Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-07
foreordained that the two villages shonld BE-

divided. The physical geography of the
place implies thss. Noticed the friction that
existed and seemed to be unavoidable The
town meeting in March was quiet and he was
not aware of any particular questions exist
ing on which there were any differences be-
tween the two parts of the town. But there
is perpetual collision on almost all subjects.
Thought the bridge trouble grew out Of the
location Of the two villages.
Noah Boothby, Esq, one of the selecttnen
of Waterville, said his reason for division was
that both parts of the town would be benefit
ted by the division. Banking business of
| West Waterville Is done at the east village.
They have no banks of discount there
Thought no material interests ofthe western
district had been voted down by the eastern.
Most always harmonized except on the
bridge question.
Gen. Franklin Smith stated his reasons for
division which were substantially the same as
those given by the other witnesses.
&. A. Phillips said that West Waterville
had refused to join the east village in build
ing of soldiers monument. This was the
first intimation he had that trouble existed
between the two places. Did not see how
| Waterville could have decent town hall
without division.
Messrs. McFadden and Low were called,
but no new testimony was elected. The
bridge matter was thoroughly ventilated.
Hon. S. d. Lindsey opened the discussion
for the ramonstrants. From the testimony
elected he had seen no reason for the division
of the town. We have had the details of
quarrel, about bridge; the east village have
always had their own wishes subserved; but
still they come and say that the ancient town
shall be divided. For what reason shall all
these remonstrants be pushed out of town?
No one comes here and says that the east viii
iage has not its rights, or any of its interests
Jeopardized. What is the trouble? Just
this: few years ago the toll bridge was
| swept away, and how should it be built?
These shrewd men at the east wished to bring
| business at their village and so got an act
from the legislature to divide the expense Of
building between Watervile and Winslow.
The western part of the town had not noticed
particularly the action of the legislature.
They did not know when the question came
! before the committee. This excited in their
minds distrust Of the whole thing. Under
the instruction Of counsel the town Of Water
vile refused to build the bridge. This ere
ated feeling between the two sections. But
this has been removed by the building Of the
bridge, and the contractors in the east village
have made goodAhinG cut Of the building of
the bridge.
There appears TO be 10 local division, and
there seems to be nothing to combat, and
the remonstrants might safely rest their case
here. Can the municipal affairs of this town
be administered better with two sets of Off
GERS and two corporations? The citizens of
West Wateryille have performed all their OBJ
legations and do not think it right to be thus
pushed out against their remonstrance. Read
the notice posted in Waterville urging the
people to appear a. the meeting at 9 O'Clock
promptly.
Adjourned to evening.
EVENING SESSION
On reassembling in the evening, Mir. Lind
sey offered the doings Of the town meeting
held on the 4th. in which the town voted 20
reconsider the vote of the previous meeting
in favor of division; discharging the former
committee appointed TO appear before the leg
islaiure, and appointing new one.
Testimony was then called By the remon
strants.
F. P. Haverland testified to tue proceed
ings OF the first town meeting. People from
the west village were no; generally there, as
they supposed the main question, that Of d.
vision, would be tested by ballot. Said he
was opposed to division because he though, it
better to have one large town than two small
ones. Had done business for great num-
Der of years and did not know Of any feeling
that could justify division. West Watezyille
men Go their banking business at the east
village. Never heard West Waterville man
say that he wanted to divide. Tie bridge
matter was again explained.
John L. Hubbard was called, and gave
| something of the history of the soldiers mon
ument. Never heard before day of any i'll
feeling in regard to that. The names OF all
the men who fell in the war from the town of
Waterville are on the tablet, in the Memorial
hall at West Waterville. The bridge uues-
ton is the only one that can divide the town.
Always been generous to the east, and they
to US. There was but small portion Of the
people of the west village at the town meet
ing when division was voted
| Joseph Percval said he was opposed to d.
vision. Had attended town meetings regu-
larly for SO years, and there had been no
trouble it would be no advantage to either
section Of the town to have a division. Had
always been proud to belong in Watervlle.
United, We are a power. Believed that the
Ratchet is now buried. Even if division is
necessary, the time has not now arrived for
it. Had no doubt that west part would read
lily vote for improvements in east part. Spoke
of the meeting at which division was voted as
being unfairly conducted in not using the
check list.
A. p. Benjamin was called and said that
the proposed division was q most unfair one
taking the best portion of the farming land,
and some OF the water power for the east vii
lage. Thought division would not create
enlargement of municipal obligations.
Mr.. Foster explained the action of the
meeting, and testified tina. nothing had been
done unfairly.
At this point it being nearly ten o'clock,
the counsel on both sides agreed to submit
the question to the committee without fur
Their argument. The committee retired TO
the Senate chamber, and at half past ten
came to a decision, voting that the petition
ers for division have leave to withdraw. The
vote stood ) to /.