The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-12


the northern portion Of the almshouse field
for the purpose of bringing those desirable
building lots into the market.
ALMsHoUsE.
The time is not distant when it will be
necessary to select another location for the
po0rhouse buildings, that the present site
and surroundings may be put into the market
for building lots. and while 1t may not be de-
sirable to take action this year, 1t will be
well to keep this matter before us to secure
the most desirable location at the proper
time.
The one most desirable appearing to have
been lost to the city, tho next should be Sc
cured while 1t may.
BACK COVE.
The building OF the Marginal Way is now
under contract, an appropriation Tor the com,
pletiOn of which has been made and carried
forward. Until this work Is completed. the
commissioners will ask o. the city no appro-
priation, and IL only remains for US to see
that the present contract Is completed ac-
cording to the specifications.
SCHOOLS.
Portland is Justly proud OF its schools,
and. with a few exceptions. the school build
ings:
the public welfare. both appeal for liberal
responses to demands mads by this depart
ment.
There will come before you, for your care
full considerations request for another gram
mar school building for the central portion
of the city.
When the time comes to build 1t would
seem best that the hay scale lot on Green
street should be occupied for this purpose,
house lot, where there is ample room, and
this would help make more desirable for
rent the building owned by the city on that
lot.
There will also come a request for the en-
largement of the school house on Peaks ISL
and by the addition of another story, and
which appears to be necessary In order to
accommodate the increasing number of
children attending there, this increase being
more particularly from our families who
go early and return late in their summer out
ings.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Public Library in its new and elegant
quarters, furnished so generously by our fell
low citizen. James p. Baxter, Esq, has been
opened for the delivery of books only two
weeks. but the use of its treasures has be-
come so general, that 1t Is evident that IL is
to be, what its founders desired, an educator
of the people, an adjunct of inestimable val
ue to our public schools, and an institution
deserving the liberal, fostering care of the
city. Upon your appropriation for Its sup
the library can be made useful. ! commend
1t and its interests to your generous care.
1t now contains some thirty-three thou
sand bound volumes and fifteen thousand
pamphlets. 1t is open freely to all residents
OF Portland oyer fourteen years Of age, and
the extent OF its use Is shown by the fact
teat In the short time that has elapsed since
the opening, over three thousand delivery
cards have been called for and taken, and
the average daily circulation Of bound vol
umes and magazines has exceeded Ave hum
dred volumes.
CARE OF THE POOR.
More than eighteen hundred years ago the
edict of the great Teacher went forth, "For
ye have the poor with you always" and all
Christian communities recognizing its au-
thority, make such provisions as are neces-
sary for their care. Such an appropriation
asked for by our excellent board OF overseers
VIII OF course be cheerfully granted.
MARKET SQUARE.
The patriotic generosity of the people in
granting the location of the old City Hall to
the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Asso-
citation on which to erect its monument, has
opened up this central location to become in
the near future one of the most interesting
and beautiful squares in the city increasing
and holding back business centres from the
present wild rush towards the West End.
LII the Portland and Rochester railroad
carries out the promises 1t has made, in
securing the vote to make its extension and
erect new Union station at the foot Of
Preble street, this square will become one Of
the great centres Of the city. Cotton street
should then be extended to open into this
square, thus facilitating business, and in
creasing the valuation on this street and all
others In that location.
l recommend that the name be changed by
oihelal action to Monument Square.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The appearance and improved condition
OF Lincoln park, Western promenade and
the Oaks give evidence that the commits
sioners are expanding the amounts appro-
priated Tor their work, in wise and pro-
gressive manner, and their demand should
be answered as far as the condition of the
city's finances will permit.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
In addition to the appropriation necessary
ior the needed repairs OF the public build
ings, II Is important that immediate action
should be taken to arrange the rooms recent
ly vacated by the Public Library, for the ac-
commodation of the city treasurer, as his
present Quarters are cramped and uncom-
Portable I'D the extreme. and untitled for the
needs OF that important branch of the busi-
ness of the city.
IN CONCLUSION,
let me say, that shall arrange such hours
for, and devote as much time to the affairs
of the city as its interests demand. and in
all our desires and undertakings to best pro-
mote the welfare and prosperity of our mu-
nlcipailty, you can always rely on me for the
most cordial sympathy and hearty coopera-
ton to the best of my judgment.
After the message which was received
with great applause, the convention dis
solved.