The Portland daily press., 1886-01-23
the SKATING Kinks.
Continuation of the Hearing Upon
the cIergymen's Petition.
Testimony introduced for and
Against the Kinks.

the Ct6fkyTISU FOttSIOti'
Testimony Introduced for and
Against the Kinks.
Interest in the question Of the suppression
of the skating rinks has grown during the
past week, and early last evening a large
number of citizens gathered in the Alder
mems room to hear the proceedings at the
adjourned hearing upon the clergymen's pc
tition for the revocation of the licenses
granted to the skating rinks..
When the Aldermen came in, every seat in
the room was occupied, many were standing,
and still more were unable to obtain an en-
trance to the room.
Among the clergymen in attendance were
Rev. DR.. Bashford, Rev. F. 7. Bayley, Rev.
E. T. Adams Rev. FL. P. Winter and Rev. L.
II. Hallock.
Mayor Deering called the Board to order,
all of whom were present, and stated that at
the last meeting the petitioners had been
heard. At this meeting the remonstrants
would be heard first, and the petitioners
would afterwards be given chance to add
anything they might wish to say.
Alderman Noyes called attention to the
condition of the horse car tracks, and
thought hearing should be granted to as
| certain the views of the citizens in regard to
| digging them out.
| Mayor Deering stated that he had changed
his position since learning of the great num-
| Der who use the cars Between 5000 and
| 1900 persons rode in the cars on both
Wednesday and Thursday, or about one
trutir ~s thn nnnnlatinn of tho city
| 1t was voted that hearing be granted
THE CONGRESS RINK.
Clarence Hale, Esq, counsel for the
| Congress Skating Rink, said that he should
| present petition and would afterwards call
certain witnesses. The following is the pc
| tition:
To the Honorable the Board of Mayor and Alder
| men of the City Of Portland:
We, the undersigned citizens of the city OF
Portland, respectfully represent that we are ac-
| quainted with the Congress Skating Rink, owned
| and occupied by Groves & Conway and that we
| are familiar with the method of operating said
rink, and with the roller skating in said rink and
| all the amusements in said rink. We hereby al
| manner without disorder and in entire accord
ance with morality and that it is promptly closed
| at or before 10 O'Clock each evening. We there
fore pray that the license for this rink be con-
| tinued.
Alderman Noyes said that he had a petit
| ton from residents in his ward which he
| would present without comment. He then
read petition signed by "a large number of
the residents of Wards Six and Seven, ask
ing that the license granted to the Falmouth
Rink be continued. The petition was re-
ceived and ordered on file.
Mr.. Hale then unrolled his petition which
| extended nearly across the room. The petit
tion was measured with the one introduced
by Alderman Noyes amid considerable mer-
riment. The petitions were of nearly the
same length.
Mr.. Hale then said that that was petition
of residents and property holders in the vi
cinity of the rink represented by him, who
were conversant with the method of con-
Quoting it. He then read second petition
praying that the license OF the rink be con-
tinued, and signed by Hon. Charles Nc
Laughlin and 13S others.
Mr.. Groves, one of the proprietorS OF the
Congress Rink, was called by Mr.. Hale, and
testified that he owned the rink is partner
ship with Joseph Conway. The rink has
been run over two years and has had over
800 sessions. The rink is under the personal
supervision of witness, who keeps the best
of order. The patrons have averaged about
100 Disorderly persons are removed and
the police regulations are observed to the
witness property is invested in the rink.
Witness thought the running of the rink
agreeable to the people signing his petition
and living in the vicinity, or they would not
have put their names to it, The rink has
been closed regularly at ten o'clock with five
exceptions, when 1t has been kept open
short time longer, under permission from
the marshal. The witness would be glad to
hear any complaint against the rink.
Alderman Birnis asked if Mr.. Groves could |
state how many of the 500 persons signing |
~ , oye5s lEesidents sas Of Ward One.
In reply to question: rom l..s.ea .ss.y ~. Dus
lagher witness said two thirds of the sign
cas- of his petition were ,frequenterS OF the
rink, but could not state how many lived in
the ward. The petition contained the names
of prominent property holders in the vicinity.
Mr.. G. d. Richards was next called and
examined by Mr.. Hale.
On the suggestion of the Mayor, and mo-
ton Of Alderman Birnie, the witness was
sworn.
Mr.. Richards testified to owning property
in the vicinity of Congress rink, and know
ing of how it was conducted. The rink
has been quiet and patronized by the neigh
bOrs. Mr. Richards never saw anything out |
of the way there and regarded it as proper |
place OF amusement.
In reply to questions by Alderman Gal |
lagher Mr.. Richards said that he had been |
in the rink to see what was going on there |
and had done some carpentering work there. |
Mayor Deering said that the witness was
an adept at his trade and was famous for |
building liquor traps. The witness admitted |
such to be the fact and said that he did any |
honest work to obtain an honest living. He |
then said that he would like to ask the Mayor |
some questions, but His Honor promptly re- |
minded him that this was not the place for |
such proceeding.
E. M. Greeley Of Quebec street testified to
being property owner, an occasional |
visitant at Congress rink and to having no |
objection to its continuance.
Frank Nelson of 8S Wilmot street testified |
to being at the rink nearly every night, and |
at present every afternoon in addition. He |
thought the rink properly conducted.
Alderman Gallagher asked if witness was |
an employe at the rink. Witness said he |
had been an aid there for six months.
J. P. Corrigan was called. He lives with |
Mr.. Groves and works for him. Thinks the |
rink properly conducted. Mr. Groves stops |
all disturbance as soon as he gets MS eye |
on it," Witness is employed about the rink. |
Edward Starbird, 80 Lafayette street, was
next called. Has been aid at the rink for |
year and half, and as far as he could see, |
the rink was conducted in first class style. |
Could not say disorderly persons had been |
expelled. Mr.. Groves has personal superyl-
sion of the rink.
John Chisholm, Jr., AZ Howard street, |
printer by trade, testified to seeing the Con- /
gress rink frequently and knowing how It Is
conducted. He considered it an orderly place |
and as a resident of the Hill desired the |
license continued. He has never been EN-
ployed in the rink. Has been to the rink |
frequently, about twice week during the |
last few months. Members of witness
family attended the rink and witness knew |
of no reason why he could not take his |
lady friends there with propriety.
Mr.. Henry w. Lindsay, q Howard street, |
has resided near the rink, has never seen
anything disorderly there, and desires its
license continued. Has visited the rink four |
times and does not object to his children Wis. |
iting the rink in the afternoon. The, Mayor |
asked if he would take his wife to the rink |
and witness stated that his wife had visited !
the rink and saw nothing out of the way. |
Mr.. Carrigan, recalled, said he was the last |
person to leave the rink at night and it was |
always closed promptly at ten o'clock
Mr.. Groves, recalled, said he intended to |
be at the rink all the time it was running and /
part of the time it was not running
The Mayor said that no one doubted that |
Mr.. Groves operated the rink to the best of |
his ability.
Aionzo F. Harmon, policeman, testified |
that Congress Rink was in his beat and or |
DERBY to the best of his belief.
Officer Steele of the night police force was |
on the beat including Congress Rink and had |
been in there occasionally, although never |
called in. He had never seen anything out |