The Portland daily press., 1899-06-09
Tax Rate Will Not Be
Increased.
Ward One Gets Chemical
Engine.

- f&'4NtA
council last evening. The supporters of
this bill met with en- easy victory last
evening Ms IL oocssioned no debate in
either branch. The passage OF this bill
was great victory for Mayor Robinson
who has thus succeeded in keeping the
tax rate down.
Ward one CITES combination engine by
an order passed last evening. Hose COM
panies 10, 10 and IA are disbandeds and
other Deering companies are limited to
ten men each. Hose companies s and 0
and hook and ladder In Deering are to
be formed into permanent men and pro.
vided with horses
the members were present except Alder.
man Frye of ward nine.
Alderman Merrill presented an order
for an appropriation of $500 for the OBJ
servance of Fourth Of July. The order
WAS pacsed without debate.
The auditors annual report was pre-
sented and referred to the committee on
accounts
On motion OF Alderman Lamson, the
committee on reduction Of the city debt
was instructed TO report at the next meet
ing the condition of the sinking fund.
INTEREST ON TAXES.
Alderman Moulton moved reconsider
alton of the vote of the last meeting,
whereby an ordinance relating to interest
on delinquent taxes was passed to be
enacted. He explained that the ordinance
provided for charge Of six per cent on
taxes beginning December lst. The city
treasurer had expressed the opinion that
as the customary discount on taxes is to
be done away with, the charging Of In.
terest ought to begin September 1st, In
stead of December LIST; otherwise, much
delay may be experienced In collection
aud the city be subjected to two months
additional interest on money hired in
anticipation of taxes.
Mayor Robinson read IA communica-
tion from che treasurer, stating his view
of the matter, ana suggesting that on
taxes paid prior to October Sist rebate
of interest charged could be made.
The vote was reconsidered. the ordi-
nance amended in accord with the treas
urer's request and passed through the
various stages.
Under the new ordinance interest az
six per cent will begin September LIST,
but to all who pay their taxes before o.
tober Slst no interest will be charged.
ABOUT LICENSES.
The petition OF N. A. Bruins for H.
cense to blast rock with dynamite at "a
Elm street was granted, but the pstitlon
of Riohard g.. Smith for permission to
blast Indefinitely during the remainder
of the year was tabled on motion of AL
derman Mannix.
4 George A. Stevenson was granted a
license for his billiard hall at corner Of
Congress and Pearl streets.
Petitions of Charles e. Cushing and r.
N. Calderwood for yictuallers' licenses,
the former at Long island and the latter
on Congress street, were referred.
SIDEWALK VENDORS MUST PAY.
Alderman johnson introduced an ordi.
nance forbiddine the sale of merchandise
on sidewalks without the payment-of a
license of $50. The ordinance explained
that it had no reference to farmers Gales
of produce. 1t provides for fine Of from
s15 to $50 for every violation.
The ordinance was given It's first read
ing only. its passage being checked by q
motion of Alderman Dow to refer Il to
the committee on ordinances, with in
struction to report at the next meeting
of the city council.
BUILDING PERMITS.
The following petitions for buildin a
permits were granted, subject to approval
of committee; N. A. Jacobs, addition to
dwelling at 81 High street; @. A.
Rounds. private stable, rear Fox street;
Ellen e. Peabody. cottage on. Ocean
View avenue, Peaks island; d. +. and
A. S. Rines, dwelling. rear of 645 Con-
grsss street; Il. W. Hunt, dwelling, "a
Emery street.
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED.
The conference over the appropriation
bill was long dra wn out. The bone of
contention was the lower boards At
tempted reduction Of $4,000 in the appro-
priation for Estreet lights. which the COM
mittee finally approved.
Alderman Moulton reported in the up.
per board for the conference COMMITTEES.
He said the committee had been informed
that it would be impossible to make q
saving Of $4,000 on lights, but In order q
avoid a deadlock the committee had final
ly decided to accepu the reduction. So the
bill now stood as amended by the lower
board, last Monday night, the street
lights item being 1900 instead Of s4s.-
900.
4 The appropriation bill, as reported By
the conference committee, was given Q