The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-29

IL tIlC GOWA Ci6s yColS ttSSV, ih0 ACA
hidden people turning their sinks out
drains into the streets, there would be
no call for sewers now. In the villages
outside of Boston they had dry wells
which gave all facilities and were neat
and safe The use of sewer was to take
care of the filth from house. Now by
the present method of assessment he
was charged $3.50, while his neighbor
with house and family as large, would
pay but $40. All this difference, said
Mr.. Read, is because I have some back
land. i.
A voice-The Henry George system,
which fines a man for having land.
Dir. A. Freeman Berry,
said they were Directing to assessment
by the square foot because they had
back land. Now his land was all on the
street and he objected to a front foot
assessment. Laughter
Mr. Joseph F. Chute.
said that he objected to both systems of
assessment. He wanted it according to
depth, for he couldn't get down but three
feet, and didn't see how he could con-
struct dry well. Mr.. Chute then went
on to say that he had bought a lot in
Deering supposing that there We're sew
ers He thought it strange that there
were none; and that Deering should re-
member that it is no longer country
town. Applause. AS to the statement
that sewers were unhealthy, he doubted
the accuracy of Mr.. Smiths statements
about wards and 7 of Portland. Take
the Maine General Hospital out and
ward Z would be the healthiest ward in
Portland
Mr.. Smith interrupted to say that he
referred only to zymotic diseases.
Nj. Chute said the same would hold
good with regard to those diseases also.
Mr. Chute was earnestly in favor Of
sewers, and his remarks elected much
applause.
Mr. William Fl. Scott said that he OBJ
iected TO the method of assessment by
the square foot. He thought that Port
establishes hundred foot line, back OF
which land is not assessed.
Ira Locke, Esq.
followed with stirring speech in favor
of q, sewer system. He did not know,
and be did not care to know what his
assessment would be. 1t was but mat
ter of common honesty for the people of
Deering to provide sewers. People had
been led to come out from Portland with
the expectation that they would be put
in How could the city be expected to
grow il sanitary arrangements were not
provided. Migration to Deering will
cease because people will be afraid lest
they be poisoned. Mr.. Locke told q
thrilling story about how he had found
himself using a we'll, around which
within radius of thirty-feet were dis
covered three oesspools.
Rev. MI Ogden said the city was COM
mitted to the construction of sewers;
and it seemed to him that the only ques-
ton was as to method of assessment.
He could see that there might be prob
lem to be solved in connection with this.
MI. Fred Thompson said he was for
sewers, and was willing to pay his
part.
DR.. Coleman, of the Board of Health,
spoke of the unsanitary condition ex-
listing in Woodfords in the vicinity of
South street and along the Maine Central
line near Pearl street. where the drain
age of the side hill is allowed to collect.
The railroad track is a perfect dam Of
filth, which comes from Spring and
Mechanic streets, whose inhabitants
claim that they have natural drain.
age.n which means that they drain onto
theiI neighbors. He thought the rail-
road might prosecute if the nuisance
was not remedied.
Mr.. +. E. C. Robbins said ne was in
favor of sewers. Of course the method
of assessment should be equitable, but
he thought that could be adjusted.
Then before adjoining, a poll of the
house was asked on the question of sew
ers or no sewers. A very large majority
favored sewers.
Deering City Government.
After the sewer hearing the Deering
city government had regular meeting
last evening" all being present.
An order was passed unanimously call
ing on the Maine Central railroad to
erect gates at Riverside street. This is
the Cobb lane crossing where Mr..
knight was killed.
A letter from President Wescott was
received, saying that the Portland d
Rochester would maintain hagInan at
William street crossing in Oakdale as
soon as building for him could be OBJ
tanned.
A list Of tax abatenlents for 1891,
amounting to about $40, was referred to
the assessors.
Inconsistencies against the sewer plan
were referred to the sewer comm ttee.
Then there was brief general discus
sion Of the question of method OF assess
ments. Alderman Hutchins said that so
far as the city is concerned it matters not
whether the assessment be by front foot
or by square feet in area. The city
would get the same in either case. But
to individuals it would make a great diff
ference. Take one extreme case on
Forest Avenue, q lot with IS front feet.
By the front foot the assessment would
be $1,000; by acre only $25.O6. This
was an extreme case, but it showed what
great variations there could be.
Aldermen Jacobs protested vigorously
against this government taking action
which would saddle upon it's successor a
sewer system which that government
might not approve.
Alderman Neyens said ne was in favor
of sewers. but he thought the city
charter was wrong i'll its provisions on