The Portland daily press., 1888-03-13
PRICE. THREE CENTS.
UNEMPLOYED REAL ESTATE.

The time has apparently come for the city 70
open some streets across the poor farm, ana
place in the market tier Of lots running par
allel with those on St. John street. Such lots
would be very eligible for residences, and
would doubtless meet with prompt sale for
early occupancy.
Since the policy was adopted few years
ago Of selling the city unimproved real estate
nearly all that portion lying west Of Portland
street has been disposed Of at gradually IN
creasing prices, and the entire area Is now
covered with houses, according TO the stipuls-
tions contained in the sale. Thus, our sinking
fund has been increased, our taxable property
augmented, and many citizens assisted TO pro-
cure homes within the territorial limits OF
Portland. | would recommend continuance
Of this policy until all of our unproductive
lands are transformed into homes Of actual
residents.
STREET LI0HTINo.
At the expiration Of the contract between
the city and the Consolidated Electric Compa-
ny il was again renewed upon equally favor
able terms. More arc lights are employed
this year than formerly, in pursuance OF the
plan Of substituting an arc light for several
ineandeseent lamps, wherever il can be done TO
advantage. Complaint having arisen Of lamps
being extinguished portion Of the night. the
police were instructed 10 report any failure in
this respect, and its duration. Their reports
have been summarized from month to month.
and the loss TO the city computed in dollars
and cents. The aggregate amount las been
found to be uncomfortable, much less than the
annoyance resulting from the interruption Of
light would have indicated.
Excepting these occasional interruptions,
which, on the whole, may be almost unavoid-
able, our citizens express themselves extremely
gratifed with the method Of arc lighting, un-
der which our principal streets, squares and
wharyes are Illuminated to a degree rendering
them perfectly safe for travel at all hours Of
the night, to say nothing Of the additional
security everywhere furnished to property,
COLLECTION OF oFFAL.
The question of disposal Of city ofal is be-
coming matter of pressing importance. A
few years since the city received quite an in
come for the privilege Of making this collec-
ton, but Of late, the reverse has been the rule
with tendency to increased expense to the
city from year to year. With enhanced cost
has also come poorer service, until the past
season the board Of aldermen felt obliged to
break with the contractor. and look TO his
bondsmen for more faithful execution Of his
contract.
In the meantime a special committee from
the aldermen and board of health was ap-
pointed to consider the whole subject Of the
collection Of city offal, with authority 10 visit
other cities in search after information. The
results Of their investigation were presented in
report which has been given to the public.
The recommendations embodied in their report
were submitted to the last city council in the
shape Of an ordinance. and by that body
adopted in an amended form. In brief, il is
ordained that the collection Of ofal shall be
placed under the direction Of a committee Of
to be designated as the sanitary COM
mittee. 1t is also provided, with a view to
more efectual service, that the collection may
be made with teams owned by the city. While
it is impossible for the city itself to undertake
collection the present year, on account Of an
inability to provide requisite equipments be-
fore the expiration Of the existing contract,
yet you can, if deemed expedient. set the ma
chinery in motion that will enable our sue
eessors to follow the approved plan.
OLD CITY HALL.
This building is yet standing. although all
the legal steps have been taken for its con-
demnation for site for a soldiers and sailors
monument. The portion occupied by Messrs.
Kendall & Whitney vacated upon Decem-
Der 3lst ult.. since which time the building has
Dctu u5tu OuAy 1JA utiAbttcS nAA NaA fvHA
purposes. The mayor. IN whose hands the
power Of removal legally rests, has recently re-
ceived a request from the executive committee
Of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument associa-
ton to proceed with the demolition Of ths
building by May ist next.
An order was also passed by the last city
council directing the committee on public
buildings to transfer the armories % some other
quarters, and this action involves another
step in the direction Of demolition. IL is % be
regretted that the monument association has
not yet procured sufficient funds to proceed
immediately with the work Of construction. 80
as to utilize as far as possible the material
Of the building in the foundation OF the
monument.
Surely the time is now ripe for the erection
of soldiers monument After months OF dis
cussion and repeated trials. the question Of To-
cation has been finally settled. Does il not
now behoove our citizens 20 lay aside all pre-
vious differences of opinion, and heartily unite
in erecting such a monument as shall both
honor its location and pre- eminently symbolizs
its object. 1t would be a matter OF lasting re-
gret, and the first stain upon Portlands
patriotic record If her citizens allowed this
spot,-thus set apart for the purpose Of me-
morial-to long remain unoccupied, or TO be
devoted to a monument insufficient to kindle
pride or stimulate patriotism. BY all means
let us awake at once to our opportunity and
duty, as citizens, and, ere many months, Port
land will have proud cause for congfatulation
in having reared suitable memorial TO the
patriotism and valor Of her sons who yielded
up their lives in the service of our country.
EXTENSION OF NEW HIGH STREET.
In my message last year recommended the
extension. at the earliest practicable moment,
Of new High street from its present terminus
to point near Deering bridge. A plan Of this
contemplated improvement, including new
street to form the easterly side of Deering
Park, has been made by the City Engineer,
and in due time will be submitted to the coun-
ell for examination.
Preliminary steps for laying out these streets
were taken by the last City Council. and
partial information obtained as to the cost
which would be involved in so doing. All
such data will soon be placed in your posses
sion to furnish the basis for your decision as TO
the expediency Of proceeding with these de-
sirable improvements.
BACK BAY.
This portion Of our city, so frequently
source Of criticism and complaint, claims
share Of our attention. As indicated in my
last message. an act was procured from the
legislature constituting a Back Bay COM
mission, the object of which was set forth at
length in that document. This commission
was duly appointed last summer, and or
ganized with the choice of Judge Symonds as
president.
As a result of conferences between the
commission and the appropriate committee Of
the city government. satisfactory plans were
finally adopted for the construction OF the
marginal way between Deering bridge and
Gould's wharf. and contract entered into for
this purpose between the city and Messrs.
Moore & Wright.
Prior to making this contract II was voted
by the city council to extend the Harbor Com
missioners' line some two hundred feet north
over the flats, and this extension was ap-
proved by the United States engineer in
charge, and the secretary of war. Through
this action some 563,500 square feet Of fats
will be eventually converted into solid land,
furnishing an additional area for commercial
purposes, as well as adding many thousands Of
dollars in direct value to our taxable property.
The preparation for, and agreement upon, a
contract for the building of the marginal way
occupied so much time that but small progress
could be made in its actual construction be-
fore the shutting in of winter; but in early
spring, work will be resumed. Another ap-
preparation will be necessary before the way
can be completed. Probably, Congress will
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