The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-06


we then operated, and il we had at once start
ed upon the erection OF shops suitable for our
thensroad we should have found them by this
time inadequate for our needs
do not think from what know OF the pro-
grsss that has been made that any damage has
resulted to Portland by the delay and l feel
quite sure that the interests of the city have
not been lost sight of in what has been done.
am, yours truly,
PAYsoN TUCKER,
General Manager
OTHER MATTERS.
The order which came from the Common
Council that the auditor should audit reports
of committees every other month, was after
some discussion laid on the table.
An invitation to the City Council from the
committee of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen to attend their annual ball and band
concert at City Hall on Thursday, November
22d. was received and accepted.
Some amusement was created by the dicov-
cry by Alderman Winsow Of charge for NOR
tar in a claim for money expended in laying a
sidewalk.
A little discussion arose upon the ing of
tLesdeeds of lands sold by the city to certain
parties The opinion OF the city solicitor wss
asked by Alderman Melcher and was given to
the effect thatthe interest Of the city as intend
ed to be guarded by the committee was sufi-
ciently protected. An explanation Of the or
der appropriating certain extra moneys to the
assistant assessors was given by the Mayor.
I'm Joint Convention.
Oakley @. Curtis and George T. Ingr aham
were elected weighers of coal.
His Honor then stated that the matter of
changing our time to conform to the new stan
dard was to be considered and introduced to
the convention Mr.. j. Rayner Edmands,
in charge of the time division of Cambridge
Observatory
Mr.. Edmands said he purposed making no
extended remarks. The matter of change of
time had heen brought to our attention by the
railroads. Scientific men had often discussed
the advantages which such change would
result in, but the railroads had recently given
a practical turn to the discussion. The speaker
then illustrated by means OF large map the
changes which were proposed. and the great
benefits which would result when there should
be but four different hours for time throughout
the United States. The minute hands of our
watches will then be coincident with each
other, and If in Europe they give up their
petty meridians, as there is some talk of
doing, We would have the minute hands of
watches alike nearly round the world
OF courss objections to the change are
raised, but they are readily answered, and
generally to the satisfaction of the objector.
The railroads will change on November IS,
that is certain. There is also a very general
movement in its favor throughout the country.
The coast survey, the signal service, the rail-
way mail service, and the Navy Department
have all accepted the new time and will be
governed by it after November 18th. The
city of Washington has voted to adopt the
change, and Boston has passed an order to that
effect, but is TO give public hearing in order
that the obiectors to the change may fully
state their grounds of opposition.
If Portland adopts the new standard, other
cities and towns in the State will undoubtedly
follow its example. AS the railroads are sure
to change, much inconvenience will result if
the cities delay in the matter, and they will be
quite likely to slowly adopt the new standard.
Mr.. Edmands stated, in conclusion
that perhaps questions asked by any who had
felt difficulty about the change or desired in
formation in the matter would bring ont the
subject more clearly, and he would give an
opportunity for any one to ask questions.
No one availed himself of this invitation
however, and the convention was forthwith
dissolved.
In Common Council.
Absent, Messrs Comedian, Russell, Fogg
and Shaw.
Records of the last monthly meeting were
read and approved.
ORDERS PASSED AND SENT UP.
That the Treasurer give deeds to Sylvanus
the westerly side of "B' street, at cents a
foot; to d. W. LeLachsur. Of lot on Arsenal
street, 3713 square feet at 81 It's foot; to A.
Il. Emerson, corner of "a" and "B" streets,
6161 square feet at cents foot; and to A. L.
Turner, lot on Gilman street, 1894 feet at 6
cents a foot.
That the Auditor report to the City Council
at the regular meetings of the Councilin May,
the amount OF each appropriation, the amount
OF each expended, and the amount remaining
to the credit of each appropriation.
Mr.. Noyes explained the order presented by
him in regard to theAuditor, stating that, by the
rules and orders, the chairman of each COM
mittee was ordered every two months to re-
port the condition of his committee appropria-
tions, but as, during his experience in the City
Council, it was difficult to obtain these reports,
the order he offered would make it practically
easy to do so. In the upper board the order
was tabled.
President Kelsey offered the bill of the Gen.
trail Wharf Tow Boat Co., for the services of
the tug Belknap, May Both and Nov. 9th, 1882,
a,,oount;no tn Ct 700 The hill waa rafarrad to
the next City Council and sent up.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
Mr.. Noyes offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Mayor be, and is hereby
requested TO remove the electric light from the
Council room.
Mr.. Turner, from the committee on public
buildings, explained that the light was simply
on trial, as IN experiment. There had been
no arrangement made to keep it in the room.
Mr.. Marr thought the Council were on trial
rather than the light. Its effect on his eyes
was very trying.
Mr.. Denison thought the light nuisance.
Mr.. Noyes said if the light was put in as an
experiment, he would, the Council permitting,
withdraw his resolution, bat he hoped the
committee would understand the experiment
had been tried.
The Council permitting, the resolution was
withdrawn.
Papers from the upper board passed in con-
currence.
A newspaper correspondent who has lately
seen Cetywayo reports that the king has re.
covered from his wounds, but that he is in
very gloomy frame of mind. He has no army,