The Portland daily press., 1892-12-06
IN COMMON COUNCIL.

IN COMMON COUNCIL.
Absent: Mr.. Howe.
The reading of the records was dis
pensed with.
Public Library.
A petition was presented by the trus-
tees of the Public Library and Maine
Historical Society that the Maine Histor-
ical Society be permitted to exchange
their quarters in the Public Library
building to Baxter hall in the third
story, the Public Library to have their
old quarters. The petition was accepted
and an order passed granting the petit
ton and ordering the decd of gift of the
building to the city to be altered to CORE
spond.
Wilson Street
Mr.. Tibbetts offered petition that
Wilson street be extended from Beckett
to Morning street. Referred and sent
up.
Snow and Ice.
The ordinance relating to guard rail
on buildings to prevent snow and ice
from sliding into the street, was laid on
the table. Later the city solicitor APP
peared before the board, and stated that
it was within the scope of the city's
power Under the existing ordinance he
never knew anyone to recover any dam
ages for injuries received from such
snow slides. The city marshal thought
the matter a necessity. Under tn pres
tirfu Aauc nntian r1aI1Sf hQ
given the owner Of property before he
can be made liable for any damages.
On motion of Mr.. .Kehoe the ordinance
was taken from the table.
Mr.. Webb thought the matter would
require considerable expense on the part
of building owners, and while he didn't
say he didn't favor it he thought it ought
to have more consideration. He moved
it's reference to the committee on claims.
It was so voted and the aldermen con-
CURED.
Biennial Elections.
The committee on biennial elections
reported favoring the passage of an en-
abling act by the legislature, giving the
people opportunity to vote on the ques
ton. Mr.. Randall recommended indefi-
mite postponement in minority report.
Mr.. Hicks spoke in favor of the major
ity report and Mr.. Little opposed it,
The matter was indefinitely postponed.
The Evening School.
1t was ordered that committee of
six, with such as the aldermen may join,
be appointed to open an evening school
at an expense not to exceed $400, the ex-
pense to be charged to the liquor agency.
Messrs. MCGOWAN, Dunn, Hicks, Me-
laugh, Leighton and Little were contin-
ued the committee on the part of this
board, and the order was sent up for
concurrent action. The upper board
passed the order and joined Messrs.
Gallagher, Josselyn and Stevens.
The Water Company.
When the order annulling the $4,000
read it was tabled on motion of Mr..
Webb, not, as he said, because it might
not be all right as far as the Mayor had
gone in his investigation, but there
might be value in looking further into a
matter that had existed SO long before
abruptly shutting it off
Mr. Randall thought we had better go
slow before we shut off $4,000 contract
that we might have to renew at double
the cost. The order was tabled.
Later the city solicitor was asked what
his opinion was, and he said he didn't
like to give an opinion without careful
examination. What condition the city
would be left in if the contract was an
nulled he couldn't say as to greater
expense if a new contract was made.
But if annulled we should be left in the
position we were in before the contract
was made as stated by Judge Symonds.
In Mr.. Emery's brief to be presented to
ny is made.
Mr.. Webb thought if thu cit" sr'in'''s,-