The Portland daily press., 1881-11-08

TAXED upon properly lor which ne oWeu, aho
afterward had to pay, but the Indebtedness did
not mature until after the tax was assessed
The petition was referred to the committee on
claims.
The committee on streets, sidewalks and
bridges to whom was referred the moving OF
the house on North street reported that they
had examined the case and recommended that
it be moved. There were several difficulties in
the way of the city's moving it and they had
made arrangements withsthe parties owning
tine house to move it at an expense not exceed
ing $500. This order was passed to carry out
the recommendation of the committee.
THE MARGINAL WAY.
The Mayor read the order that was passed in
concurrence at the last meeting in regard to
the Marginal Way as follows:
Whereas, By order of the City Council APP
proved September 10Th, A. ID. 1872, it was I'M
derstood and SO expressed in said order "that
after the completion of the marginal way lac-
cording to the recommendation of the City
Civil Engineer dated August 18th, A. ID. 1879
any railroad corporation using it shall pay
therefor such sum IS the City Council may
deem fair and just
Therefore, be it ordered, That the Commit
tee on Streets, Sidewalks and Bridges be
directed to enquire into the subject matter OF
the above named order, and report to the City
Council at its next regular meeting what ac-
ton should be taken to carry into effect the
intention of said order.
Alderman Little stated that the committee
to whom the order was referred had viewed
the Marginal Way and attended a meeting of
the Portland & Rochester Railroad, held at the
Preble street depot, and had requested Mr.
Geo. P. Wescott to prepare report of the traf-
fic over the way.
The Mayor read the report as follows:
PORTLAND Nov. 7, 1881.
To the Committee on Streets, Sidewalks and
Bridges.
from Gould's wharf, on Back Cove to the
Grand Trunk Railway bridge at Fish Point, a
distance of about 1900 feet, of which 1000 feet
is filled solid and the balance is pile trestle.
The Portland & Rochester r. r. Company
have occupied it with track since 1875, and
estimate that about 1909 loaded cars have
passed over it annually. One-third of this
number pass to and from Commercial street
and the wharves ON said street, and the bal
ance are unloaded on Back Cove or go to
points reached by the P. & r. On all cars to
and from Commercial street, where freight
rates are made to Preble street depot no charge
is made, except what has been paid out to the
Grand Trunk road for hauling said cars from
the transfer to Commercial street and the
wharves as follows, yiz:-For cars going on to
Commercial street, 81; and for cars going to
wharves or do, 50 per car-no charge being
made from Prebe street depot over Marginal
Way.
At the time of the construction of the Mar
ginal Way it was believed that a charge could
be made on this traffic, over that paid to the
Grand Trunk; but it was found that when
more than $3.50 per was charged that the
merchandise would be haul ed by teams.
The length of the MarginalWay is about the
same as Commercial street between the Grand
Trunk and Eastern depots, these roads charge
their patrons 81 90 per car, which charge seems
to give some idea of the value of the service
due, which if applied to the Marginal Way
would be divided, between the city for the use
of the street, and the railroad for use of the
track and operating the same. The question
of repairs and maintenance of the street,
whether to be done by the city or not, must
also be taken into consideration. Heretofore,
the railroad has made all repairs at an expense
of about $500 yearly for earth, stone, pile and
timber. Yours respectfully,
GEO. p. WEscoTT, Receiver.
The following order was then passed:
That the Portland and Rochester railroad
be allowed to use the Marginal Way until
otherwise ordered upon the following terms
and conditions: said railroad shall pay for the
use of said way, into the city treasury the sum
of two hundred and fifty dollars semi-annually
OF the first days of January and July in each
year while this order shall be in force. The
first payment to be made on the first day of
January, A. D., 1882, which shall be for the
then proceeding six months.
And in addition to said payments said rail-
road shall keep said way in as good condition
as it now is, by maintaining the present width
and grade, driving piles, filling in earth and
stone as may be needed, and making all other
necessary repairs and renewals that may be
required from time to time. All to be done to
the approval of the committee on streets, side
walks and bridges.
THE POLICE QUESTION.
Alderman Deering called for the report OF
the police committee, to whom was referred
the matter of the pay sof sick policemen, but
the Mayor did not understand that report
was needed. He asked for information and
got it, and thought that ended the matter. The
committee on police had attended to the matter
and, did not expect to be obliged to make re-
port.
Alderman Deering also understood that there
were several policemen on the force who should
not be there, and that matter must be looked
into. He introduced an order for the city mar
shall to report all such cases, which was amend
ed by Alderman Chapman to read especial
policemen The order as amended is as fol
lows:
That the city marshal report TO the board Of
| Aldermen the name or names of any specia
policemen who have been or who are now CON
tinued on the police force. whose term OF office
expired October LIST, 1881, and by whose autho-
rity such policemen, If any, are continued ir
office.
In the matter of the pay of the policemen
| Alderman Chapman thought the matter should
| be settled and moved its reference to the com
mittee ON police, with power.
Alderman Deering objected to this, but on
yea and nay vote, the motion was passed by
vote of to 2; Aldermen Deering and Wins
low voting in the negative.
| ORDERS PASSED.
| That the commissioner of streets be author
| lied to contract with Mrs. Nancy L. Lanergal
| for the moving of the house on North stree
back to the street line, the expense not to ex
coed $500, the amount to be charged to tn
contingent fund.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
OF Mary Boreland for damages to person
caused by stepping ON broken plank on For
street.
OF Portland Stove Foundry Company fo
permission to erect platform scale at thei
foundry on Lincoln street.
OF Joseph Littlejohn and DANES Trott for
drain at Peaks Island. Referred with power
IN COMMON COUNCIL.
Papers from the upper board passed in COZ
currence.
Mr.. Pennell, from the committee on street.
sidewalks and bridges, presented the report 0
Mr.. Marr's order in reference to the Margin;
Way, together with communication frol
Geo. P. Wescott, receiver of the Portland
Rochester road, and an order in. reference I
the same The report and communicate
were accepted, and the order passed and W;
sent up. They will be found elsewhere.
President Thurston called for the reports
the chairman of the standing committees Tt
most of these reports were not ready and wei
laid over until the next monthly meetin
Some of the committees reported PARTIAL
Mr.. Mari, from the committee on account
reported that accounts presented had bee
audited and he presumed paid. Mr.. Melch
from the committee on finance reported Il
only business that had come before their cor