The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-11
The CITY GOVERNMENT.
Special Meeting to Sanction a Widening
of the Ferry Slip. and for Other BUSH
ness-A Parliamentary WrangIe.

r.
ment was held last evening, chiefly fol
the consideration of the following petit
ton:
To the Honorable City Council Of fhe City
OF Portland.
Respectfully represent the Peoples
Ferry Company that the Ferry slip here
rofore cons ructed by the city of Port
land for the accommodation of the ferry
operated by this company between Port
land and South Portland is inadequate
for the wants of the public, and that the
company is ready to contract Tor the
construction of a steam ferry boat ITO
feet long, by AZ feet in extreme width,
of sufficient size to furnish a double
driveway for teams on said boat, and
well equipped and furnished for the
needs of said business. That in order
to accommodate such boat said ferry
slip should be widened about eight feet;
that said Peoples Ferry Company have
made arrangements with the owners of
said wharf by which the right to make
such widening can be obtained without
expense to said city. That said new
boat can be ready for public travel by the
first week in April, and it is important
that any changes in said slip should be
commenced at an early date. Wherefore
the Peoples Ferry Company pray that
this honorable body will enlarge said
slip by widening the same about eight
feet, so as to accommodate a boat of the
dimensions aforesaid, as a smaller boat
will not meet the wants of public travel.
And as in duty bound, will ever pray.
PEOPLES FERRY Co.
by GEORGE s. HUNT,
JAMES p. BAXTER.
This petition was considered in joint
convention, and Messrs. Baxter aud
Hunt were present to explain the
purposes of the Ferry Company.
Mr.. Baxter explained that boat of
the width of the old one was entirely
inadequate for the business, and that
the new boat must be wider, with two
drive ways. The Ferry Company had
arranged so that no land damages would
come upon the city. The cost of the
widening would not be far from $1,000.
The slip would be widened on both
sides.
After an examination of the plans,
Civil Engineer Jordan said the slip had
never been wide enough and he thought
that the city should makeit even wider
than the company ask. He thought the
expected cost, 50 for pulling and 81
for driving again per pile, was moder-
ate.
With regard to width of slip, Mr. Bax-
ter said the company were to have a
boat that would steer much better than
did the old boat and therefore they
thought that eight feet additional width
would be sufficient.
Mr. Bennett, who made the figures on
the change, was present and answered
some questions in relation to the
work
When asked if the Peoples Ferry
Company would take the contract to do
the work, Mr.. Baxter said they would
agree to do it, and would guarantee that
the cost to the city should not be over
$500, and that the city should have the
advantage of any less cost than this.
Councilman Webb said that some of
the board did not understand why the
CITY should be called on to pay for wild
ening way for private company.
Mr.. Hunt replied that it was a high
way like any other highway.
After the dissolution of the joint con-
vention, Alderman Stevens presented an
order to appropriate sum not exceed
ing $500 for the widening of the way,
the sum to be harged to the contingent
fund.
Alderman Gallagher then presented an
order which was passed, giving the work
to the Peopl IS Ferry to do, in accord
ance with Mr.. Baxter's proposition.
When the first order reached tie coun-
order should be referred to the commit
tee on streets, sidewalks and bridges.
Councilman Randall spoke in favor of
the order.
Councilman Kehoe objected to the
form of the order claiming that it does
not sufficiently protect the city's inter-
ests.
Councilman Little spoke in favor of
the order, taking the stand that if the
Ferry Company are to take the contract,
it should be left with them to expend
the money as they see fit.
Councilman Randall offered as an
amendment that the money should be
expended for the work to be done under
the supervision of the city civil engineer.
Councilman Web suggested non-con-
currence and committee of conference
to draw up an order that will meet the
approval of both branches.
Action being taken on Councilman
Randalrs amendment, the amendment
was lost.
Councilman Webb moved non-concur-
renee. and a committee of conference,
and his motion was carried.
This committee was made up 0 Al
dermen Stevens and Josselyn sand Coun-
cilmen Tibbettss Knowles and Smith.
The second order, Mr.. Gallagher's, was
simply non-concurred in.
The result of the conference was a
practical yielding on the part of the
council.
The order then went to the council.
In the course of the consideration of
the order there was aspicy parliamentary
tilt between President MCGOWAN and
Mr.. Kehoe The order was amended by
the changing of 1.-THE" to ''a'' in the first
1;,o ,,,J H., n ,ro,,ocitin, goffarad hu Mr.