The Portland daily press., 1893-04-04
MANY CITIZENS DEMAND BETTER
HIGH SCHOOL QUARTERS.


All the aldermen were present. In the
absence of Mayor Ingraham, Aid erman
Guptill, chairman of the board, presided.
Mr.. Guptil read the following appoint
ments by the Mayor:
Edwin L. Dyer. member of Board of Health
for three years.
Alonzo w. Smith, member of Board of Com
missoncrs of Public Grounds.
John Il. Thompson, NJ D., member OF Police
Examining Board for three years.
hsWm. McAleney, member OF Water COMMISSION
for three years.
John ]. Gerrish, trustee of Evergreen ceme-
terry for three years.
Vim. Wardeil, special policeman for one year
without pay, at city stable.
Isaac G. Dyer. special policeman at city build
ing during the pleasure OF this board
All these appointments were approved.
The Gas Light Company.
Alderman Josselyn offered the follow
ing order:
Whereas, 1t appears to be absolutely impera-
tive that the City of Portland should. this year;
erect new High school building, or remodel
and repair the present structures; also make
provisions for the construction OF new en-
larged draw at Tukey's bridge, each OF which
will call for large and unusual expenditure OF
Whereas It is of the greatest Importance for
the growth, development and general welfare
of this city that the present rate of taxation
should be kept at the lowest possible point con-
sistent with good government. and,
Whereas The City of Portland is the holder
of large amount of stock OF the Portland Gas
Light company, viz: 100 shares Of the par
value OF $85, 900, being one fourth OF the entlre
amount OF stock outstanding and as such stock
holder has a right TO know the exact financial
standing of the company and to participate IN
an equitable division of its net earnings and,
Whereas. Said Gas Light company had on
the 4th day of Juue, 1888, net assets amount,
ing to $25S.000, as reported by the Commute OF
Investigation approved by the city that year,
and to which sum large amount must have
since been added, therefore,
Ordered, That the committee on finance be
and hereby is instructed and empowered. to
promptly make a full and complete examina-
fion OF the books of said gas light company,
and to report to this board at It's next regular
company and what extra dividend it can safely
and consistently pay to its shareholders. Also
in view OF the fact that other gas llgnt compa-
MES have recently made large reductions in the
price of gas to consumers, SAID commlttee Is
hereby instructed to confer with the said gas
company in regard to reduction in its present
rates, to secure all possible information as to
the present cost of producing gas both by TINS
company and other companies i'll New England
cities also the price charged. consumers per
the result of it's Investigations to this board
at the regular meeting OF the city council in
June next
The order was seconded by Alderman
Strout and was unanimously passed.
Alderman MCGOWAN here rose to a
point of order. Inasmuch as the records
had not been read, he tn ought all the
business done up to the present point IL
legal. The chair sustained the point of
order.
Alderman Strout moved that the read
ing of the records be dispensed with and
the motion was carried.
Alderman MCGOWAN said that mas
much as the meeting had now begun le-
gally he would offer an order. He called
attention to the movement for cheap gas
all over the country. He said the Port
land Gas Company must be in good con-
dition on account of the large dividends
it pays. He detailed the present stand
ing Of ithe gas company, saying the city
now owns 100 shares and they are worth
500 each. The net receipts of the COM
pany have ranged all the way from $780,
900 year to $4,000. The assets exceed
the liabilities over $250,000 He offered
the following order:
Ordered, That a special committee of three,
of whom the chairman shall be one be appointed
to confer with the officers of the Portland Gas
Light Company and obtain from them a detailed
statement of the assets and liabilities OF the
company at the present time, and also to ascer-
tain If it be not practicable to declare an extra
dividend and at the same time reduce the price
of gas to the consumers.
Alderman Strout said that he ap-
proved of the order, but not in the way
it had been put in. He thought the
structures made that the business up
to this point was illegal were very far
fetched. The gentleman from Ward 2
made no objection until he found that
an order had been introduced and passed
which covers all the ground that his
order does. Here ensued a little tilt be-
tween Aldermen MCGOWAN and Strout
as to which party had tried to rob the
other of the credit of introducing the
gas order.
Mr.. Josselyn said he had had this
matter in mind for several months, but
had concluded to let it lie over until the
present time. He saw nothing in Mr..
McGowan's order that improves upon
his
Mr.. MCGOWAN said Mr.. Josselyn was
asked last year to present such an or
der but failed to do so. He said this is
a citizens movement, a matter in which
we arc all interested. IL is oue III
which politics does not enter. He
thought the gentleman from had used
undue haste in introducing his order.
Mr.. Josselyn said that Mr. MCGOWAN
had asserted this is not political meas
ure, but he is now putting it in parti-
san way.
Mr.. MCGOWAN moved the previous
question.
Mr.. Strout rose to a point of order
but Mr.. Guptill ruled him out of order
and put the question on Mr.. McGow ms
order. 1t was carried, Mr.. Josselyn
voting no.
Mr.. Guptill now proceeded to make
the above appointments over again in
order that they might be made legally.
Mr.. Strout move that all the previou,
business transacted be made legal, but
this was ruled out of order,
The appointments were read again and
approved.
The chairman appointed as the special
committee to investigate the gas com
pany, Aldermen MCGOWAN and jesse
Ign.
Later in the evening, Alderman jesse
lvn inquired what was to become of his
order relating to the investigation of the