The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-15

changes were called for, but want of means
prevented compliance with the request.
A most desirable end to be obtained is har-
mony among the members and companies.
SCHOOLS.
Our schools are in excellent condition.
They are what might and should be expected
from large appropriations, good management
of the board and of the superintendent, and
the devotion of faithful teachers.
A new school house is approaching COM
pletion, and the room it affords is much
reeded. The school committee in their report
allude to alterations in the plans for which they
are not responsible. The committee on public
buildings made only such changes as were
needed to keep within the appropriation. The
rooms are now, as reduced, the largest ever
constructed in this city. The exhibition hall
is not so deliberately lighted as was originally
planned. but sufficiently So The heating is
the same as in the High, Chestnut street and
North schools. 1t is to be hoped that we
shall not have to build another school house
for many years. With the additional expense
of the new school house it is probable that the
school appropriation will not exceed that of
last year. as the need of large repairs does not
exist.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The plans of our city engineer for our prom
enades and parks, should early receive atten-
ton of the city council. The plans should
be decided upon. Then, however small the
amount WHICH the city council considers adj
equate for their preservation or improvement,
1t would be expended where all the accumu-
lated work would avail to the proposed end.
renew my suggestions of last year for a
commission instead of our yearly appointed
committee for the care of our parks and public
| grounds.
ALMSHOUSE.
| Our almshouse escapes the increasing ex-
| pense, and constant requests for larger appro-
! priations which have characterized some other
| departments. AS the overseers hold for three
| years, opportunity is afforded for experience
| to be gained and practised by the members.
| The institution shows good management by
the board and in the house. Capable paupers
do not remain there, for they are required to
work, if able so to do.
By the industry and watchfulness of the
secretary, Mr.. Baker, we have to provide only
for our own paupers. Portland cheerfully
provides for these, but objects to afford free
board for such as belong elsewhere.
Not single case for the pest house has oc-
| CURED during the past year.
| We hope the day is not distant when the
| improved value of the city's land occupied by
this department will lead to its sale, and
change of location for the almshouse.
POLICE.
The past year has been quite an orderly one.
The marshaps report shows reduction in the
number of arrests for violation of the laws and
ordinances. The police have been character
lied by good order and discipline. But few
complaints have been made against the force
for dereiction improperly, by any ag-
grieved citizen. They were promptly cor
rected The policeman who faithfully labors
for the welfare of the city, and reports all cases
requiring attention, which are beyond his
control, to the proper authorities making it
his duty to have municipal laws and regula-
tons enforced, is very useful officer.
PORTLAND AND oGDENsBURG RAILROAD.
In order that the city might be on equal
terms with the owners of bonds of the Port
land and Ogdensburg Railroad Company, it has
been made, by a vote of the stockholders,
absolute owner of the $1,350,000 in bonds,
which it held as collateral. This step may
not have been absolutely necessary but the
city council thought it safer for the city's in
terest in the road, that the change should be
made. Some owners OF portion of the
bonds, of the same class as those held by the
city, have moved, in the United States court,
in New Hampshire, to have change of man
agement made in the business of the road.
Apprehensive that change may be to our dis
advantage, the city council ordered the Mayor
to employ counsel to protect our interest.
The case will come up in the May term. The
road is improving in value, and it is not be-
lieved to be expedient to make haste about
any disposal of the city's interest in it.
GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY COMPANY.
In1S57-S bonds to the amount of $7S7 900 due
the city from the Atlantic and st. Lawrence
railway company matured. The railway COM
pany desired an extension of time. They could
have issued their own bonds in which case,
they would have had to pay government rev.
enue tax, and their bonds would not command
so good price as Portland bonds. A con-
tract was made with the city, by which under
legislative authority, the city issued 1887, 900
of city bonds, payable in twenty years with
semi annual interest, and received the obliga-
ton of the Atlantic and ST. Lawrence railway
company (now the Grand Trunk) to pay this
amount under certain conditions provided for
by the act of the legislature. The condi-
tons were that in addition to semi annual in
terest at 6 per cent specified sum should be
paid annually, which sum, with accumulated
interest, should constitute sinking fund,
which would be equal to the Indebtedness of
! $4,000 in twenty years, VIZ: in 1873.
| And it was further specified in order to the
fulflment of the terms of the contract, that
when the amount in the sinking fund, as above
provided for, shall be equal to the deb t. it
shall be received by the city in full pay ment
The Grand Trunk company assume the
right to make the sinking fund equal to the
debt at their option, and have paid the amount
to the commissioners of that fund, and claim
that they have performed their obligations.
But as the city bonds issued for their benefit
do not mature for several years and the inter-
est that can be derived from the money so
paid will not be adequate to provide for the
city coupons as they mature, it is not consid-
cred that the railway company fully discharge
their obligation with the city by this payment
to the sinking fund, and the city council have
declined to accept the amount in discharge of
the railway company's obligation.
| 1t is to be hoped that this business will be
satisfactorily adjusted without disturbance of
the friendly relations that have so long sub
sisted between the city and the corporation.
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
The large additions made to Evergreen
cemetery from time to time, without cores
ponding improved methods in management to
meet the conditions, led to considerable con-
fusion in its affairs. During the past year, the
ordinances relaIlnS TO IL nave Deen revised
and changed to meet present and future needs.
| The maps of the grounds have been made COM
| plete in every respect by our city engineer
The whole business management has been re-
vised by the trustees. Order and system
mark its present condition. The great i'm
provement in the grounds and their marked
| good order, with the addition of the much
needed water supply are most creditable and
well appreciated. This institution receives
more gratuitous labor than any other branch
of the city affairs. 1t is to be hoped that the
demands upon the city for aid will soon cease,
and that this department will be self support
ing.
MILITARY.
By the laws of the State our city is. re-
quired to furnish suitable accommodation for
meeting, drill and equipage of each military
company. for which we are to receive from the