The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-07
Its Affairs Considered by the City
Government.
FIRE COMMISSION PLAN DEFEAT
ED BY ALDERMEN.

preparation Finally Granted by Both
ered-A Play Ground in Back Bay.
Evergreen cemetery occupied large
share of the attention of the city fathers
last evening. In the Common Council,
after it had been called to order, Council
man Virgin presented largely signed
petition of prominent citizens asking
that special appropriation OF $4,000 be
made to continue the improvements in
Evergreen cemetery. Since 1890 this sum
has been appropriated annually; but this
year it was left out OF. the estimates. The
petition was very long, representing the
leading business and professional men
in the city.
After the reading of the petition Mr..
Virgin moved and theiCounoil voted that
the Aldermen be requested to unite in a
joint convention for the purpose of hear
ing representatives of the petitioners.
After the convention had assembled.
Judge Symonds was called upon. He
said he did not appear as an attorney,
but as a citizen. Thisswas an object
which had the earnest and serious inter-
est of the community. The trustees. were
of the opinion that the sum asked was
actually needed; and there was no doubt
that their opinion was correct. Neglect
this year would impair the work going
on so that really nearer two years would
be lost. The large tract on the wester-
ly side recently purchased, ought to be
drained, and some Of the soil there was
needed.in other places. Then the wester-
ly entrance from Stevens Plains avenue
had for long time been lying like pas
ture. This IL really the most conspicu-
Gus entrance, and it's appearance was
city. The trustees need the appropria-
tion in order that this entrance may be
improved this year. tits said also that
there are half as many miles of driveway
in Evergreen cemetery as there are in
the whole city of Portland. Constant
care and expenditure is demanded to keep
up this cemetery. An American who had
spent many years among the art trea-
snres of Italy, said re9retfully turning
towards home, that the only works of
art IN New England were the clouds
about the evening sunset. While we have
the sunrise in the Eastern promenade,
the sunset of the Western promenade.
md a well-kept and beautiful resting
place for our dead, we may say that Port
land is not without the most ennobling
and humanizing influences in her sur
roundings There is no better sign of
the spirit of a people than their care for
their dead. A well-kept CEN etery is a
constant reminder of the dignity and
worth of human association and human
life.
In conclusion Judge Symonds read a
telegram from Governor Cleavcs
expressing his regret at being
unable to be present to urge the appro-
priation.
Alderman Kehoe of Ward expressed a
wish to hear statement of the uses to
which the money already appropriated
had been put.
Mr.. Lyman Cousens, one of the trustees,
said the appropriations had been used for
the improvements which had been made
in recent years. Before appropriations
began to be made there were practically
no improvements. The income of the
cemetery, aside from what 1t has received
from the city government, averages over
$751; 900 yearly, of which about $4,000 comes
from the invested fund. If appropria-
lions from the city were to stop there
could be no Improvements.
MI. Kehoe asked how long they had
been receiving $4,000 yearly, and upon be-
ing told that it had been four years,
asked if they expected $4,000 every year.
Mr.. Cousens said that they needed it
now and he could not say how long they
might need it. New land ought to be-
bought, the fences must be rebuilt. the
driveways must receive extensive re-
pairs, the storm of last winter having
made considerable ravages.
Col. Fred N. Dow spoke of the tender
associations of the cemetery, and after
dwelling upon the sentimental side.
turned to the more practical question of
its management Evergreen cemetery
was the first institution of the city to
be Kept in the hands of a commission.
1t WAS fitting that the resting place of
our dead should be removed from prac-
teal politics AS to the question i'm
mediately involved. he felt that the city
could not afford to let the affairs of the
Cemetery drift along, even for year.
Collector John ". Deering SAID ne knew
little of the affairs of the cemetery at
present, but he never had known any
money spent for Evergreen cemetery
that was not we'll spent. He was in favor
of something being done; and was will
ing to pay his share.
Ex-Alderman Randall was called on.
He thoroughly believed that the appro-
priation should be made. Other objects
should yield If necessary, in order that
the cemeteries might be cared for.
Hon. Fred E. Richards when called
upon, expressed his sympathy with the
object of the petitioners.
Ex-Mayor Walker spoke of the strong
personal jnteras6 which ha falt in the