The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-30


The voters of Westbrook held their town
meeting yesterday, on the question Of dividing
the town. The petitioners and remonstrants
were there at 10 o'clock in large numbers, and
1t soon became evident that the house wonld
not contain them all. The Town Clerk called
the meeting to order and it proceeded at once
to the choice of a Moderator. The remon-
strants came prepared with votes for Leander
Valentine, and his supporters pressed vigor-
ously to the polls. In twenty minutes, the re-
monstrants, having deposited their votes or
nearly all of them, moved that the polls be
closed, and they were closed before the other
side had an opportunity to vote. 1t was evil
dent at this point that the remonstrants in
tended to take advantage of the situation and
not give the petitioners an opportunity to get
to the polls. 1t was but twenty minutes after
the meeting was called to order before the polls
were closed The petitioners moved for re-
consideration of the vote to close the polls and
the motion failed by large majority. The
petitioners finding themselves powerless, ap-
pealed in vain to the generosity of the remon-
strants, until Mr.. Valentine finally prevailed
upon the remonstrants to open the polls for
half an hour During this time the petition
ers deposited the major part of the votes
thrown upon their side; but still the time given
was inadequate, and Mr.. Valentine was elect
ed, receiving 557 votes, and David Torrey, ESQ.,
the petitioners candidate, 1922 votes.
The next movement after Mr.. Valentine
took the chair was the introduction of reso-
luton by F. M. Ray, ESQ.,, to the effect that
the town be not divided. Samuel Jordan
Esq, moved an amendment in substance that
1t would be just and expedient for both sec
lions that the town be divided. The Modera-
tor ruled that the question was upon the
amendment. Edward Payson, ESQ.,, made an
able speech in favor of the amendment. He
was followed by L. B. bennett, ESQ, on the
same side, 1.-THE petitioners side) but he was
repeatedly Interrupted hy the shc-.s i-:-----
ofthe remonstrants. The Moderator endeav-
ored to preserve order, but he could not. He
appealed to the remonstrants to keep order
and listen to the debate, but in vain. Mr..
bennett insisted upon his right to speak and
continued for a considerable time to address
the meeting; but the remonstrants continued
their interruptions by Kisses and shouts, until
the Moderator called upon Mr. bennett as a
favor to yield the floor This he did.
Then Rev. w. p. Merrill, formerly of the
Casco st. Church, Portland, obtained the floor
and took the lead of the remonstrants, and ad-
dressed the meeting at considerable length
without interruption.
>. Winslow Jones, Esq, arose on behalf of |
the petitioners to address the meeting. The
Moderator declared him in order, but Mr.. Jones
wal. interrupted as the other speakers on the
side OF the petitioners had been, by Kisses, |
shouts and all sorts of insulting remarks.
Finally the Moderator, after great effort |
for he discharged his duty in this trying scene
in an impartial and very able manner-suc-
ceeded in getting the tumultuous ones quoted |
30 the business Of the meeting could proceed |
The amendment of Mr.. Jordan was put to vote |
and 1t failed. The resolution OF Mr.. Ray was |
then declared in order; and it was moved that |
1t be put to vote. Samuel Jordan, ESQ.,, on |
the part Of the petitioners rose to address the |
meeting, but the Kisses and noise of the remon- |
strants prevented him from getting hearing |
for time; but at last the Moderator succeeded |
in partially restoring order. He claimed for |
the petitioners that considering the spirit of |
the meeting there was no other way of voting
that would give the petitioners a fair chance |
except by using the check list and yea and
nay vote. This he thought fair for both sides,
and he made a motion to that effect The mo-
sion was seconded and sustained by Moses G.
DOW, Esq, Claiming as Mr.. Jordan did. that
the petitioners had no chance for a fair vote in
any other manner. Mr.. Payson also claimed
that it was the only way for a fair vote to be
taken. All Of the gentlemen were Kissed.
Mr. Merrill then spoke on the other side
without Interruption, and the remonstrants
carried the vote.
MI. Payson then advised the petitioners to
'etire from the meeting, stating that it must
DO evident to them that they could not get a
air vote. And the petitioners without excep-
ion retired from the meeting, leaving the re-
nonstrants to do as they pleased. The remon-
'I then passed the resolution offered by
Mr.. Ray, and voted to instruct the Selectmen
% employ counsel and oppose the division.