The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-10


the Governors Council, who has made
of tia building thoroughly adapted to
the comfort and health of it's inmates,
| The location of this domitory in our city
renders the establishment in it's vicinity
| by the State of well equipped institu-
| ton for the education Of the deaf, Ger
tainty at no remote day. Maine should
possess such an institution, and one not
| inferi or in any respect to that at Hart
ford or Northampton and steps should
| be taken at the next meeting of the leg
| islature to bring the subject forcibly to
| it's attention.. Under the able manage
ment of Miss Taylor and her assslst-
ants the efficiency of the school has been
| greatly increased, and so far as instruo-
ton goes it Is probably as good as any
| in the country. Some OF the pupils in
| the school have proved apt in manual
| work, and large number OF the new
| desks supplied during The year to our pub
! lie schools were made by them. Indus4
trial training is what the pupils n this
school especially need TO enable them to
secure foothold in the world, a fact
| which everyone connected with the
school recognizes. OF our High School
| but little need be said, because its work
is so conspicuous. We have reason to be
proud of it and of Its able management.
Every oitizen of Portland, who wit
messed the recent military drill in the
City Hall must have felt a thrill Of pride
at the manly department and soldierly
skill displayed by the young men who
participated in that exhibition. IT
would be well to extend the benefit Of
military exercise to other memb ers of
the school If our High Schools
| throughout the country, following the
example of the Portland High School,
should adopt the military drill and pur-
rue it with the zeal which her students
have displayed, the country would soon
possess we'll discipline force of young
men ready to respond to the call of duty
| when their services were required.
THE EVENING SCHOOLS
have been we'll attended during the win
ter, and have performed their usual
work, which is one of great benefit to
the community. Probably no appropria-
lion made by you is better expended than
that for tina work performed by these
schools
Before closing the subject of education
| would direct your attention to tho re-
port Of the Truant Officsr, whose work
is an important enc, and also to that of
tbs Superintendent of School Buildings.
] wish also to testify to the faithfulness
and efficiency of the Superintendent or
Schools. In our Board of Supervisors
the city Is fortunate in having the SER
vices of SO excellent body Of men, who
are willing to devote so much OF their
tins to the cause of education, without
remuneration.
THE REPORTS OF THE OVERSEER5
OF THE POOR AND THE CITY
PHYSICIAN
should receive your careful attention. A
great deal of time is devoted by these
officers, and especially by Mr.. Baker,
the sagacious secre taryof the board, to
the welfare of those whom vice, ineffic-
iency and misfortune have thrown like
wrecks upon public charity. Many of
the ;e unfortunates are afflicted with dis
ease, rendering tie duties of the City
| Physician onerous in the extreme. These
duties have been performed without fric-
| ton, and in highly cOmmeEdable man
ner. AS have before remarked, no out
lay of money not absolutely necessary for
| the i'm mediate welfare of the inmates,
| should be made upon the present build
| ings, and but little has been expended
| for improvements or repairs during the
necessary for the safety of the inmates,
the Public Buildings COMMITTEES recently
voted to place fire escape uIon the
building occupied by the insane. which
| will no doubt meet with tho approval of
| our citizens.
| You will be gratified to see by the
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER
of the Fire Department how small an
| II, I +ba
year, tbs total on buildings and personal
property being but three thousand four
hundred and sixty-six dollars (s9. 1869
You will see that considerable repairs to
apparatus have been made and that con-
siderable repairs are recommended to be
made the coming year. 1t is of course
important that our fire department.
should be kept up to its usual condition
Of efficiency and l have no doubt that
you will see that this is done, yet with
the greatest economy consistent with
good judgment. The fire alarm teie-
graph and telephone service has been
greatly improved the past ysar, and Is
now in excellent condition. BY an ex-
change Of poles, the Committee on Elec-
trical Appliances have effected an ar
rangement with the New England Tele~
phone Company, by which the wires
along considerable portion of CONGRESS
street will be placed under ground. This
is one step towards getting the unsightly
and dangerous electric wires under
ground, where it is to be hoped they VIII
I'LL GO at no distant day. You will no.
tioe the recommendation to place num-
Der of new hydrants both in the eastern
and western pc: tons of the city, rec
ommendation which l heartily endorse.
I also commend to your thoughtful con-
sideration the other recommendations
of the Chief, whose good sense and wise
management of this important depart
ment entitle his opinions to more than
ordinary attention.
THE REPORT OF THE CITY ELEC-
TRICIAN
will also be found o] interest. Few of
our citizens are aware of the completely
of the system under his charge, and how
much professional skill and knowledge
this officer must possess to entitle him
to the chief management of 50 important
a service. During the year many i'm