The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-21

Walker and Mr.. Little. Although the night carts
had considerable to do with the smell. he thought
that the deposit in the bay that Dr. Weeks referred
to had something to do with it Also There is de-
post in there that don't wash away but remains on
those flats. Friday evening on his return home
from Boston. he mad noticed stencil that was al
most intolerable. he attributed it to the Back Bay
and he could distinguish the difference between the
odor OF Back Bay and the odor of night cart. AS
there had been many rains this season. theleVil was
greater AS citizen, he would protest against ex-
tending the present sewers. 1t might do for short
time but the smell would all come back. COM
petent engineer mad told him that the cost of tide
gates would be 100000. In large foreign cities
the sewers emptied into the tide water and he was
OF opinion that the same thing should be brought
about here In putting in tide gates there must be
a bottom piece to keep the water in and when this
is done some of the deposit will still remain In
1858, he was in Copenhagen for couple of days
and the cholera was at its height there. The city
was extremely filthy and the odor from the bay on
Friday night reminded him of that smell.
Edward A. Chase, a resident of Franklin street
below Lincoln, gave full description of the flats
contrasting their condition IN times past with their
appearance at present. He was familiar with all
parts of the bay he had ished on it copsiderabe
His business in the front part of the civ and
some time ago the merchants there complained Of
the smell of sewer in that vicinity and the smell
was similar TO me one coming from the Back BAY.
His family had had much sickness He conld as
sure the committee that the smell was not a PRIV
vault SMELL but IL came from the bay Boats paint
ed white were dissolored on being left near the
sewer outlets might. Dogs and cats were
drowned there, and their bodies lay decomposng.
WlLlam Alien, Jr., said that he had resided in
this city for twenty-five years. In his locality the
stencil was so Objectionable that constant precau-
IONS were Tag en- Something must be done. If the
Guy government don't give relief there won't be
one man reelected from Mayor down. HaughterO
he mad experienced the same thing /as ex-Mayor
Deerlng had Friday night. The public would be
astounded when they heard him say that there ia
evidence that there are parties who have had per-
mission by this and other City Governments to
empty their night carts in Back Bay at behring's
br1dge, providing the contents were watery matter
NOW Wnen business is rushing there may be lot of
stun not water emptied there He requested that
deputy Marshal Black be sent for to give some
facts. Damming in the bay would not be good.
Mayor King ASKED Deputy Marshal CrowelI If
permits had ever been given to any one to empty
night carts at Deering bridge Mr. Crowell renlied
that none had been given to his knowledge
Inc Mayor said no permit for that purpose had been
gwen with his consent or knowledge CITY Marshal
DeCeLe who was present rose ana said that no per-
init had been given by him. Ex-Mayor Deerine
sala tnat no such permission was given during his
Mr.. William Allen then and later insisted on
having capt. Black sent for The Mayor said he
noagat tne den al OF every officer who had author
lty III the premises was a sufficient answer to Mr.
Allen. IL Capt. Black had given anylsuch permis-
sion he had done it without authority
Capt. Crowell said he Thought he could explain
Inc matter. Some time ago one of the carts dump
ed It's load Off Tukeys bridge. Complaint was in
me1ately made and the contractor was forbidden
City Engineer Goodwin being invited said he
thought the remedy would be an intercepting sewer
ont 10 Iqkeys bridge with shoot out into the tide
water. Ii sewer of this kind did not do any good
tneh must be run into the bay and reservoir built
there from which the sewerage could be pumped
inbo the eoD tide. member of the coast survey
had informed him that half tide gates would moi he
practical remedy. He himself had been around
Ie cove Tor dozen years; but he thought the great
est odor ca ne from the night carts Nine hundred
dead bodies of animals had been found on the flats
of Back bay and buried in a single wear,
Or. Burr thought that there was great differ
ence or opinion as to the of the odor Years
ago he had practced in the western part of the city
ano there was much sickness then, but no com
PANT nj mad ever been ade about the bay Parts of
Gne land Were low and not well drained. He adyis-
ea some patients to move to other part of the
city. he hoped the excitement would not die out
until something accomplished
Mayor King asked him how the death rate of 9th
er clues compared with that of Portland and the
Doctor o replied that there were few cities whose
aeath rates were less, but the rate in Portland was
not high one Considering the city's saubrious sit
uation the rate ought to be very low.
M. Alien, OF the committee, asked if any one
could say whether the smell is ever exp erienced by
people nVlng on the opposite side of the cove.
!, M, Chase answered that while living in Deering
he had noticed 1t two three times
MIR. j. l.. Farmer said that in his early Gays tn ere
Were great many CLANS and mussels on the fats
and perhaps the smell came from the accommodation
OF these substances; bu he thought it more proba.
bic that 1g came from the soil carts and recon-.
mended that the city purchase an odoriess Balti-
more machine and make contract with some one
10 DO the work 1t could be done by day as well as
by night and ten times as quick.
Mr.. Chase asked: why is it that we get this
smell only when the tide is out? Do the night
Charles f. Littlefeld of 1874 Lincoln street said
that If the committee would stay at his house over
night they would be convinced that the smell came
from the bay.
Ex-Councilman Jor an said that he lived on Han
over street. ana when the tide was high it affected
him the worst.
J. b. Coyle Jr. said that he was one of the
afflicted ctizsus, but he differed with Mr. Jordan
| as he smet The bay at low wa er.
Mayor King asked him in regard to the sewer at
Franklin wharf, and he said that the odor at that
place was similar TO that he perceived in the even
ing. ne thought the smell from the flats was viler
The thing is disgrace to the city. He believed the
taxpayers we're willing to stand the expense neces
| sary to abate the nuisance
Hon. j. J. Perry said that he had lived hel ter
years, having come from the country, where they
| had good air. We don't get this smell unless the
fae Is out. us OF no use to talk; the smell comes
| dition of things is tolerated.
Dr. Buzzell said that he hoped this matter WoulC
not enc IN tax 1t is very evident that our santa
ry condition is not perfect He would suggest thai
qualified persons be requested to give information
| how the state of affairs can be improved
| Mr.. Morrison suggested the idea of examining
| the docks.
! Mr.. True said that when the tide was out a kind
| of gas would bubble up His boat had been discol
orea oy It. AS the tide goes out, the smell come
from the sewer, and the same smell filled cui
homes: He was citizen of Portland, and h,
wished that something could be done.
j. b. Matthews said that this odor has been in
| creasing for 20 years, and it was dangerous. Ht
urged the city of Portland to look after the matter
M In reply to question put by DR.. DANA Mr.
| both sides of the city.
William Shaw thought it would be well to con
tinue the "box drain" up to the work house.
Washington Libby thought that too much hat
| been said about Back Bay. He believed that tn
sewer ought to be extended so that the depreciation
| of property be stopped.
| In reply to a question from Mr.. Jordan of the
| con- mittee, Mr. Libby said that it is almost mpos
| sible to let a building on Lincoln street.
| Mr.. w. B. Smith said that where in the Back Bal
| a few years ago there were eight nine feet O.
water, there now not thai Is inches. Bacl
| Bay is vast open cess-pool and sooner or late
there will be nice job in cleaning it out. For tn
first time he found himself in accord with ex- Mayo
Deering, and is in favor of extending the sewers tt
| the ocean.
James Staples did not agree with those who be
lieve that the evil smell is caused by night carts
| He laid the blame on the Back Bay.
The committee then adjourned subject to the cal