Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-03-21

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.hey nad to do with-they are the right men
~ .ne right places, hut give them better ia.
i',es 1or transporting hose, by all means.
we nave purchased 900 feet of hose the past
year, and the department is verv well sup-
piied: Gentlemen of the Board, before elect
ing the officers of the department., be sure
.hat every officer is acceptable to the MEM
oers OF the department. Our Fire Department
Is composed OF intelligent men, and to follow
tneir , wishes in the selection of officers, YOU
,,n iii una safe rule to be guiied by. By
Piacihg an officer over the firemen that they
10 not want, Is merely sowing dissension in
'neir ranks, to the detriment OF the efficiency
OF the department
Our SCHOOLS.
Our common schools. nnder the supervision
~. L. Fletcher, Esq, have made commen-
dable progress during the past wear. School
districts Nos. |, 20 and &c, have been con-
solidated under the name of the Williams
district, and is so graded that its pupils can
De there fitted for the High school, The grade
IS the same as the Grammar school in the viii
iage district. This arrangement seems to
give good satisfaction and trust is a step in
the right direction.
Our new City High school building. on
the east side Of the river, was completed last
summer, and occupied last fall it has proved
70 be all that its projectors claimed for il.
Our efficient principal, G. b. Files, Esq. en-
tered upon his duties in the new building
with renewed zeal and courage The school
Is better equipped than the old one, and
greater progress has been made since the
change Our High school now ranks among
the foremost in the State. After the building
was completed the city graded the grounds
around 1t, and when the grass starts up this
spring, the building and its surroundings can
ho1 but look very attractive, and be an orna-
ment to the city. The character of the PRINCIPAL
! and subordinate teachers, as well as the
known ability of the committee on City High
school, Is full guarantee that our High
school Will maintain its present high standing
The Grammar school in the village district
| was never in SO prosperous a condition as at
| the present time. The removing of the High
school to the east side of the river gave the
| 'Irammar school more commOdiOus quarters
| Many needed changes have been made in the
| interior of the building, and it is now heated
ny steam. which is vast Improvement over
| the furnace arrangement. which never gave
satisfaction. Mr.. Robertson has embellished
the walls with pictures. and made valuable
additions to the library during the year. The
village district is fortunate indeed, to have
the services of so able teacher as Mr.. Rob-
Sit>oh, He is TlcHlS enuOWeu Dy nature with
those qualities which are essential for an eff
cient teacher
All of our schools are ably managed, and
| are an honor to the city.
Poor DEPARTMENT.
The Board of Overseers have ably man
aged the affairs of the Poor Department
during the past year. The calls for as
sistance have been larger in number than
| NAL ,,l,. 4 II
mills, yet the Overseers have kept the ex-
penses within the appropriation.
Mr.. Turner and wife have conducted the
affairs at the farm in very satisfactory
manner, and | hope they will he induced to
take charge of the farm another year.
There is no department in the city that
needs more careful management than the
Poor Department. Without strict watchful-
ness on the part of the Overseers, it would be
very easy to double the expenses of the De-
partment. 1t is but few years stree the
expenditures were from 5000 to $1,000 and
over per year. The reduction in expendi-
lures in this department is high tribute to
the Overseers during the past few years.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
That our Police Department takes rank
among the most efficient in the State, all our
citizens, | think will c0ncede. City Marshal
White possesses. in large degree, those
qualities necessary for successful admins
tration of the important and delicate duties
incumbent upon him. He is a good Judge of
human nature, and in quiet, gentlemanly
and unobtrusive way, will accomplish more
towards keeping good order, than half dozen
rash, impetuous men could possibly accom-
plish. During the past year our city las
been more orderly, and there has been less
drunkenness than in any year during the %
that have resided here. Great credit is also
due to Deputy Marshal Breen and policemen
Thorndike TYLER and Gaslin, for the efficient
manner in which they have universally dis
charged their official duties No change in
the force is demanded by our citizens. and !
hope. Gentlemen of the Board, that you Will
continue the Department under its present
efficient leader Our Police Department is
inferior to none in the State-let us keep it
up to its present high standard
Orr LAW SUITS.
Citv Solicitor Choate reports but three cases
now pending. namely:
('itv of Augusta vs.. Oliver Moulton.
same VS.. same
A. H. Howard vs.. City OF Augusta
The frst-named case is before the Law
Court for determination, and the other
awaits the result. Unless new cases arise.
the prospect is that at the close of the pres
emf municipal wear the city will be free from
claw suits" Solicitor Choate has proved an
efficient officer, and has given general salts
faction.
PrRIIc LIBRARY AND READING Room.
You are well aware, gentlemen. that the
late L. W. Lithgow. Esq made bequest OF
500 600 to the city of Augusta, on certain
conditions. One condition was. that the city
would establish and perpetually maintain
public library and reading room. Another
copd;,;on was. that the city would receive the
500. 600 and forever keep the principal invio-
late. and paw interest on the same at the rate
% he layo,ed to sustaining and improving the
library and reading room. The city accepted
the trust on the conditions named, and have
e'ected a Board of Trustees to carry our
those conditions. The Mayor. -ofhcio' Is
member of the Board. and the other members
elected are Hon. J. W. Bradbury, VIM. X
smith. ESD. Hon. J. Manchester Haynes;
and Herbert NJ Heath. ESQ.,. The Board OF
| -C,,oos have organized bv the choice oi