Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-04

ish in Bethel; bill an act to change the name
of the Skowhegan and Bloomfield Village
Corporations; an act to incorporate the Corin-
ma Fire Insurance Company; an act to estab-
lish ferry across the Passamaquoddy river
between the towns of Lubec and Eastport; an
act to amend chapter 81 of the Revised Stat
utes. concerning the commencement Of civil
actions.
Bill an act to extend the charter of the
Thomaston Marine Insurance Company, on
its passage to be enacted was tabled on mo-
ton of Mr.. BAKER.
Finally passed-Resolvc authorizing the
Land Agent to exchange lots No. 81 and 50
in township 6, Range 5, Aroostook County
resolve in favor of the State Reform School
On motion of Mr.. FARwELL the rules were
suspended and the vote reconsidercd, by
which bill an act to incorporate the Kennebcc
Savings Bank was recommitted to the COM
mittee and the same was passed to be en-
crossed.
Report of the Committee on Division of
Towns, on petition of J. s. Kicker ct ais, for
division OF the town of Wcstbrook, reporting
leave to withdraw, specially assigned for to-
day, was taken from the table, the question
being on the acceptance of the report.
Mr.. WHITE said:
Mr. SPEAKER-Being one of the minor
itv of the committee upon the division of
towns who signed the minority report,
desire very briefly to state my reasons
upon this question.
The principal facts proved before the
committee are accurately stated in the
minority report, and it seems to me that
their simple statement presents unanswer-
able arguments in favor of a division of
this town. 1t is difficult for me to con-
ceive of stronger case for the division OF
town than is presented by these peti-
TONERS Six hundred and fifty-four OF the
citizens of Westbrook, covering terrific
ry of fifteen square miles, with valua-
ton of Sl,700.0O0, with a population of
about four thousand, with a voting list of
between seven and eight hundred, with
common interests. aims. and pursuits, ask to
be incorporated into town. They be-
lieve that their material, social and educa-
tional progress will be advanced by the
proposed municipal arrangement, and
am fully satisfied of the correctness of
their views. Under such circumstances,
gentlemen. it seems to me that justice
to the petitioners and a proper regard to
the public interests demand that the prayer
of the petitioners should be granted.
Nor am | able to discover any satistactO-
~ reason why this division should not be
made The old town ofWestbrook would
still remain with a territory of eighteen
square miles, a population of about four
thousand, voting list OF more than seven
hundred, valuation of more than a mil
lion dollars, with fine water power to be
developed, with common. social, educa-
tional and business interests. We have
then on each side of the division line all
the elements of two prosperous and har-
monious towns.
If gentlemen of the House will exam
inc the bill which accompanies the minor
ity report, they will perceive that the rights
and interests of both sections are most
carefully guarded. 1t provides that the
property of the town shall be equitably
divided in proportion to the valuation of
each section. 1t further provides that dis
Greet and disinterested COMMISSIONERS
shall equitably determine how the
public burdens shall be divided, and
all questions as to roads, bridges, and
paupers, are to be passed upon by the Com
missioners, and justice will be done to each
section in all these particulars. What posi-
bic objection then can exist as to this division?
Rather will not great advantages result to
each section?
Some of the reasons for the division are
stated in the minority report, an extract from
which desire to read.
(Mr. WHITE here read from the report.)
Now, Mr.. SPEAKER, the reasons are to my
mind conclusive on this question. 1t was sug-
gested in the Committee that the movement,
while it seemed to be conceded by the remon-
strants that division is only question of time,
is premature.
Sir, can see no force in this suggestion.
The reasons for division now exist in full
Time xUin only mako than
gent. 1t is apparent that the ''irrepressible
conflict" exists in Westbrook. The war of
sections has begun. 1t will never cease until
division becomes fixed fact.
This question has already caused great ex-
pense not only to the State but to the parties
interested on both sides. If we now turn
deaf ear to the prayer of these petitioners they
will come again and again until their just and
reasonable request is granted. These petit
TONERS re strong and earnest men, fully i'm
pressed with the justice of their cause. They
will never cease their efforts until they obtain
what they so rightfully claim. If this legis
lature refuses it, the next will grant it. So
far as the time of division being premature is
concerned, claim, Sir, that anything that is
right is never premature. Let us dispose of
this vexed question now and have it settled
forever.
Mr. SMITH of Parsonsfield, said:
Mr.. SPEAKER There is an application to
this Legislature for a division of the town of
Westbrook. Your committee have given the
parties a full hearing They were assisted
by able counsel. The witnesses were gentle
men of intelligence, and more than ordinary
shrewdness. The peculiar feature of the
case is the substantial agreement of the wit
nesses, as to the material facts They did
not all draw the same inference from these
facts neither did the members of the commit
tee,-thence the disagreement, and as a con-
sequence, majority and minority report.
In advocating the majority report, shall
briefly explain the map, and give some rea-
sons for my conclusions.
In all applications for division, the relative
rights of the town and its individual members,
stand in the foreground. The land of the
most humble citizen cannot be taken from
him unless the public exigencics require
it. Towns also have certain rights in equity,
among them, the right to retain its unity,
unless private exigencies require division.
And the vested rights of town should not be
disturbed, except the petitioners show griev-
ances existing which cannot be otherwise re-
lieved.
A majority of the committee are of opinion