The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-04
Pc: R:UNAl
CURES CATARRH /
OF STOMACH. BOWELS. MONEYS |
AND FEMALE ORGANS.
SOME OFFICIAL OPINIONS.

Alderman Brown read an opinion from
this city solicitor on three questions pro-
pound I'd at a recent meeting regarding
the city's right TO tax telephone CON-
panies, telegraph companies and street
railroad companies.
The first question was as to whether
these companies have permanent rights
In the streets 10 this question the city
solicitor replied that these corporations
did not have perpetual rights In the
streets. The charter Of the Portland
Railroad company stipulates that the
street can be used for twenty five years
with a renewal for fifty years. On Ocean
street the old ohartsr stipulated thirty
years with a renewal for thirty years. In
case the municipal officers grant locations
TO other companies or persons these shall
purchase the stock of the old companies
Regarding the question as to these COM
panies being taxed, the city solicitor
states that franchise tax is levied by
the state,
Regarding the question as to the sys-
tenn 70 be pursued in exacting taxes from
thess companies for the city the city
solicitor replies that this must be brought
about by legislative enactment.
Regarding question as 70 whether the
municipal authorities had right to COM
pei the street railroad companies TO re-
move snow and ice from the streets, the
city solicitor states that municipal officers,
the mayor and the aldermen do have that
right.
A COUPLE OF NEW OFFICERS.
Bradford L. Stevens and Edwin X.
Brown, who were Lamed by the mayor at
the last meeting, were confirmed as po-
1oemen.
Reuben ID. johnson was nominated by
the mayor as an officer, and according to
the rules action was postponed for
month.
OFFICER SMITH GRANTED LEAVE
Permission was granted to Officer Ed
win Il. Smith to leave the city until May
LIST. Officer smith is In poor hsalth and
his physician desired this request.
CHARTER PUT OFF FOR ONE
WEEK,
The aldermen laid on the table for one
week the order from the lower board that
the representatives from Portland to the
state legislature use all honorable means
to pass the proposed charter. Accompany
ing the order the mayor read communi-
cation from the Portland Woman's Coun
ell, having $500 names, that-section OF
the proposed charter relating to the board
Of oyerseers of the poor be SO amended
- a1a
ters OF the board.
ENGINEER WIGGIN APPEALS.
A communication was read from Al
fred wiggin, who was recently discharged
by the committee on tire department as
engineman from engine three. He re.
cites that he was elected to his position
In joint convention by the city govern
mens on the second Monday in March,
and that November 30 he received notiti-
cation from Secretary Phinney OF the
fire department committee discharging
him for neglect of duty. Mr.. wiggin de-
mics that he is guilty OF neglect OF duty
and has been advised that the action oil
the committee is unauthorized and void.
He has been given no hearing nor has he
been asked to be heard. and IL entirely
Ignorant of the grounds on which the
committee have proceeded. He respectful
Iy demands, as a matter Of right that he
may by be informed of the charges II any
there be, against him and be given an
opportunity 20 be heard In his own de-
fence. If no charges are against him he
ASKS that the action of the committee be
declared null and void by the city council
and that he may be ordered TO resume
his duties as enginaman, which he Is
ready ami willing to perform.
AMENDMENT FOR POOR DEPART
MENT.
An amendment to the proposed new
charter was suggested In that section re-
Iating to the board of overseers OF the
poor. This amendment STIMULATES that
the board shall consist Of three men to be
appointed by the mayor. AT the first ap-
pointment one member shall be appointed
for one year; one member for two years
and one member, for three years. There.
after thers- shall be appointed In the
month of January member of the board
to hold office for three years The mayor
shall also appoint a secretary to the board
in the month of January TO serve for five
years, subject TO removal by the mayor at
any time. The mayor shall also appoint
to serve at his pleasure two women who
shall act In an advisory manner and to
assist the women in all matters relating
GO their own sex. Tns oversesrs and tn Q
secretary shall be paid just eompsnsa-
tion which shall be liked by the city
council. The oTerssers and the secretary
may be- removed at any time BY the
mayor. In case OF vacancy In tia board
or In the Office Of the secretary the mayor
| may appoint one to fill the Vacancy for
| this unexpired term.
LICENCES.
The upper board granted the following
Licences; Mrs. Annie Barrett, victualer
at 80 York street; Michael Joyce, vietuai
er, at % Center; James McGovern, vic
tualer, at ASS Fore; Mary Ellen Furlona,
| to keep employment office of l7S Spring
Louis *. Eriick, to keep q shooting gal
Iery, at 401 Congress; William Il. Brad
ford, auctioneer; Emma Lassard, victual'
er at S6 Middle.