The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-09

Walk In 1rODG OF edcn tOb. ITO SApon0S;
a part being borne by the city is COM
parativeIy small 1would recommend
a fairly liberal appropriation for this de-
partment.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There is no arm of the city'n service
that has increased go rapidly in efficiency
in.the past three years, as the fire Depart
ment.
We have now an ambitious we'll
equipped and we-organized departments,
and II believe that the city has made no
investments that has given quicker re-
turns in lower rate of insurance ana Il
feeling of security in our possesslons,
thanihas money spent for our Ere De-
paftment.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
Under the efficient management OF our
city electrician, Mr.. Moody, this depart
ment has made rapid advance, ana To-Day
will compare favorably with the best In
the country. We have at the present
time thirteen miles of wire: nine alarm
boxes, two bell strikers, together with a
central Office for batteries, switch Doaru.
and all apparatus necessary to operate
the present system, and also ai1ef IL
has been extended to other sections OF
our city, which expect to see done in
the near future.
I would recommend a specific appro-
priation for this department., to avoid
confounding 1t with the fire department.
proper.
CITY FARM AND OUTSIDE POOR.
I feel that the management OF the city
dana TsfmpnG de-
mand the approval of every citizen. In
my Judgment it would be hard to find a
more conscientious, painstsking board OF
overseers, tthAn the:one which has the
care of this department. The inmates at
the farm are cared for in Il manner which
makes life as pleasant as can be under
such circumstances. Those outside the
home who come under their care recaiye
every attention which their needs re-
quire The.aiin Of. the board seems to be
to tighten the burden of these unfortu-
mates.
The buildings at the city farm should
be painted this year. l believe 1t should
besthe policyssof the city to keep its school
houses and farm buildings well painted
and in good repair: for good buildings.
nicely and neatly kept, are an ornament
to any community.
POLICE.
This is department which shas given
us some trouble in the past, and is a
difficult problem to solve for this reason !:
Many of our citizens in the more thickly
settled portions feel that police protection
should be furnished the different sections
of our city, while those in the outlying
districts feel that money should not be
spent in this way. That certain
amount of police protection is needed, l
have no doubt, and | would recommend
that careful investigation Of this sub
ject be made with the hope that we may
be able to placs patrOlmen at just those
points where they are needed; and in
making out appropriations, let us make
one for this department. sufficient for It's
needs.
Gentlemen-In closing, let me remind
you that we have been elected to positions
Of trust and honor by our fellow citizens
Let us look to it that we SO discharge
our duty that We may retain their esteem
and confidence. Let US make an honest
endesvor to SO distribute the benefit to
be derived from the appropriations, that
a large majority will be satisfied always
bearing in mind that one of the funda-
mental principles Of good public business
be it national, state or municipal, lies
in doing the greatest good to the greatest
number.
Mayor Davis appointed the following
list of standing committees for the year:
Finance-Mayor, Gowan, Aver.
Streets. Sidewalks and Bridges-Mat-
thews, Gowen, Cram.
Lights and Water-Cobb, Matthews,
Seal
Fire Department and Supplies Cram,
Gowen, Aver.
Claims-Mayor Matthews, Seal.
Public Buildings-Gowen, Lance Cobb.
Folice-Mayor, Aver, Lane.
Printing-Seal. Cobb, Lane.
. Sewers-Ayer, Lane, Gram.
Licenses-Mayor, Lane, Cobb.
Observation-Disclosures
Engrossing Ordinances-Seal.
The aldermen then adjourned to the
council chamber where an executive
session was held.
The first business of the meeting was
the election Of permanent chairman.
Alderman Matthews presented the name
of Alderman Wyer P. Aver: Aver was
unani mously electe by ballot.
The rules and orders Of the last council
were adopted.
The board proc eeded to the election of
subordinate officers. The following is
the list
Clerk, Collector and Urea surer-L. f.
Jones.
Street mmissioner-Abner Il. Smith.
City Solioitor-Fred Y. Matthews
Il. B. Chapman had one vote.)
Civil Misunderstanding w Barbour.
City Pbysician-Charles W. Foster.
Auditor-Albert c.. Bragg, IL. b.
Chapman also had one vote for this
Chief of Fire Department-Fred W.
Peck.