Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-18

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THE BouNDARY QUKsgfoS.-The Taunton
Gazette is strongly opposed to the proposed
new boundary line between Rhode Island and
1t urges several points against
should have careful attention in the proper
quarter, Here are some of them -
THE exchange ofterritorial is unequal the
proposed boundary is unnatural, arbitrary, and
announcement, and disrcgards undoubtedly the
interests and feelings of the inhabitants of the
coded districts, and does violence to the wish
es and rights of those residing therein, who
desire to retain their present relations with Ell
ther state. 1t partitions towns and counties,
and smaller organizations, and abruptly dis
solves associations naturally formed and pre-
manently established, without promising any
adequate equivalent for the mischief contem-
plated. 1t deprives Massachusetts of valued
privileges in the fisheries of Providence River,
and in that respect comedies to Rhode Island
much more than she ever presumed TO claim
1t affects the balance political power in Bris-
tol County, by diminishing her electoral num-
bers in one section, and increasing them in
another. 1t aims to consolidate our Western
| Senatorial District, and to give the cities OF
Bristol County an increased preponderance
over the towns.
1t remains now for the Governor and Coun-
Gil of Massachusetts, and the Legislature of
Rhode Island to determine whether the propos-
ed change in the boundary line shall be estab-
lished. Rhode Island will probably accept it,
if the advantage is so much in her favor. But
inasmuch as the Massachusetts people on the
/ for in, haiDO fron Sfnrrp1
to another juris diction, and as the propriety
and justice of the arrangement are strong
| ly called in question, we trust that the Govern
or and Council will not give the measure their
final sanction, until, by careful investigation
they become satisfied that it is wise and proper
If portion of our citizens must be transferred
to another state, without their consent, and in
violation of their wishes, let it be done only
for weighty reasons. Those directly interest
ed will, in any case, feel the measure as an ar
bitrary one and, if they cannot have "popu-
lar sovereignty" let them be saved from any
injustice that might be done by an inconsider-
ate decision.
1t is very likely that these representations
of the Taunton Gazette will admit of some
modification. A portion of the people on the
territory to be coded are very much in fear of
the change. This is true of many in Seekonk
and Swanzey, who are more connected with
Providence and Warren than with any BUSH
ness towns in this state. A report in the Bes
ton journal gives the following account Of
what took place at a recent hearing before the
Council.
"Mr. Wrightington of Fall River appeared
in behalf Of siXty-one inhabitants residing on
the territory proposed to be set off to Rhode
Island, who do not coincide with the views of
the Representative of that district They be-
lieve that it will be for their interest to be an
nexed to Rhode Island, as their business in
| terests are at Warren The proposed line sets
| off about one-third Of the town Of Swanzey in
territory and valuation. The town landing
was but little used by the citizens on the Mas
sachusetts side.
The portion to be set off is wholly agricul-
tural it divides no school district; it leaves
all the business portion in Massachusetts. "A
town meeting was held in Swanzey on We'd
nesday last. The town contains three hun
dred voters; but on the question whether the
town should or should not demonstrate against
the setting off, there were sixty four in favor
-HNG against IL. VII lilt quSollOi VI
sending special agent, the vote was twenty
three in favor, and seventy -four against 1t;
thus showing how little interest the people
took in the matter.
Tristan Burgess, Esq, appeared in behalf
of himself and 3l3 inhabitants of the town of
Seekonk, in favor of annexation to Rhode Isl
and. There are about $50 voters in tue town
and all but sixty reside in the territory pro-
| posed to be set off. He also presented petit
ton from all the land holders in Seekonk, who
reside in Rhode Island They own one-fifth
Of the whole territory of the town. The in
habitantS of Seekonk asked to be set off be-
cause lawess people come over from Rhode
Island, robbed their oyster beds, and they had
no redress The depredators had only to re-
treat to low water mark, and the police of See
konk were powerless. The petitioners, some
of them paid taxes in both states For these
and other reasons they asked to be set of"
The towns affected by the new line are
Westport, Tiverton, Fall River, Swanzey, and
! Seekonk and it is doubtless true that many
of the inhabitants oppose the change, while
Others favor it At Fall River, where the
Rhode Island section of the city is to be brought
into Massachusetts, there is much very Jealous
effort in behalf of the change. Mayor Blais-
ueh Vi ran hIVer appeared before Tile COUNCIL
and made the following representation -
"He said that city, with taxable property
of 100000, and 1900 Inhabitants had an
important interest in the matter. The line be-
tween the states was only imaginary. 1t was
impossible in small matters to carry out police
regulations, inasmuch as petty yioIators of the
law in Fall River, Massachusetts, had only to
step over the imaginary line into Fall River,
Rhode Island. If the change is made, about
5000 inhabitants and 81 100000 will be set off
from Rhode Island to Massachusetts. He ap-
peared officially, and could say there was but
one feeling, and that was in favor of the
change. There were $50 voters in Rhode Isl
and on the territory which would accrue to
Massachusetts. All but 81 of these had signed
the petition for the line. Those who opposed it
were mainly in the rum interest, and therefore
preferred to remain in Rhode Island where the
laws in regard to the sale of ardent spirits
were less stringent than in Massachusetts.
They were led by man who had violated the
laws of Massachusetts, and did not dare to
come within its Jurisdiction"
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