Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-02-26

of chat,. 8 Of the Revised Statutes, relating to
the choice ct highway surveyors; an act TO
enable the city of Bangor to extend further
aid to the Bangor and Piscataquis Raiiroad
Company; an act to incorporate the Madison
Manufacturing Company; bill an act relating
to the Supreme Judicial Court and to pay
certain expenses of the Justices thereof; bill
an act to amend chap. 5 of sec. 4S OF the Re-
yised Statutes, relating to Railroads; bill an
act amendat0ry of an act establishing the
times of holding the several terms OF the Su-
preme Judicial Court in the county of Ham
cock approved Feb. %, 1867; an act to au-
thorize the building Of dyke or dam across
Branch Stream in Addison.
Finally passed-Resolve in favor of Paul
Taber; resolve granting land to Francis AL
bert, Jr.
The question on the division of the town of
Westbrook came up, the Senator from Cum
bcrland having the floor.
Mr.. LANE said he proposed to detain the
Senate but few moments. He proceeded to
continue in explanation of the items in the
majority report. For the next two genera
tions Portland must not have any portion of
Westbrook. The only grievance manifest to
the committee is the Inconvenience arising
from so many voters gathering at one place
in town meeting For this reason if for no
other the town ought to be divided. The
statement that money was used TO obtain pc
titioners carries no weight.
Let each case stand on its own merits. The
minority report is very respectable one.
They state first the natural resources of the
town. There is great diversity of interest
among the inhabitants of the different sections
of the town. As regards valuation and popu-
lation the two reports agree.
Now as to the expenses OF division. lhere
is not such a difference in the reports as
should give much weight in the decision.
The line of division is Il natural one, the Pre-
sumpscott river. The town as it now stands,
has no focal CENTER as regards social or man
ufacturing privileges. There are no COM
mon sympathies or aims among the inhabi-
tants of the town.
1t was admitted by one of the leading re-
monstrants that the question of division was
only a question of time, the present move
ment is only premature. Isn't this strong
argument for the petitioners! 1t certainly is.
Why should an exception be made in the case
of Westbrook? Iti given as an argument that
Westbrook should not be divided because it
is great and rich town. These are the very
strongest reasons why it should be divided
We ask YOU to do thin we believe to be
just and expcdicnt, and for the interest of all.
If necessary, amend the 7th section to make
it more acceptable.
Mr. HoLLANp said he had scarcely known
case during the last twenty years where
division of q town had been for the interests
of those concerned. Referred to llallowell.
Yarmouth and Lisbon as examples. If West
brook is too large for "A town let them petition
for charter and become city.
Mr.. NEALLEY would be willing to leave the
matter of government to towns. If he was an
inhabtant of the town he would certainly be
opposed to division. With so large number
of voters it is strange that not more names
were obtained upon the petition. Thinks we
ought not to grant the petition.
Mr.. LINDSEY thinks the opposition to divi-
sion is predicted upon the idea that If division
is allowed two small, weak towns will be
formed. The importance and value OF town
is more to be estimated by the character OF
those who live in it. A town is not body
having a soul, it is simply corporation to
give those living in it convenences for trans
acting their business. For this purpose this
town ought to be divided 1t is too large and
unwieldy. There is not another town in the
State containing Is square miles with so much
wealth and so many interests MS Westbrook.
If divided they will both be large, influential
and prosperous towns, each one having an in
terest common to themselves. Are we to as
sumo that G54 voters do not know what they
want and need when they ask for incorpora-
ton into a town!
Mr.. WEBB said:
In closing this protractcd debate, ask the
privilege of briefly noticing few points made
by my colleague and by the Senator from
Cumberland, (Mr. Lane).
NV colleague seems to have made up his
mind to divide Westbrook beforehand, and
therefore continues to argue upon certain
- rtnttN
allegations set forth by the petitioners, when
have shown from undisputed testimony,
taken under oath, that these points and allega-
tons were not sustained before the committee,
hut were completely overthrown. Now all l
have to say is, that there are none so deaf as
those who riW not hear, and none so blind as
those who riH not see.
The Senator from Cumberland, in his re-
marks of yesterday stated that ''tte Remon-
STRANGE was not seen before the committee"
And from that statement endeavors to con-
struc the circumstance against the remon-
strants. am glad the Senator has alluded to
this. l wanted to refer to this circumstance
very much in my remarks of yesterday, but
| concluded not to, for did not wish to inn
peach the honesty of any one, but as the Hon.
gentleman has brought the matter to notice,
| propose to state the facts and leave each one
petitioners have made by an allusion to the
subject. The principal remonstrance of about
700 names, was introduced in the House, came
up to the Senate and referred to the Commit
tee on Division of Towns in concurrence.
The Secretary of the Senate deposited the
same in its proper place, and before he had
time to place it in the hands of the Commit
tee, some one had taken it away.
And now, Mr.. President who do you sup
pose took this remonsirancc? Did Il friend
or foe? Let us see. When the time for the
hearing came the remonstrants very naturally
wanted their ammunition with which to fight
the battle If any one of them, or one of their
friends had had it, ii would have been return
ed in time for use, but it failed to make its
appearance. What is the conclusion to be
drawn!
Under these circumstances the hearing
could not proceed; at this iuncture of affairs,
the counsel for petitioners seeing the dilcm-
ma in which his over anxious hackers had
placed themselves, said that he would admit
that every voter in Westbrook, west of the
proposed line of division, would sign Il remon-
strance if presented To them, and with this
confession we proceeded with the hearing.
On motion OF Mr.. BuFFUM, the question on
the substitution of the minority report for the