Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-02

them. In this case public sentiment was
against slot. mac hines.
Rev. A. H. Coar, of the Unitarian
church, was also present at the meeting.
He was invited by the mayor to address
the board on the subject, but said he had
nothing to add to Whist MIR. Adams had
already said. "The case seems so plain"
he said, land the duty OF the authorities
was so plain, that he thought there was
nothing more to say
After several other matters had been
brought to the attention OF the board, the
petition was taken up for action. Alder
man Stuart said he was opposed to the
slot-macbines and to all forms OF gamb-
ling, bat he was also opposed to petitions
OF this kind. He thought that, In one
twentieth part OF the time that had been
taken to circulate this petition, any one
of the signers could have caused the
adjustment of the slot-machines. He
thought the duties of the board were
burdensome enough, and that this reform
should 60 through the proper legal
channels. As member OF the board, he
did not think the city should prosecute
the proprietors Of slot machines, but as
an individual he volunteered his services
as attorney gratis to any one OF the petit
tioners who wished to prosecute the cases.
He thought the petition was also an
insult to the present administration. He
challenged any man to point to q city In
which law and order were better preserved
than in Ellsworth and suggested COM
parison OF the police record OF Portland
that OF Ellsworth under the present
administration.
Alderman Brady did not understand
why the petition should be presented to
the city government. Any man who
makes complaint against the slot-ma-
chimes could have them abolished. He
thought that would be the course for the
petitioners to pursue.
This closed discussion for the time be-
ing, and the petition was laid on the
table for consideration at a future meet
ing, but later in the evening it was again
taken up for action.
Then 1t was that the reform wave
struck the board. The revised statutes
were searched, and section 10 of chapter
quoted by the petitioners. This section
relates to all lotteries and games of
chance at church fairs or other gather
ings.
The board then voted to instruct the
city marshal to enforce to the letter the
law against gambling as provided in these
sections.
OTHER PETITIONS.
Harry L. Crabtree presented petition
OF residents of Elm street asking for new
sidewalk and repair of street. He said
the present condition OF the street was
dangerous for teams, and practically Inn
passable for pedestrians. The petition
was referred to the committee on streets.
John II. Leland, as agent for the Odd
Fellows building, called attention to
damage done by surface water from
Bridge hill to the driveway between the
Odd Fellows building and the Hancock
house stable, and asked that the city take
care Of 1t. Alderman Brady, speaking for
the board, said the city had some time
ago made a proposition to the Odd Fell
lows to build a drain to their property,
but the society had refused permission.
There was nothing left for the city to do
but allow the water to take its course,
and 1t was the duty OF the Odd Fellows
to look after 1t II 1t damaged their prop
erty. No action was taken by the board.
A petition from residents of Bayside
asking the city to make repairs to side
walk built there by the sidewalk society
but for the past few years neglected, was
referred % the committee ON streets.
George A. Parcher asked permission Of
the city government to lay a granite
cros,wslk on High street in front OF his
residence. The request WAS referred to
the committee on streets.
NEW HOSE CARRIAGES WANTED.
Chief Engineer Brown appeared before
the board to recommend the purchase of
new hose wagons. He said the present
carriages were unfit for the service, were
q constant source of expense for repa irs,
and there was always the danger that
they would give out at critical time.
He submitted specifications and photo
graphs OF the kind OF wagon he would
recommend. IL is a four wheel wagon,
weighing $40 pounds, fitted with rope,
and shafts IL desired, and also with run
ners. II will carry 700 feet of hose. He
thought the city shoald have two OF these
carriages.
The board seems to recognize the need
OF the new wagons. The committee on
fire department will report on the matter.