The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-13

| costing not less imam W, 900. The result
has been that eleven lots have been al
ready sold for sums aggregating 81, 97s.
| a. and houses will soon be erected upoI
| them. which will add at least $40, 00l
to the taxable property of the city, ane
| T see no reason why as much may moi
| be done during the coming year.
Our Cemeteries and Public Parks cal,
| for attention In my former inaugural
recommended liberal appropriation for
their improvement. The wretched con
dition of Fort Allen Park particularly
demanded attention, and visitors to that
delightful outlook will, l trust, appre-
ciate what has been, done there. Some
time ago I opened correspondence with
the Manager of the Grand Trunk Rail
way. requesting that the Company should
Join the city in constructing substan-
tial parapet along the brow of the Gill
bordering the Company's property, or to
convey the narrow strip OF LAND upon !n :
cliff to the city that 1t may itself build
such parapet to prevent accidents for
which the Company might otherwise be
liable. / hope to be able to arrange the
matter at an early day, satisfactory to all
in terests.
Previous to my administration negotia-
tions had taken place between the city
and the Brown heirs, for the transfer TO
the city of the land lying along the slope
been abandoned. l believe that this
land can now be acquired upon terms
favorable to the city, aud would re-
commend the appointment of a commit
tee to negotiate with the owners for the
acquisition of the property. Deerlng
Park is one of our chief prides, and is
capable of annual improvement. Inc
unsightly condition of the premises on
Portland street easterly of this park calls
for a change. During the past few
months I have taken steps to ascertain
whether some portion of this neglected
property could be obtained at fair
price. / am satisfied that now is the
time to acquire it. and | advise that
the committee, which may be appointed
to negotiate with the Brown heirs, may
also be empowered to take the necessary
steps to acquire this property. Before
leaving this subject I wish to express
my COMMUNICATION of the efficient SER
vices. which the Commissioners OF Gene
teries and Public Grounds and the
Trustees of Evergreen Cemetery have
rendered to the city.
Armories for the use Of the four mill
tary companies established here are re-
ouired bY law to be furnished by the
city. At present the annual cost to the
City for rent of quarters for these com
panies is over two thousand dollars;
equal to four per cent. interest on fifty
thousand dollars; and the quarters fur
nished are wholly inadequate to the ac-
oommodation of their occupants. An
efficient military body, located within
immediate call OF the. City Hall: may at
times be of great use to the city. and
suitable quarters should be furnished
them. By doing this, and placing the
men prominently in the public eye. the
discipline and efficiency of the force can
but be augmented.
By the recent purchase of the Brown
heirs of narrow strip of land separate
ing two pieces of property belonging to
the city on South street, L have secured
a suitable site for such an armory, and
have caused plans to oe prepared for a
modest but convenient building to be
placed upon it, Fam sure that the
erection of such a. building will be
greatly for the advantage of the tax pay
ers, and | shall ask for moderate
appropriation for this purpose.
In conclusion wish to call your at
mission, which the City Council in its
wisdom has recenGly created. For long
time complaints have been made of the
system of managing the streets and
sewer departments. These two impor-
tant departments have been separately
managed by committees of the city gov
eminent, which were constantly chang
ing, JQfOuSu DupCI1HtCudGAo "a ~ u CCo1
also subject to the vicissitudes of politi-
cal conditions. Not only were streets soon
aftersbeing repaired torn up for the ex-
tension or repair of sewers, but work in
progress Of construction in both depart
ments arrested by a change in manage
ment, was often not continued by the
new managers. thereby entailing I'M
necessary loss to the CITY,.
Continuity of management was felt to
be public demand, and the City Coun-
Gil heartily cooperated with me in insti-
tuting change. By the present arrange
ment. Commissioners have been appoint
ed from both political parties holding
offices for different lengths of time, the
city's Civil Engineer being it's chair.
man. 1t is believed that the profession
al pride, and scientific knowledge of this
official will ensure good results, while
continuity of work SO long demanded
will be attained. In connection with
this, the classification of labor by the
commission will not only be of benefit
to the city, but will stimulate the men
in it's employ to excel in the particular
work to which they are adapted. This
commission will, I believe, prove Of
lasting benefit to the city, and ultimately
to the city's employees.
Finally, I trust that you will give
careful attention to all the accompany
ing reports, to some of which I have
but briefly alluded.