The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-02

uerIndu IrOJu Waru u, nli'A@o"t 49,
man of the convention on accounts,
should know about this matter.
Mr.. Dow said that the committee e4-
amined the bills. They did not Keep tne
books. That was done by the auditor.
Mr.. Rounds said that the committee on
Fourth of July expec ted to receive enough
in rebates from the railroads to pay the
bills, but it would take time to get that
money in and this means was taken that
the bills be paid Immediately. The order
was then passed.
Later, Mr.. Merrill introduced an order
transferring $4,000 from the appropriation
on lights to the contingent fund. He
said that with the Fourth of July and
other things the con tingent fund was in
need of money. The order was passed.
THE PARK STREET SCHOOL.
Alderman Lamson presented petition
from Judge Nathan Webb. asking that
an investigation be made of the Park
street school Mr.. Lamson also presented
u petition of George H. Cummings, M.
d., and 400 others for new school build
ing on Park street. Then Mr.. Lamson
followed the petitions with an order that
$500 be appropriated for tie tearing down
of the present building and the prepara-
ton of the lot for new building.
Alderman Rounds said that he had
heard today that the people of Ward 1
would be satisfied with the introduction
of better ventilation in the Monument
street school. He wanted to be sure of
this before the taking of the action pro-
posed in reference to the Park street
school.
Mr.. Merrill made similar statement
in reference to the Centre street school.
Alderman Lamson for thu public build
ings COMMITTEES, said that both the schools
mentioned .,were being put in satisfactory
condition.
The discussion then came on the mo-
ton of Mr.. Mannix to postpone action
until the September meeting.
Mr.. Rounds took the ground that there
should not be too much rushing of busi-
ness. One school building condemned a
few years ago, (the Spring strset), Is now
in use as part of state institution.
Mr.. Mannix asked If the members of
the board would be SO precipitous II they
were considering tearing down build.
ing they owned themselves. He thought
that the delay of q month in tearing
down the present building would make
no difference in the erection OF the nav,
which it is not proposed to begin this
year.
Alderman Rounds instanced case
where building was torn down on
Pleasant street in 4s hours.
The amendment was lost. to 3, Al
dermen Sprague, Mannix and Rounds,
voting for it.
Superintendent of Schools Lord was
then called upon and made statement,
repeating statements already made to
the bad sanitary condition of the Park
street school. Children and teachers were
frequently taken sick there; the floor in
the basement was of earth, the building
was permeated with bad odor. Ar
rangements had been made to care for the
children in other buildings for the next
wear. Mr.. Lord in response to questions
by Mr.. Rounds, said that he favored
the passage of the order. The present
building was of such shape and size
that the necessary lighting facilities
and space could not be secured by re-
modelling it.
d. W.Snow, ESQ.,, who was at the head
of the committee of citizens, which in
vestigated the building, also told of Its
bad condition, repeating the statements
about the illness of pupils and teachers
Mr. Snow said that his attention had
first been called to the matter by the ILL
ness of his own son and he had received
information of the Illness of the children
of others. A committee had been formed
and careful investigation made. Mr..
Snow in response to questions by Messrs.
Mannix and Rounds, said that he was
not himself judge, but he had been in
formed that the present building could
not be advantageously remodelled.
Alderman Rounds asked number Of
questions as to the placing of a ventilat-
ing system in the Monument street school
several years ago. He wanted to know
how long the alterations proposed now
would last. AS to the general question
of building school houses, Mr.. Rounds
said he favored building all that were
needed. He thought it entirely probable
that he should be in favor of passing
the order for tearing down the present
building, but he thought it should be
given proper attention by the board and
that time should be given for that pur-
nose. II don't know but it would be
better to give the old bricks away than
save them to use again." said the alder
man. sit may cost more to clean them
and pile them up than it would to buy
new ones. They may say the stink will
stick to the old bricks. They're got q
petition here with 400 names on it and
they say that that's half the citizens in
the ward. There used to be 1900 voters
in that ward. I happen to know some
thing about the voting list. (Laughter).
I don't care though where the names
come from. If it's better to tear down