The Portland daily press., 1897-03-09
MAYOR BAxTER's ADMINISTRATION.


ed.
MAYOR BAXTEK's ADMINISTRATION.
The four years administration of Mayor
Baxter which closed yesterday was in
many ways one of the most notable in
the city IS history. 1t WAS distinguished
by many measures that bore Immediate
fruit in the way of better methods of
transRc.ing public business. Of extended
and improved educational facilities, OF
better roads and sewers. and by many
which yet inchoate will, If carried out,
full sense of the word progressive adj
ministration, looking not merely after
the nesds Of the present but always keep
ing in mind the demands of the future.
One of the earliest of Mayor Baxter
acts YVES the establishment of a school for
manual training, which is now in sue
cessful operation, and has become per-
manent feature of our educational estab-
lishment. The Mayor gave his salary to
this school, besides great amount OF
kindergartens also enlisted the Mayor
warm interest, one OF them being entire
ly supported by him the first year. The
High school building was remodelled
during Mr.. Baxtsr's administration and
made the equal, andEin some respects, the
superior of Ca,nbridge's model high
school building. By persistent effort an
appropriation for dormitory for the
school ofsthe deaf was secured, and new
building erected. A new school building
is now in process of erection on fMunjoy,
which will adequately supply the needs
of that locality.
One of the most important of the
Mayors achievements was the establish.
ment of the strest commission, which
was accomplished in the face Uf much
opposition, but which has already demo
strated its great value by taking the
street department. out of politics, by &c.
curing much better work ut less cost and
by compelling corporations to replace
pavements which they have taken up in
as good order as before. The building of
Liz OOut lu6rclhi OUEOoO bcWOE WdS III LII
portant work, and has cured the
nuisance which resulted from the con-
slant discharge Of sewage into the docks.
The Back Bay sewer has been begun,
and when completed will drain the
north slope Of tho city and a part Of
Deerine. It is an immense work, and
when finished will prove of incaloula-
BILE benefit 20 the city, removing perma-
nently a constant menace to sEe oity IS
health and comfort.
A very important adjunct to our fire
department added during Mr.. Baxter's
administration isgthe-rfre boat, whichaha
already paid for itself many times over
by saving valuable property on the water
front from destruction by fire.
By tho building of the armory and au-
want has heen supplied. Previous to the
construction Of this building the militia
hal been housed in inadequate quarters
at rentals aGgregating $4,000 year, and
such quarters as were needed could not
be secured for less than $4,000 or $4,000.
The building of this armory has fuI-
nished ample quarters at comparatively
low annual cost, aud hos provided a
spacious auditorium for public assem-
biies, industrial exhibitions. etc, from
which rentals may be obtained. Indi-
rectly also the armory he's been of much
bereft by improving property around it
and raising its taxable value.
A great deal of thought has been be-
slowed upnn ths park system, and much
has been accomplished towards both it's
Large additions have been made to Deer
ing Park by the purchase IF a large
tract on Portland street formerly covered
with old shantios, and the purchase Of
the Anderson and Tucker property SO as
TO continue New High street to the
tannery property, leaving tier of lots
on the eastern side which will pay the
cost of improvement and secure proper
terminus TO the Park. The acquisition
by exchange of the Brown property on
the sIope of the Western Promenade will
allow the building of driveway so as to
connect through B to Portland street.
Great improvements are making on
Portland street, a considerable portion
of the expense Of which will be borne by
the Portland Railroad Company. Ex-
tensive Improvements have been made at
Fort Allen Park, much Ian has been
ACQUIRED on Eastern Promenade and at
the end Of Tukey's bridge. Pride's
bridge has. been wholly rebuilt, and re-
tainine walls on York and Fore street
rslaid. Streets have been opened OH the
Poor farm lot and graded, sewers built
and lots sold at low prices with agree
MrurMr cKlM onAQ for little