The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-18
Second Annexation Meeting.

An adjourned meeting Of the city govern
ment committee on the matter of annexation
was held in the Common Council room last
evening. A large number of prominent cltl-
zens were present
The Mayor, who presided over the meeting,
stated for what purpose it was called, and read
the record of the last meeting as published in
the PRESS. He then called upon Hon. Benz.
Kingsbury, who made the following remarks:
Mr.. MAJOR and Genilemen:-I have had an
active interest in this matter as citizen of
Portland. My connection with the subject of
annexation occurred in this wise: Some time
since had occasion to deliver lecture in one
of the villages at the Cape, and during the lee
tur incidentally referred, while complimenting
the village, to the question of annexation. The
question impressed Itself upon the people and
when they held meetings on the subject / was
invited to address them. l believe it would be
great advantage to those people to become a
part OF Portland This is what they think, but
what Portland might think is another matter.
The people of those villages are almost unanI-
mousy III favor OF it. 1t is now due to them
that Portland should say what she thinks in
the matter. 1t is important that they should
now know the position Portland occupies, or
proposes to occupy in the matter. In regard to
the portions proposed to be annexed, the plan
as to where to draw the line is not yet perfect
GU. Lie ludlu tulDg IOTbldDu is Interested III
is to secure the harbor line. The Judge then
rapidly reviewed the varied interests that would
come to us with the connection. In regard to
the debt of S54, 600 we should of course take
our share of it. But this is a small matter;the
great question is, will we let them come in.
1t must be done at some time, when better
than now? We have a narrow 'harpOr, one
crowded at best; We have no spare wharf
property. If we are to become the European
shipping point for the West we must have
have 1nrrr vl,nrt nd nIytfae fnn
Manufactures are springng up all along that
shore owned and run by Portland capitalists,
and they 90 there reluctantly because there is no
room for them here These will come back to
us by annexation, and become what they
should be, a part of ourselves. Why then
shouldn't we open doors and let them in?
The speaker referred to the Ogdensburg rail-
road with its steadily increasing demands upon
us for room, and to what it would demand
when 1t should become great trunk line to
the west We must provide for the inevitable
future. Annex, and yoa will find new stimu-
LUIS to business; people with capital will locate
there who now refuse to go because the town
is not under the charter limits of Portland. 1t
will not increase our tax. 1t is true they will
require fire department, police, sewerage,
etc, but the taxes in the city are at present
higher than in the town, and the town will
help pay for the Improvements. 1t must not
be forgotten that next year or the year after
the valuable mill property over there will be
obliged to pay taxes as their period of exemp-
ton will have expired
Mr.. Kimball upon being called upon said
My views are so well known that should pre-.
fer to listen to those of Others l see no reason
why Portland should not favor annexation.
Take the map and you will find few cities of
the commercial Importance of Portland but
what have larger limits than we have The
great question is one of practical business i'm
portance to us. 1t involves the future growth
and prosperity of the city. Mr. Kimball re-
ferred to the Improvements consequent upon
the building of the Grand Trunk and Ogdens-
burg railroads, The whole city has realized the
advantages they have opened to us, CONNER
cal street is being rapidly encroached upon by
| railroads. We have croakers among US yet,
but our progress is constantly onward. l be-
| lieve the city is being established on a firm
basis and everything is prosperous. Where are
| you to put your freight? Where are your de-
cation than around the Ogdensburs depot?
Here. In my Judgment, is where the vessels
will go; where the elevators will be built
When these villages come wooing why should
we turn around and say the church is
full? Is Portland so large that she needs no
more people? We have talked great deal of
our resources and our greatness, but now we
have an opportunity to show if we mean bust
| ness by our talk. The talk about an increase
| of taxes from annexation is absurd. Our taxes
| will be less instead of more. We shall increase
| in everything. Let us give tn m the right
| hand of fellowship. / hear no voice in this
| city raised against it,
Hon. j. 7. McCobb-Mr. Mayor, it would
make an agreeable diversion if you would call
J, upon some gentlemen who is opposed to the
| project. We must grow by Immigration
Here are 2300 people with over 81 10000 ready
to come to us. and the question is shall we re-
ceive them? We have an ancient right to all the
territory back of US as far as Spurwnk river.
1t belongs to us. Usually movement of this
kind starts in the cities; here it is the other
| way
G. e. Jose, esq.,. expressed himself heartily
in favor of the project and called upon A. X.
Shurtleff, esq, who expressed himself in favor
| Of annexation.
Hon. Geo. w. Woodmaa, upon being called
upon, heartily endorsed the views of the other
| speakers and hoped the project would succeed,
| Judge Kingsbury offered the following resolu-
| ton which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The inhabitants of the harbor vii
| lagos of Cape Elizabeth have expressed the
| desire to be annexed to the city of Portland,
| therefore,
| Rssolved, In the judgment of this meeting of
| citizens, such annexation would be of great ad-
vontage to the city, and would be cordially &C,
cepted by its citizens
On motion of a member Of the committee
the Mayor was instructed to call public meet
ing in City Hall at some future day. The
meeting then adjourned.