The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-09
In Joint Convention.

Chairman Smith stated the purposes for
which the convention was called and the
first business considered was concerning the
powder house.
Alderman Galley said that he appeared to
orer the same remonstrance that he did at
the previous meeting against the proposed
site for the powder house. A. A. Strout,
Esq, appeared for the remonstrants repre-
sentlng the Grand Trunk railroad and a large
number Of business men. Mr.. StrOut said
Il represent, directly, a public carrier that
Is ldentined with the business interests Of
the city. This powder house has. for many
years, been located in Ward 7. The Maine
Central desire to have the ground occupied
by the powder house for railroad purposes.
Powder Is matter, which, while II is in
large quantities very powerful and far-reach-
ing In its effects, is not like other explosives
used for rending rock, such as dynamite and
nitro-glycerine, don't think should be
here tonight to object to locating the old
fashioned powder house within 500 or GOO
feet OF the Grand Trunk track" Mr.. Strout
stated that 600 pounds of dynamite in
shell was deemed sufficient, when exploded
within twenty feet of vessel, to shiver to
pieces the strongest iron-clad In the world.
II 600 pounds Of dynamite Is so powerful,
now powerful must be the large amount
stored In the powder house? Mr.. Strout
mere read from newspaper clipping an ac-
count OF an explosion Of a powder house in
virginia, where glass was broken in houses
house.
1t was stated that only one business man
OF all who were called upon refused for a
moment to sign the protest against the erec-
tion OF the powder house on the proposed
site. A protest signed by a large number Of
the leading business men Of Commercial
street was read by Mr.. Strout, who SAID that
person Of experience In handling powder
and dynamite told him that he did not deem
1t prudent or safe to erect powder house
within $50 feet of a public railway over
which trains are daily passing.
A letter, expressing hope that the pow
der house would not be located on the pro-
ppS;ss pSo;sesd site. written 6y q Z. Hannaford.
was read, after which Mr.. Strout proposed
that In relation to the powder house, COM
mlttee consisting Of City Civil Engineer
Goodwin, Col. Jared 9. Smith and tbe keep
port a suitable site and material for the con-
struction OF the powder house.
Alter Mr.. Str0ut finished his remOnstrance
protest signed by several citizens Of Ward
l, was read by City Clerk Burgess.
Mr.. Strout asked City Civil Engineer Good
win II, In his opinion, 1t was safe, assuming
that an explosion might take place, to locate
powder house within $50 feet Of the rail-
road track. Mr.. Goodwin replied that IL the
In the city would be safe for its location.
Hon. William L.. Putnam spoke In behalf of
tne powder dealers saying that he did nOs
think the question was understood. A DOW
der house has been in Portland from time
immemorable and he had never heard Of an
explosion yet. The business demand OF the
merchants should be met. Mr.. Putnam
thought the Grand Trunk had a mistaken
alarm in regard to the matter The question
TO be decided was whether or not il Is safe to
locate powder house ON the proposed site
as II now exists. When the population i'm
creases and people begin to build toward the
mouse then II could be discontinued Mr.. |
futnam wanted the position Of the powder |
dealers understood. A house should be /
erected and then the City Government could
determine whether dynamite should be
stored In II.
The hearing was here concluded.
A Republican caucus was here called Tor
the purpose Of nominating City solicitor.
In the caucus Z. M. Rand and Ardon w.
Coombs were the leading candidates, and
each received about the same number OF
votes. Finally, however, Mr.. Coombs was
nominated.
After the caucus the convention proceeded
to ballot, with the following result:
Whole number of votes.
Necessary for a choice ....... ..........l2
ATdOn W. C0ombs had ...............2I
L. NJ. Rand had ......................
Mr.. Coombs was declared elected city soli-
,itor.
William Cannon was elected surveyor Of
lumber, and A. g. Littlejohn was elected
ield driver fence viewer and pound keeper
If Long Island.
In Board OF Mayor and Aldermen.
Alderman Shaw asked to have the order