The Portland daily press., 1888-03-13

There are Outstanding OOnus P"ot uuS "
not presented for payment amounting 10
$l4,500.
The gross debt has been reduced the past
wear $500. 500, and the net debt at least
as. 900; and the same win probably be further
reduced before April l, 1888, by payment OF
matured bonds and additions to sinking fund.
nnr,no the next financial year, 1889, there
will be due bonds I'm aid of the Atlantic
and st. Lawrence railroad TO be provided
for by said railroad company, November o, 600
2 1883, SoVo'0V"
city notes issued November l, 1883, due 90 ooo
May l, 1888, W'oVV
City notes Issued January /, 1883, due July :. ooo
l, 1888, oo'OVo
which must either be temporarily renewed or
paid from the available assets of the city.
The gross city debt on April /. 1877. s6,050 200
The gross city debt on March Z, 1888, 3'f4V'OoO
Total reduction in eleven years, s2,6l02OO
By this exhibit it appears that our city is
fast approaching an excellent financial condi-
ton, which has been fully attested by the
floating of our per cent funding loan at par
and slight premium, during year OF unusual
stringeney in the money market. Before the
close of the present financial year, It may De
expedent to so dispose of the citys available
assets as TO practically reduce its net debt to a
sum not exceeding per cent of the city.s
valuation, thus placing Portland in still
stronger position as TO credit and value OF its
securities.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Under an act of the last legislature provid-
ing for Board of Health in each city and
town throughout the commonwealth, the
special act constituting our local board be-
came imperative, and the old board passed
out Of existence.
A new board was constituted, consisting Of
three members appointed by the mayor, which
duly organized and subsequently made choice
of ). II. Sayward as Health Officer. This
board, supplemented by its agent, has been
very efficient in the promotion of the puohc
health. Through its energetic measures, what
promised at one time to become an epidemic
of diphtheria, was quickly stamped out.
Contagious disorders imported from abroad
have been kept within circumscrioed limits,
while multitude of local causes direct
ly promotive of disease have been promptly
removed upon recognition. With so vlgnant
an organization exercising constant watchful-
ness over the sanitary condition of the city, we
NAV be certain that our homes will be pro-
tected, SO far as exterior relations are con-
cerned, against the encroachments OF dangerous
types of zymotic disease.
SCHOOLS.
Considerations of self interest, as well as Of
the loftiest patriotism, invest the department OF
the public schools with supreme Importance.
Ignorance must be accounted prolific source
of poverty, foe to real progress, and menace
to republican institutions. Our paramount
duty. as citizens Of progressive and free re-
public, is to provide abundant facilities for the
education of youth, and make sure Of their
utilization to contribute to individual well-be
ing and national perpetuity.
This fact has ever been appreciated and acted
upon by the people of Portland. AS result
our schools are among the best in New Eng
land. Our school instructors are, for the most
part, well adapted for and faithfully devoted to
their work. Our scholars are intelligent eager
TO learn, and far advanced as any in the land,
while their morals, despite occasional unjust
reports to the contrary, are Of the highest
standard. Our school buildings are above the
average, and it has been our aim to render
them healthier and more attractive each sue
ceeding year. The Carroll street school house,
completed few months since, is described as
model school building, the erection Of which
has supplied a long existing necessity. Be-
sides new school house has been erected, the
past summer, upon Crotch island. to furnish
quarters for a school maintained there jointly
by Portland and the town Of Cumberland.
Also, extensive alterations have been made in
the High school building, which, while not
altogether remedying the complaints Of i'll
ventilation and heating Of that singularly un-
fortunate structure, yet go far toward securing
that satisfactory condition for which we are
striving.
For other matters of detail connected with
our schools l will refer you to the interesting
reports Of the superintendent Of schools and OF
the school committee, wherein various recon-
mendations and suggestions are made relative
to new improvements, school buildings, &c.
which, no doubt, will be formally presented
before you, by representatives of the school
committee, at the appropriate time
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The expenditure for repairs in this depart
ment averages less than three thousand dollars
annually. which Is a small sum, considering
the number of our public buildings. length of
time built, and the extensive use to which they
are subjected. During the past year their
number has been increased by the erection of
a neat and convenient stable on Myrtle street.
for the use of the patrol wagon. Through this
provision, the police department has been
brought into close proximity with the ma
chinery Of the police signal system.
As recommended in my last message, the
sewerage of the City building including both
the city and county wings has been radically
reconstructed. The good effects Of this alter
alton are clearly apparent in an improved at
mosphere inside the various rooms OF the City
building, now almost entirely relieved OF the
bad odors formerly so prevalent there.
The tower for drying hose has been rebuilt,
and is in good condition.
1t is not probable that any special expendi-
ture will be required in this department the
for he
chasing new boilers for City building and re-
Stating its roof, both of which requirements
have been too long postponed. Mindful that
there is no economy in allowing public prop
erty to unduly deteriorate, wise prudence
will dictate such outlays upon our public
buildings as are necessary to maintain them in
fair state of preservation.
PARKS AND PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The gradual improvement Of our parks and
public grounds,-under the direction of the
commissioners-is matter of general remark.
Each succeeding season presents some new
features, commending themselves for their
originality and attractiveness. The wisest
possible use is made of the money appro-
priated for this department, and the only Won
der is how so little money is made TO do so
much work. This year will afford further at
lfdctlNe uONeltles III luc Ouhof AChAho oNNA-
tional charm TO that historic spot fast becom-
ing popular pleasure resort. Doubt
less it will be gratifying to the
commissioners when the city can
supplement their work by laying out street
on the easterly side Of the Oaks. thereby re-
moving the artificial and unwholesome sur
roundings which now meet the eye OF every
visitor who passes down the avenue from
Portland street. Authority should, also, be
granted the commissioners to negotiate Tor
for that portion of the brow and slope OF
Bramhall's hill which is not owned by the
city. This is important in order to provide
against any possible obstruction to that up
narslleled view from the Western promenade,
which furnishes at all times an inspiration to
the beholder, and lasting picture to the
memory.
More than an average amount of permanent
work has been done upon our streets during
the past year, in addition to large outlays
made upon both Vaughan's and Tukey's
bridges, which were unexpectedly found to be
in deplorably rotten condition.
Comprised in the afore- named permanent
work were twelve thousand yards of granite
pavement laid by the city, besides six thou
sand Yards which were put down by the
Horse Railroad company, under the terms
governing the extension and double tracking
Of their lines. Granite paving has come into