The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-06
BROADSEDES Oh ORATORY.
City Fathers Talk for Three Solid
Hours.
ALDERMAN ROUNDS HAD FULL
RIGHT OF WAY.

He Takes Exception to the Assessors In
crease of the Tax Rate, and THINKS
They Should look Around for More
Corporation Property to Taxa Prop
osjtion for Cheaper Electric Lighting.
Though the regular meeting of the city
council fell on a holiday the members OF
both boards were on hand, last evening,
and buckled down to task which Kept
them in session nearly three hours.
They were not actually doing business
all that time, for large share OF the ses-
sion went to waste in debate and dialogue
over trivial matters, out of which nothing
was evolved. Alderman Rounds, as
usual, was given FREQ rein and he spoke
an average of about six times on every
question that came before his board. At
various times during the evening he
crossed swords with nearly every member
of the board, and he also had lively
bout with the city auditor, who arose
from the spectators seats and in self-de-
Tense replied to some of the criticisms of
his figures that the board INDUCED in.
Most OF the business transacted related
to. licenses, street repairs, sidewalks, the
moving of buildings, and other matters
of little Importance One thing of special
interest that came up for action was a
proposition of the Cumberland Illuminst-
ing company to furnish the city of Port
land and its Inhabitants with cheaper
electric light. Accompanying 1t was
petition of tine Portland Electric Light
companyfor the privilegesof erecting poles
and stringing wires within the city
limits. Upon this petition a hearing was
assigned for Tuesday, September 90
THE INFIRMARY ENGINE.
In the board of aldermen all the mem
bers were1n their seats when Mayor Ran
dali called them to order.
He took from his table a resolution that
had been presented at a pusvious meeting,
and a hearing ordered, summonipg be-
fore the board officers ofsthe Maine Eye
and Ear Infrmary to explain Why
steam engine had been established in that
institution without having obtained per-
NIT from the city government
DR.. Holt, being invited to answer to
the resolution, said that the steam engine
in use at the intirmary is temporary
one, in use since the gasoline engine was
sold. He did not consider it nuisance.
There had been no complaint from any
of the parties inside the building in
reference to. the engine. In putting in the
temporary engine the managers had
thoughtlessly neglected to apply for a
permit
Mr.. Albion Little. representing the
officers of the infirmary. apologized to. the
board for the failure to appay for the per-
init before the engine was put in. He
said it is the intention of th, managers to
put in double action Westinghouse
engine, comparatively noiseless, and with
no outside exhaust. He thought the new
engine would be in within month.
On motion of Alderman Low, privilege
was granted for the Temporary mainte-
Ear Infrznary period of one month.
Later petition for permit for the
putting In OF the new engine and boiler
was referred to the proper committee.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. MATTERS.
On motion of Alderman Rounds, the
COMMITTEES on fire Department. was au-
thorized to spend $4,000 inArepairs on En-
CINE 4.
An osder was passed Id eating five
hydrants on Vine, Grove and Grant
streets. Accompanying it Ahe alderman
from Ward put in an ordea requesting
the Portland Water company to lay an
eisht-inoh main on these threw streets, to
connect with tine hydrants. He explained
that it had been the custom fo1s the city to
pay the cost of laying these rmalns, but
there was 4 no reason why tiae company
should not stand the whole expense Its
charter says 1t shall supply waiter to all
applicants in the city, and as the city is
a water taker, the company isfbound to
comply with its demand.
"What If the company should refuse TO
lay the new main at its own texpenseP"
asked Alderman Mannix, "wllat would
be the final outcome? The order to put in
the hydrants has already been passed.
How would we supply them, ifth COM
pany does not see fit to comply with this
requestf"
"rm no lawyer" replied Alderman
Rounds, shut suppose that if the water
company refuses to supply the city of
Portland with water for those hydrants 1t
will be practically breaking its charter,
and when its charter has once been
broken, the way is open for any other
water company to come in"
The order was given passage.
SIDEWALKS AND STREETS.
Alderman Merrill presented petition
for a sidewalk on the southerly side of
Federal street, beyond Market street. 1t
was referred to the committee on public
works, with instruction to report.
Glow many of the petitions for side
walks that have been referred to that
committee this year have been pigeon
holeda" asked Aid erman Rounds.
The Mayor replied that they had not