The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-03-19
PoRTLANp's CENTENNIAL.
The Committee Meets and Com.
mences the Work of Preparation.

The committee appointed by the city gov
eminent to take charge of the centennial eel
ebration of the separation of Portland from
the town of Falmouth held its first meeting
last evening and commenced the work of
preparation in good earnest, electing a sec
rotary and submitting various matters to
subcommittee. There were present of the
committee Mayor Chapman, City Clerk Bur-
CESS, President Hobbs Of the Common
Council, Aldermen Beale, Wilson, Mcmahon
and Marks, Councilmen Galley, Mccain,
Parker, Lang, Abbott and Spring.
The meeting was called to order by the
Mayor, and City Clerk Burgess was elected
permanent secretary. The Mayor then
stated that it had been suggested that a paid
secretary be employed to take charge Of the
clerical work attending the preparations
under the direction of the committee. The
Mayor thought that the person employed
should be one possessed of historical
knowledge and an acquaintance with former
residents of the city, besides which he
should take hearty interest in the success
of the celebration.
Alderman Wilson thought the employ
ment of a secretary necessary and referred
to the great amount of work to be done.
Mr.. Mccain presented the name of Mr..
John T. Hull, and the nomination beng
seconded by Mr.. Abbott, Mr. Hull was
elected secretary. Mr.. Hull shortly after
entered the room and accepted the position
The question of inviting the corporation
of citizens was mentioned, and the prevail
ing opinion was that their assistance would
be both valuable and necessary.
In accordance with the suggestion of the
Mayor. it was voted to appoint sub-commit-
tees on programme, printing and correspond
ence. invitation and address. 1t was voted
that the committees be appointed by the
Mayor and that the Mayor be member Of
the committee on programme and that on
correspondence, invitation and address. The
committees appointed are as follows:
On Programme-The Mayor, Messrs. Wilson,
Beale and Burgess.
On PrintingSMessrs. Briggs, Hobbs and Nc
Cam.
The Mayor, Messrs Marks, Abbott and Spring.
On Transportation-Messr Sawyer, Galley and
Lang.
Mr.. Galley called attention to the fact
that the day or days upon which the celebra-
ton is to be held had not been settled upon,
and the Mayor called for an expression of
opinion in regard to the celebration.
Alderman Beale favored a good celebra-
ton to be carried out in one day.
Mr.. Galley said that as the historical and
military parades were to be among the most
interesting features of the celebration, his
idea was that the celebration should continue
through two days, as the morning traiEs
would not arrive in time to allow people
coming by them to see the procession if held
in the morning as is usual. Mr.. Galley
idea was that there should be two days pro-
vided for in the programme, the first being
preparatory to the second.
Alderman Marks suggested that the usual
order of things be reversed and the minor
parts of the celebration be placed first in
the programme. Ordinarily at similar cele-
brations people get all tired out in the morn
ing while out looking at the procession, and
by o'clock go home with the idea that the
affair is all over. Alderman Marks's idea
was that if thought best to adopt the sugges-
ton made in regard to the preaching of his
torical sermons on Sunday, that this could
be the first day. On Monday the 9TH of
July, the regatta, bicycle races, balloon
ascension, or whatever the committee de-
cided upon, could be held in the forenoon,
the historical address being delivered in the
afternoon and the parade coming off Tues
day morning.
Mr. Hobbs and Alderman Wilson thought
one day sufficient for the celebration, and
Mr.. Abbott concurred with them unless it
was decided to have the historical addresses
read which had been suggested. In that
event Tuesday morning might be set apart
for the purpose.
Mr. Mccain favored the idea of Alderman
Marks, and Alderman Mcmahon said that
he conceded with the remarks of Alderman
Marks.
Mr.. Burgess said a few words in regard to
the publication of a memorial volume to
contain the historical addresses. These
volumes have been published in other places
and have proved very satisfactory