The Portland daily press., 1890-04-08

location of the tracks of the Peaks Island rail-
roae upon Island avenue, subject however to the
sfoners and upon condition that the tracks shall
be laid under the direction OF the Street Commits
soner, and that satisfactory security be given by
said railroad company to indemnify the city for
any damages hereafter caused by the location
ana construction of said track by said company.
PETITIONS.
The following petitions were referred:
Western Unian Telegraph Company. to at
tach wires to poles.
Consolidated Electric Light Company. for
right to attach wires.
E. Q. Hawkes. to erect stationary engine
at % Congress street.
E. w. Murphy, to erect wooden building
at 1873 Cumberland street.
B. G. Donahue, for better drainage.
Citizens for improvements on Preble
street.
Citizens for an arc light on Locust street.
Citizens for Improvements on Salem street.
Citizens for arc light on Mayo street.
Citizens for sidewalks on Grove and Briggs
streets.
NEW BUILDINGS.
The following parties petitioned for per-
mission to build, which was granted, sub
ject to the usual conditions:
j. J. Hyde, at II Bramhall; Portland r. K.
Co. on St John street; Elias Thomas ct ais.
on Portland pier; Z. o. Hoxe on Clark
street; B. +. Corser on Ponce street.
THE NEW ENGINE.
Ward wants the new fire engine which
the city is going to buy. and accordingly put
in petition for it. 1t was referred.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
The bond of Cyrus NOVEL; as city auditor
was approved and accented.
An invitation for the boards to attend the
Easter Monday ball by the 1. A. R. A, was
received and accepted.
The First Parish Society were given per-
mission tU cntor sewer.
The City Treasurer was authorized to re-
new the city note and to make usual tempor-
ary loans of S45, 900 per month.
Four hundred dollars was appropriated
fol Memorial Day.
The Board of Health was authorized TO
employ help in obtining census statistics at
cost not to exceed 500.
An order was passed authorizing the COM
mittee on streets to purchase 100000 bricks
at cost not to exceed $1,000.
An order was passed establishing and ap-
proving the numbering the lots of Wilson
and Valley streets.
A order appropriating 500 for "Mer-
chants. week, coming from the lower board
was laid on the table.
An insane person was committed to the
Asylum at Augusta.
In Joint Convention.
SUBORDINATE CITY OFFICERS.
Howard E. Corey was elected weigher of
iron and coal.
William FL. Green was elected city consta-
BILE.
PEAKS ISLAND RAILROAD.
1t will be remembered that last fall 1t was
announced that some gentlemen intended
building railroad around Peaks Island.
The plans have been gradually attaining
shape and last night the projectors, in the
person of V. G. Wilson, Esq, went before
the city government to get an expression Of
that body's views upon the matter before
going to the railroad commissioners. Peaks
Island has been much interested over this
matter for some time and last night the is.
land or rather the male portion Of it came up
to see the result of the petition to the city.
The city clerk read petition praying that
he city council, as far as it had power. grant
the request of the projectors of the railroad
for location for its tracks. 1t was signed
by j. T. Bracket and nine-six others. An
other OF like tenor was signed by g. M.
Touse and seventy. six others.
Mr.. Wilson addressed the council He
said a gentleman from New York first con-
ceived the idea Of this road. He talked with
residents Of the island and public meeting
was held, at which great majority Of the
residents expressed themselves as heartily
in favor Of the scheme. He has
succeeded in raising the necessary capital and
asks the approval OF the City Council. The
projected road is to cost in the neighborhood
Of $4,000 and to be substantially built. 1t
would be run by steam dummy engine
Mr.. Henry Trefethen expressed himself as
strongly in favor of it and said he thought
he represented large majority of the prop
erty owners on the island. He thought 1t
would tend to greatly increase the value of
land ON the back of the island.
Mr.. Jeb Sanford spoke briefly, heartily
cOncurring with Mr.. Trefethen's views. Mr..
Sanford said he did not fear any damage to
his property on the upper part Of the island.
Major I. p. Beals, large land owner on
Peaks Island, expressed himself as heartily
jector of the road we'll and knew him to be a
thoroughly responsible gentleman. He
thought it of immense benefit to the island.
He could see no objection to the thing what
ever. He believed in Portland thoroughly
and wanted to see everything done for Port
Two petitions in remonstrance were pre-
sented. One signed by Henry W. Stuart
and eight Others. Another by S. M. Tor
Hon. Joseph A. Locke represented the
remonstrants He said in substance: 1t is
probably known TO you that am the repre-
sentative and have been for long time OF
land owners on feakS lSianu. luio IalrOau
is a simple, noisy, smoky. narrow gauge
railroad. Would any Of you want your
family and children on the island with that
road running across the streets? The cot
tage system has proved q great success in
the mast: why should it not in the future? /
do not believe the railroad will develop the
back of the island A highway Is what 1t
needs. This road will be direct injury to
the property in the island. 1t will prevent
the growth of the island. claim it will be
a nuisance, 1t Is simply bid for transient
trade. 1t will injure cottagers and perma-
nent residents. Peaks Island is place for
summer residents and are not they the ones
to be considered? Great stress has been laid
on the large amount of money coming here,
What will it be expended for? Some iron
rails and few shanties. How much tax
will the city derive from that? / venture
the assertion that for every dollar of taxes
you get out of the railroad you will lose ten
dollars OF taxes you now get
Mr.. Wilson, in reply to Mr.. Locke, stated
that the taxed property represented on the
petition Tor the permit amounted to over
100000 He thought that cOttagers would
be as likely to take train as to drive to the
landing behind their spans.
Mr.. George L. Brown, as a cottager and
an interested party In the Memorial Build
ing Of the 9th Maine Regiment objected to
the scheme and the crowds OF people that
the road would bring there.
The debate was enlivened by sharp pas
sage at arms between Mr.. Locke ana Mr.
Trefethen as to the relative value Of the
property represented by each In relation TO
the islands prosperity and Its peoples well
fare