
gines and apparatus are expensive. and the
Tough usage to which they are necessarily sub.
jected, causes much wear and tear, and re-
quires a considerable outlay to keep them in
good order.
SCHOOLS.
Our schools, as you will see by the excellent
report of the school committee, retain their
high reputation.
The superior advantage our schools afford
for education, induce some families to move
here to educate their children, benefit to
Portland that would be much extended but for
the drawback of heavy taxes. Our schools
are purely democratic institutions. We
depend upon them to furnish that preparation
which will enable our children to earn their
living, whether in the workshop, the store or
in some one of the multiplied callings of life
And 1t is only by the development and i'm
provement Of their faculties, that they are en-
abled to fulfill the purposes and reap the en-
joyment OF life. Our schools are very expen-
sive, but should reluctantly advise any re-
duction in the estimates for schools and
school houses. lfurnishedsby the committee, for
they are intelligent, competent, and under
stand the subject in all its bearings.
DEERlNG's OAKS.
We made valuable addition to our possess
sions, during the past administration, in the
acquisition of the Oaks. This tract of land is
situated near the centre of the territory of
Portland, and will continue in the future, as
it has been in the past, noble ornament of
our city. We do not need parks from neces-
Sltv regards health for the small territory
OF our city is nearly surrounded by water,
and all our land SO inclines in every direction,
that, with our broad streets. we are we'll open
to light and air, and good drainage is easily
ership by the city of this property, will be to
improve the value of the surrounding land,
making it desirable for better class of
buildings; removing the fear of its be-
coming an unsightly portion of the city; and
to confirm the wisdom of the acquisition. Our
circumstances will not permit Of any outlay,
solely with reference to improving the Oaks
for park. 1t is imperative, however that we
should at once take measures to abate the
nuisance OF that portion called the mill pond.
The object can be accomplished by filling up
the mill pond, which must be preceded by
proper sewerage. Construct sewer on Port
land street, from Grove street to State street,
and continue it, from the intersection of State
street with Portland street through the Oaks
to behring's bridge The sewage of Grove,
Mellen, State and High streets, will be re-
ceived into this sewer. Then, cover the mud
OF the mill pond with few feet of gravel,
and the mill pond is no longer an offence.
Filling up of the pond to the level of behring's
bridge, can be gradually done by waste mate
rial, ashes and street scrapings until we have
a soil suitable for the growth of trees. The
expense for the proposed sewerage and layer
OF gravel is estimated at not exceeding $4,000.
There is no call for sewer in any other part
of the city, and but Q small appropriation for
repairs and culverts will be required. 1t will
be borne in mind that this plan does not call
for extra expense solely with reference
to abating the mill pond nuisance. 1t
is merely forestalling the construction
of sewer, which. in few years, would be
absolutely required, and in the manner now
proposed. The only additional expense to the
sewer recommended, is for the layer of gravel
in the mill pond This proposition carried
out, then we can turn our attention to any
local removable nuisance which may require
attention, and also, in the future, as necessity
compels to requisite work on Back Bay The
present canal from Portland street beyond the
Aims House, will be continued to behring's
BRIDGE and kept OPEN This canal in connec-
ton with the large sewer, which crosses Port
land street under the Maine Central railroad
BRIDGE will convey the sewage from the ex-
treme west end of the city, as we'll as the
water which flows from the water sheds of
Bramhall hill and the town of Deering.
call your special attention to the report of our
engineer, Mr.. Goodwin, and to his full and able
treatment of this whole subject and of the
Back Bay enigma
PARKS AND PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The contemplated plan for the appointment
OF a commission of three of our citizens, to
hold office for three years, to have the whole
care and supervision of the parks, cemeteries
and public grounds of the city, exclusive of
Evergreen cemetery, is most needful and
timely We may reasonably expect from such
a commission, such improvement in this prop
yvil ,f1arf 1,n.r hat
will cause it to become the pride and delight
of our city, and in time restore Portland to
the position she held before the fire when she
owed more to the growth of her trees for her
attractiveness than to any other natural cause.
The effect of intelligent superintendent is
manifest in the growing beauty and attractive
ness of our Evergreen cemetery, and soon to
be made more SO by the addition of a bonnti-
full supply of water, readily obtainable, close
at hand.
AIMS HOUSE.
Peruse carefully the report of our overseers.
They have the care of four per cent of our
population, who require aid, either within or
outside of the Aims House. Like other COM
mittees, they perform gratuitous work, and
much time is faithfully devoted to it, They
report the property and the house in good Or
der. The call for outside aid during the past
winter is thirty-three per cent less than during
the previous winter, indicating better employ
ment for our laboring population. By their
JuulClouS management, IrdiupS nave quit FORT
land. The overseers are especially entitled to
credit for keeping their expenses within the
limits of their appropriation, and the sum APP
propriated was the least for many years.
POLICE.
We desire peaceable and orderly commune
ty. We should be glad if every inhabitant
would so conduct himself or herself, that we
police force. But the covetousness the APP
petite and perversity of man make it other
wise. Our police, as the marshal's report
shows, find much to do, as they always have
done, and probably always will. The police
man who does his duty has no enviable task,
and that no complaint of moment has been
made against them is greatly to their credit
ROCHESTER RAILROAD.
The sale of the city's interest in this corpora
ton, was in accordance with the recommended
ton of a very intelligent commission, APP
pointed to investigate our railroad complica-
tions. We improved the first good offer for
trade. Whether it was best for the interest of
our citizens it is too late to inquire. 1t was
generally conceded, all relations considered
that the sale was for the interest of the city.
The result on freights has somewhat modified
our views, but the city is relieved from CO.
entered.
oGDENsBUaG RAILROAD.
The result of the sale of the Rochester rail-
road should perhaps lead us to hesitate before
dspoSing OF the city'S interest in the Portland
& Ogdensburg. The traffic, earnings and in
come of this latter road are on the increase,
and it seems reasonable to expect that a much
larger sum can be realized for the citys inter-
est in some future year than at present.
Ex-MAYoR BUTLER.
During the past year we have been called by
death to part with our ex-Mayor Hon. Moses
M. Butler, one of the most exemplary and eff
Gent citizens who ever filed this office. His
integrity, high sense of honor and large bust
ness experience, were effectively employed for
the benefit of our city. His eminent services
are well appreciated and will have a perma-
nent effect on the credit Of Portland.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNT.
During the past year, our city came near
being deprived Of her right of representation
in the Legislature. We had supposed, hereto
fore, that when the will of the majority vas
expressed, that act was final as to who should
be the governing power until another election.
No one even dreamed it possible that the ex-
ecutive branch of our state government would
usurp the legislative authority, or attempt to
keep the minority in power, and thus defeat
the will of the people as expressed at the bal
lot box. The iniquity was stunning to u.s.
Under the justiiable excitement ON the &C.
casion, and the high wrought feeling in other
| parts of the state, we cannot commend too