Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-04
rectcd by the change for hotter or worse.

fectcd by the change for better or worse.
The five great interests of every comnuni-
", are the religious, social, educational,
pecuniary and political. If neither of these
are bettered by division, most assuredly no
division should take place.
The peculiar location of the villages, the
direction of the thoroughfares--the acknowl-
edged fact of an outside center of trade and
intercourse, are so many proofs that no one
Of the first four named interests would be ben
Gifted by the creation of new town.
AS the petitioners substantially admit that
they have nothing to complain of under these
four heads it is not necessary to say more
Political hardships are the main reasons
assigned. Let us examine them in detail.
The town house is small. Granted. West
brook is able to build a larger one, and the
eastern section has majority of lS7 votes.
1t is difficult to finish all the town business in
one day, yet the records show that it has been
done Ii out of 20 years.
Larger towns than Westbrook have obvia-
ted this difficulty by agreeing to elect the
officers the first day, then do the other town
business at an adjourned meeting What
more? Not a single authenticated complaint
outside Of the allegation that the town is popu
lous, and therefore inconvenient. Why then
so much noise and smoke? such pressing
appeals for division. These reasons came out
in detached items during the investigation.
1t seems that convenience and self-interest
have led many families to settle upon the
southeast border of Westbrook. They are
mostly Portlanders stopped over. They have
wealth. taste, ambition. They want side
walks, high schools, shady groves and brass
buttons at their own expense. SO instead of
asking village corporation or transfer to
Portland of the strip they occupy. they reach
out and clutch at the very heart of their foster
mother and the geodly land upon her borders.
They ask for two fifths of her territory, and
three-ftths of her valuation, leaving the old
town the waste land and the heavy bridges.
Westbrook by vote of 557 to 1922, refuses
to surrender, and appeals to this honorable
body for protection.
In our opinion, leave to bring in bill,
when no public or private exigency exists,
would encourage the uneasy to seek change
from town to town, and if all petitions arc
granted citizenship in Maine will be as uncer-
tain as married life on the prairies. A town
should not be cut up to crafty the ambition
or revenge of some aspiring leader or clique;
nor should their threats of future trouble
have an influence.
There is no proof that any one in West
brook has been, or is now oppressed, but sim
ply that somebody expects to be crowded.
Our answer is, when real difficulties come,
then will be the time to seek redress; till then
be content.
Mr.. VosE spoke in favor of division of
the town, and Messrs. HAMMOND of West
brook, and DEARBORN, spoke against. Re
marks hereafter).
Mr.. HUME moved to substitute the minority
(Which is in favor of division) for the ma ORR
ty report.
Mr.. KIMBALL moved the previous question,
and the House seconded the call and ordered
the main question to he put.
The question then being on substituting the
minority report for the majority, Mr. SMITH Of
Saco, moved that the question be taken by
yeas and nays, and being SO taken the House
refused to substitute by AZ yeas and ~ nays
as follows:
Baker, Bearce of Turner Berry OF Damariscotta
Drawn, Burnham, Burgess, Clark of Holden, Cous-
n Rnenf
Brunswick, Kimball, Lane, Leighton, Libby Lam
son, McDougal McKown, Means, Mildram, Moul
Of islesboro', smith Of Warren, spaniding, stone
Slower Tobey, vose Warren, Weston, White
NAYs-Messrs Adams of Mayfeld, Alexander,
Barker, Bartlett Bearce of Lewiston, Berry of Bux-
ton Blake, Bliss, Bonney, Boyd Bracket, Brad
Chase of VIM, Clark of Readfeld, Cole, Cox,
Crockett Gushing, Daggett Darling; Dearborn,
douglass, duncan, Roster VI 2Aissl NaAnett,
Green Greenlef Guptill Ham, Hammond of West.
brook, Hammond of Paris, Hamilton, Harding,
Hartman Holbrook, Holman, Irish, Jones, Jordan
of Minot, Keegan, Lewis of Pittston, Lord, Main,
Mason, May, Mayo, .McGlvery, McLain, Mears,
Mills, Milliken, Nickerson, Pierce, Ray, Sawyer,
sherman Of Camden skinner, smith of iodgdon,
Smith OF Ltchield, smith of Saco, smith OF Par
sonsheld, Stickney, stugis, Thompson, Twitcheil,
Warehouse. Wentworth Wilder, Young-2.
ABsENT-Messrs. Barton, Bean, Bird, Booihby,
Brown Campbell, Conforth, Cotton, Folsom Foss,
Gates, Kinks Hussey, Lewis of Liberty Martin
Reed. Sargent Thurlough WATSON, Wheeler, Whit
ney.-21.
The majority report was then accepted in
concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. SPAULpING bill an act to
authorize the inhabitants of Brunswick to
erect building for the use of said town, and
to issue bonds to raise money therefor, was
taken from the table and was pending when
the House
Adjourned.