The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-02-26
THE COUNTY BUILDINGS.
An Interesting Letter from Florida.

An Interesting Letter from Florida
WOODSTOCK, Florida.
Mr.. EDIToR:-I have read with much pleas
ure the accounts of the proceedings at the ded-
ication of the rooms to be occupied by the
Maine Historical Society in the City Building.
The paper read by Hon. VIM Goold, on the
history of the County buildings, was to me
very Interesting document, more so because
some OF the matters therein related belonging
to later years. I am familiar with A few ad-
dltions and corrections of this history may be
worthy of being made.
After the city received possession of the
State House, vacated by the removal of the
seat OF Government to Augusta, they did not
occupy it for municipal purposes until some
years after. The city offices were in the old
City Hall, where they remained till the Port
land Exchange was built, when they were re-
moved there. The old State House was par
TALLY unoccupied except for temporary pur-
poses. The rooms on the lower floor were
rented for offices. In 1914 the city leased the
Senate chamber for q term of years to the en-
dependent Order of Rechabites," the first of
the secret temperance organizations formed in
Portland. 1t comprised among its members
some OF the prominent temperance men of the
city. The order had numerous branches over
the State, and for many years was flourish
institution. But it has entirely died out in
Maine, although existant in other parts of the
country. After the sale of the Exchange to
fHa Init I'D fo+o 60, TT
in 1849 made alterations in the old State House
sufficient to accommodate the City Govern
ment. The basement was fitted for a police
station. The lower floor contained the offices
OF the Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer, Assessors
and School Committee. The Rechabite Hall
was used for the sessions of the City Council.
The city departments were thus very well ac-
commodated till the erection of the new city
and county buildings in 1S58-60. The room in
The brick Court House used for a Municipal
Court, and over which Judge Fitch presided
for long time, having become necessary for
additional accommodations tor the Probate
Court, wooden two story building was built
on Myrtle street by the county. The first floor
was used for a Municipal Court and Recorders
Office. The upper story for the County Treasur-
er's office. &c. This building became the prop
erty of the city, and in 1858 was removed to
Vaughan street, and made into school house,
and used as such till the new brick one was
erected.
The old jail which is so graphically described
by Mr.. Goold, contained previous to its de-
Structlon many prisoners. Some of them were
removed to the House of Correction at the
Aims House, where they broke Jail. The
most important ones were trar sferred to Au-
burn Jail. Among them the two sailors, white
and black, who had been convicted in the U.
s. Court of murder on the high seas They
were hung at Auburn in the fail of that year
in the yard adjoining the Court House, in the
open sight of large crowd of spectators. The
demolition of our jail at that time saved Port
land ALI exhibition of that disgusting spectacle
OF "a public execution" In 1857, under Mayor
Wlllls's administration, the construction of
the new City and county buildings was decided
upon, plans adopted, sc. Mayor Willis was
fully aware OF the importance of new and in
creased accommodations for the city and coun-
ty, but was opposed to any large expenditure
Tor that purpose; and in that view he was sus-
tanned by the City Council. The Board of AL
dermen for that year comprised the names of
Samuel X. Leavitt Daniel W. Fessenden, Ma
thaniel j. Miller, Rufus E. Wood, Elisha
IroWbridge, Rensselaer, Cram, Samuel E.
Spring. A stronger board, and more watchful
OF the city's interest has never existed in Port
lands municipality. The plans adopted called
for the remodelling Of the Court House, an adj
dltlon for the city's rise to extend to Myrtle
street, the whole to cost $4,000 to $4,000. 1
well remember remark made by Mayor
Willis at that time, ''That he was gratifed to
know that the city and county was to be so
well accommodated at so moderate cost"
The next City Council, of Mayor Jewett's adj
ministration, became convinced that finer
building with more spacious accommodations
was necessary, and they made corresponding
changes in the plans as stated by Mr.. Goold.
These changes were made from time to time,
one change suggesting another. Enlarged
space was given for what were supposed to be
sufficient rooms for the use of the State Gov
eminent, in case the capital was removed to
Portland
The result was the erection of an elegant
edihce, an ornament to the city. although at
a much increased cost from the original in
tentions. The work was done by the day, un-
der the direction of subcommittee Of the
City Council, Sewall c. Chase and Charles r
Frost superintendent. The workmen en-
ployed were paid weekly at the Treasurers
office. The corner stone was laid Feb. 4, 1858,
at the junction OF Myrtle and Congress streets
win Masonic ceremonies, and the erection OF
the side wall commenced. 1t was then deemed
expedient to widen Myrtle street and to extend
the building westerly. For this purpose it be-
came necessary to purchase the Emery lot.
which was done at cost of $1,000. Judge
Emery, by reason of impaired intellect, being
unable to execute the necessary deeds, they
were given by his presumptive heirs
Ihe commencement of the work was in 1858
under Republican administration. The COM
pletlon was in 1860 under a Democratic city
government. The supposed extravaganza in
expen iltures by Mayor Jewett and the City
Council caused political change, which re-
suited in the election of Mayor Howard and
city government of the same political faith.
The payments for the expenditures in the
construction of the city and county buildings
were made by the sale of mortgage bonds OF
the Atlantic & st. Lawrence r. R. Coin
which the proceeds of the sale of the Port
land Exchange were invested, and VIII CHI were
sold by the city at So per cent.-and by sale of
city bonds.
The seat of government remained at Angus
ia, Kennebec really being more powerful than
Cumberland county, and the large amounts
expended in providing State accommodations
by the city were by many supposed to have
been foolishly spent, but the situation now
shows that there is hardly necessary room for
the increased business of the city and county.
The accommodations and capabilities of the
building were greatly felt during the war; when
its rooms, corridors and halls were appropriated
for the use of the nations defenders" the
"boys in blue" No place in the country had
such convenences for the care of soldiers as
was afforded under the dome of our mag
nifcent City Hall.
Previous to the commencement of the erec-
ton of the new city buildings the old State
House was moved across the street to the lot
bryant lott on the corner of Market and Con-
gress streets, which the city a year previous
had purchased of John M. Wood, where it was
used for city offices. At the visit of the Ca
madam military in 1859, Mayor Jewett made a
welcome address to them from q platform
erected outside of the window of the mayors
| office.
| Tho nolion oourt nd ofioa oooun;oJ tho old