The Portland daily press., 1895-01-15
LIKE A TOWN MEETING.
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Continued from First Page.
fare of the city. He had Investigated some
what the question under discu ssion, and he
thoroughly approved the commission ana
its work. 1t was now prevailing sentiment
among the citizens of the city that there
should be better business methods. and the
large attendance here was an evidence OF
this act. Mr.. Libby said that he apreci-
ated the diftic ulties of the city government
in this matter. 1t had notsLeen elected
with this subject particularly in view. But
it had the experience of this city during
the year that the commission mas been tried
and it had the experience of other cities.
Of course the value of any commission de-
pended on the men composing it. Insuffic-
lent OF peryerse men might render a COM
mission worse than useless. But Mr.. Libby
did not believe that commission like the
one under discussion would BIO open 10 this
criticism. Portland's experience with COM
missions had been profitable and pleasant.
The park commission had wrought great
improvements in the public grounds. which
year by year had grown steadily in neatness
and beauty. The commission on Evergreen
cemetery, under the lead of the lamented
Frederick Fox, had done similarly good
work for the citys' burial place.
The advantages of the commission plan
was that it gave continuity and system to
the work; and removed it from the stress
or political relations. On all sides he heard
commentator of the commission. and he
believed that the citizens generally were
coming forward to it's support. They would
like to place it on permanent footing, and
for that reason would like to have the legis-
lature act. tApplause0
COLONEL A. ". BRADBURY
said that there WIS one view upon which
he would like to touch, namely, the view
of the labor of the city. Some would look
upon this matter from the Taxpayers
standpoint. others from. the point.-of view of
those who desire better roaos. But he
should like to consider it briefly from the
1aboring mans standpoint He had conclud-
ed that this commission is far and away in
their favor. beyond anything that we have
had in this city before. have heard the
views of the scientists and the engineers.
and also of the laboTing men. Some of. the
latter have felt that it worked against them;
but that cannot be so. Mr.. Bradbury then
went on to explain how the street laporors
were hired upon basis fair to all. and es-
pecially advantageous to the faithful and
self-respecting working mar. Under the
old system excellence.:skill. diligence and
long residence il Portland did not neces-
sarily count. Now they do. AS we expect
men to know something of all other lines of
business in which they embark, why
shouldn't they know something of this also.
Under the present system the wandering
nan cannot come in and elbow the old resi-
dent out OF the way. This commission was
the best thing for the city, and he hoped to
see it made permanent. tApplause.)
MR.. PERCY H RICHARDSON.
of jordan & Richardson, said he wished to
speak few words in behalf of the wheel
men of the city. The former city govern
ment had established the street commission,
and at the beginning OF the year:this coun-
Gil had Con firmed the commission. 1t was
now question between the street commits
sion and the old system of street commits
sioners. Mr.. Richardson then went on to
show by statistics illustrated by diagram
the advantages claimed for the commission
in the way of permanent work done. This
permanent work was. shown by this diagram
to be far in excess of that done lastsyear or
any other year. Mr.. Richardson closed with
Plea that the city council might act wise
Iy and sustain the institution that had done
SO well forsthe city. (ALplause.)
Mr.. EdgarsE. Rounds, who is opposed to
the commission. asked a question as to the
money on: hand, which Mr.. Richardson
promptly answered.
EX-MAYOR JOHN ". DEERING,
said that he was well satisfied with the con-
dition of the streets of Portland for the last
ten years. He believed in the work that
the commission had done during the year
and thought the citizens generally were
satisfied with it. He did not believe that
any member of the city council wanted to
disc ontinue the commission. But he did not
believe in going to the legislature for an
act. There was much more reason for 60
ing to the legislature for new city char
ter to replace our present Anticipated ar
rangemen:. The present charter did not
give Mayor Baxter or any Mayor his due.
Mr. Deer ing spoke highly of the present city
engineer. but.criticized the pr ovisions of
the proposed legislative bill. Mr.. Deering
said he had asked about twenty-five men
VIII ) had signed petitions for legislative ac-
ton, why theygdid il, and they replied that
they had done it to get rid of the man who
brought the petition. tApplause)
EX-MAYOR GEORGE WALKER,
said he had listened with much pleasure to
the remarks of Captain" Deering. He
believed in all men doing the things for
which they were trained. He likedto see
sailors sail ships and lawyers expound the
law. Mr.. Deering wanted to see the old city
charter amended, but, in the.same breath
he didn't want 1t amended.
II leave the judgment on that assertion to
the gentlemen here" said Mr.. Deering as
he stalked from the hall.
Mr.. Walker then went on to explain the
desi1ability and even necessity of having
the powers of the commission con firmed by
the legislature. Mr.. Walker then went on
to picturesque review of the state of the
parks and public grounds before the COM
mission of parks were established. What
had been the result. The Oaks, which
Ivy n11ico hay he