The Portland daily press., 1897-03-09

year, ana the problem is, how hest to 90
IL, and this leave to your careful, in
telllgenS Judgment
SCHOOLS.
Next to the finances in Importance !
place the public schools, for If we would
have our city proper in the future, it is
important that we should have the
children instructed in everything that goes
to make the ideal citizen, and | am
pleased to inform you that the schools
are IN good condition, and not only an
nonor TO this city, but credit to the
charge, and hope you will grant them
1he same liberal appropriation that has
characterized your acts in the past.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Our school buildings, with the excep
tion of two or three. are in good condi-
tion. and credit to the city. Work has
already been commenced on new school
house in ward /, and l recommend
special appropriation to complete the
same.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Under our efficient street commission.
our streets are rapidly being brought
into good condition. A large amount Of
permanent work has been done ths past
year, and quite an amount Ia under con-
struction, which must be completed the
coming year, principally the widening OF
Portland street, and the building Of
Tukey's bridge.
The building of the new elevator will
largely increase business and traffic at
the Grand Trunk depot, and as CONNER
cial street at this point contains SO many
railroad tracks, 1t is very important that
Fore street.-the put in good condition to
relieve Commercial street OF the heavy
teaming going to and from the Grand
Trunk station, and / urgently recon-
mend that arrangements be made to pave
Fore street from Union street to India
street at as early date as possible.
The com missioner OF public works re-
ports the total expenditure In the street
department for eleven months, ending
February 20, 1897, wa6, $91. 571. Al.
The appropriation and receipts for the
same period amounted to $94, 247. 03.
Leaving a balance unexpended OF ",
CTS. 60, which withathe. money due in pro-
cess Of collection will be sufficient for.the
needs of the department for the remain
der of the year.
Of the amount expended for street
work S42, OF was applied directly to
labor, as shown on the pay rolls OF the
department.
OF the total amount expended, the
sum of $40, S12. So or A 40 per cent was
for new paving, new grading, new side
walks, etc.
Thirty five per cent of the money ex
pended forssparmanent work WAS for new
pavinR; thirty-one per cent for new
inacadam: twenty two per cent for new
sidewalks and nine per cent for new
cutters, cross walks, drive-ways, culverts
and new street grading.
SIDEWALKS.
The length of sidewalks in--the city at
the present time is fifty miles, of which
/. IS miles has been built during the past
year.
Owing to the great demands made Cd
the department the last few years for
new sidewalks, it has been impossible to
do much relaying, but during the past
year special attention has been given to
this work, and more thBn two miles OF
brick walks have been relaid in yarious
parts of the. oity; the total cost of new
sidewalks laid during the year was 49,,
309.3l.
PARKS AND PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Portland is justly celebrated for the
healthfulness of her climate and the
beauty of her location, and is rapidly at
tracing the attention Of the summer
tourist from all parts of our country It
is proper, therefore, that we Should do
everything in our power to increase her
beauty and attTactiveness. l have ex
amined the system Of park improvement,
recently inaugurated, and in the main 1t
meets my hearty approval, and hope that
kI.<f j,nx.r nff hn nj TT yyIl
allow 1t will be carried to completion,
and trust you will grant this depart
ment as large an appropriation as posi-
BILE the coming year.
POLICE.
Nothing impresses the visitor to our
CITY more favorably, than to see an eff
Gent and well organized police force. 1t
is guarantee of safety to life and pro-
lection to property which will. next to
business resources, induce the capitalist
to settle in our midst. ] think our pres
emit force compares well with that OF
cities Of our size, and hope you will ap-
prove OF anything which will tend to In
crease its efficiency.
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
1t is our bounden. duty to deal literally
with those unfortunate persons who have
become the wards of the city. Many of
them have seen better days, and through
no fault OF their own, but from a chain
of circumstances, which they could not
control, have become charge on the
city.
We cannot afford to be parsimonious In
their care and support, and I trust you
willevote n SUM sufficient to meet all the
requirements of this department..
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Portland is justly proud of her fire de-
partment. In point of efficiency 1t is
the equal of any in the United States.
The chief Of this department reports 1t
in coed condition, and will not require
any excessive outlay the coming year.
The large increase of wooden buildings
IN ward 1ssrenders it important that 1t
should receive additional fire protection
In. thernear future, and commend this
matter to your serious attention. Sj
md 10 or oxr-j,,1 in, H.