The Portland daily press., 1898-03-15

The High School maintains q rank, il
| is believed, second to no other in the
State. The number Of scholars who at
tend, in proportion to the population OF
the city, Is claimed to be the largest to {
found in any city or town in Maine.
The sudden and tragic death of the la
mented Principal, Professor Edgar FL.
Crosby, was severe blow to the
school. as we'll as an affiictton to our
citizens. Prof Crosby WAS gen
tleman of high attachments, and his
noble character was continuous lnnu-
ence for good, both within and without
the school. 1t is believed that wortny
successor has been secured and that the
high position of the school may be fully
maintained.
| This school is now greatly oramped for
room, but in the new and commodious
building, where 1t will soon be located.
1t will have ample room for expansion
and development. There Is no feeling In
this community more general or more
pronounced than that our schools must
have SO far as possible, all that they re-
quire.
STREETS.
The appropriation for streets, bridges
ana sidewalks last year, as appears by
the books, was $12, 42l.13 That this
amount was inadequate would seem to
be evident from the fact that 1t had to be
subsequently increased to meet an expen-
diture of $23, 1877. 55. Among all munich
pal problems and duties there are none
more troublesome nor which require
more judgment and frmness than those
which relate to the department. Of streets.
| The streets of DeeriDg extend over about
| sixty two mtles-not greatly in excess OF
the mileage of adjoining towns. The
greater part of these do not need expen-
| sive repairs In this outlying districts,
| a clean, well shaped and we'll drained
! gravel road is altogether to epreferred to
pavement. In the thickly settled por-
| tions, subject to more travel and heavier
| teams, tirmer and more solid road bed
| Is necessary. These facts are patent to
| everyone, and | can offer no suggestion
| further than this: that our committee
and our city government shall, in all
cases, exercise sound Judgment and dis
erection, and be sure that no job is under
taken until 1t is made clearly apparent
| what the necessity is for the work, which
is proposed to be done, and what the full
cost is likely to be. 1t is beyond ques-
tion that nothing adds more to residen-
tial city, like ours, than good streets and
sidewalks, and that we should act as gen.
eTously in this direction as we can afford
but with the troublesome limitation
that we must not go further than we can
afford 1t is important that the grade
and linen of streets should be made GER
tain, SO far as possible, in order that
AUDITORS may know where to place their
shade trees and improvements. The city
engineer has already done much in this
direction.
1t is believed that our committee on
streets, the coming year will exercise the
duties of their very responsible position
in a manner creditable IT, themselves and
beneficial to the city.
FOREST AVENUE.
Forest Avenue has for years been q
source of large expense to Deering. Like
the small end of tunnel it gathers the
travel from wide area of towns. 1t has
now been widened, it's lines established
and its grade determined. The city will
have to finish putting it in suitable con-
dition within it's new bounds. This work
will, / believe call for a special appropri-
alton after the committee have made their
examination and reported their esti-
mates.
SEWERS.
With the organization of the city it
was wisely determined that plans and es-
Inmates for symmetrical sewer system
should be made and preserved. By
amendment to the Charter that feature
has been made permanent. Sewers have
been located and built in various parts of
the oity as its rapid growth has required.
Large expense has, in this way, been in
CURED which has made little or no show.
though of inoaleulable benefit and actual
necessity for city advancing upon mod
halle hot he moi IN
system OF sewers is now SO far completed
that there will be no immediate need for
large extensions. If this proves to be the
fact, 1t will release the treasury from
what has been for some years. heavy
and continuous source Of expense, though
as an investment it has in fact paid the
city good interest in the way of better
buildings and increased valuation.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department of Deering is in a
high state of efficiency and discipline.
Its appearance on parade last Fourth of
July was a source of pride and gratitica
ton to our citizens. 1t is claimed, with
good reason, that it can, and does, do
substantially as effective work as it could
by using engines. 1t is, believe,
demonstrated fact that, owing to the
strong pressure, the Hose Companies can
throw heavy stream over the highest
building in Deering. The promptness
and capacity of the department has been
shown In the few occasions during the
past year when their services have been
needed. The officers and men take
worthy pride in keeping everything in
the best possible condition. The fire
alarm system is strictly first class and
with the improvements made the past
year, can be relied upon and may be re-
garded as Invaluable.
Taken for all In all, few places can
equal Deering in the reliability and
effectiveness Of it's fire department.
THE POOR.
would refer you to the report of the
Oyerseers of the Poor for detailed account
of the care taken of the unfortunate poor
on the City Farm and outside. The man
agement of this department is very salts
factory. The income of the farm from
its gravel pit and labor of teams, reduces
the net expense to a small amount.
POLICE.
The Police Department consists of q