The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-29

UlOn. 1GsulQ not DeSlu with Tile City VI IOfb'
land. 1t began with the villages bordering on
the other side. They thought it would be for
their benefit to be annexed. The four villages
have quite unanimously decided that if we will
receive them they will become part of Port
land You have an indication of that wish to-
night in the torchlight procession and trans
parency. The only thing that has embarrassed
them is whether Portland is willing to receive
them. The question is not what will be the
advantage the other side of the harbor, but
what advantage will it be to us. Portland
needs more breadth; more geographical terrific
ry. Look at us to-day, three miles long and
three-quarters of a mile wide, crowded into the
water.
He then referred to the requirements of trade.
The West are pressing us for larger reception
and shipping facilities. He then predicted the
completion of the Ogdensburg Railroad within
two years and noticed the business of the Grand
Trunk, and argued that with our various ave-
nues of transportation from the West, we abso-
lutely require now more room Within the last
two or three wears the wholesale business has
more than quadrupled and in five years will be
immensely larger; our population and our val
uation are enlarging, as the assessors will tell
you. On the other side of the harbof are foul
prosperous villages which say to us, make us a
part of Portland and we will give it to you
Business men from the west who visit Us tell
us we need more room. We have harbor Ca
pable of floating the largest vessels in the
world, even Noah's Ark could have floated in
it, (applause.) Portland must protect its har-
Dor. The cit, and the Cape own together our
harbor. The city cares for one side well, but
no care is given to the Cape side. The harbor
there should be equally protected. Again, the
merchants of Portland who do business here
should live in the city and they want to live at
the Cape.
The manufacturing interests of the Cape
are owned by our capitalists and should prop
erly be taxed here, He referred to the ones
ton of taxes nd asserted that there would be
no increase in taxation. Next year the time
of exemption granted these factories by the
Cape will expire, and they will then pay the
tax here. OF course the fire department sewers
and other advantages wonld acrue to those
villages but we should not feel the extra
cost.
He also referred to new manufacturing inter
ests that would be established there if it was
part of the city. He CALAMITY complimented,
in conclusion, the ladies who were present
from the Cape for the interest they manifested
in coming so far to attend this meeting, and
urged upon all TO look fairly at the matter
He referred pleasantly to the historic charac-
ters Of the ancient town of Cape Elizabeth and
Urged that by annexation there would be nc
loss to that well treasured interest.
HON. C. P. KIAIBALL.
The Mayor then introduced Hon. G. P Kim
ball who said six weeks ago this question had
scarcely been beard of. Almost the first notice
! heard of it was through the paper that Mr.
Kingsbury had been addressing the people Of
the Cape upon this subject. Since then a
change has come over popular opinions. There
is a spontaneity about this movement that
annexation take place? Our interests and
welfare are identical. From the indications
tonight we must either annex Cape Elizabeth
to Portland, or let Portland be annexed to Cape
Elizabeth. Why should we refuse to take the
blushing maiden? He referred to the city sbe
fora tl,a (.rap nd
cial street were built and contrasted it with its
present prosperous condition. We cannot do
without Cape Elizabeth when the great ave.
nues from the west are fully opened to the
transportation of produce unless we let the
whole business of receiving and shipping be
carried out of the city. He referred to the
present obstruction of Commercial street with
cars; to the necessity of cutting into the city
itself by the Boston and Maine road for room.
See the trains that daily arrive and leave the
city and contrast it with 20 years ago. The
great panic has not affected Portland. No
merchant or bank has failed, and there has
been no discharge of workmen from the facto
ries. We were never in so prosperous condi-
ton. He referred to the feeling when City
Hall was built. People then thought it too
large now there is rush and jam to see who will
get the first ticket to a course of lectures, He
urged upon the people of the Cape to be
unit in this matter; upon the people Of thi:
city to look fairly at this matter and take hole
Of it at once and make the browning act O.
Mayor Wescott's mayoralty the annexation Of
Cope Elizabeth to Portland.
Ex-Gov. wAsHBURN
on being introduced, was received with ap
pause, He said there is necessity in cities
when their limits become crowded to go out tc
the adjoining territory and enlarge their area
The interests of a city are naturally identical
with the suburban villages. The speaker re
ferred to Philadelphia. Fifty years ago it had
IN x1,bi viii fha iol aor
ing villages there were 100000. There have
since been taken into the city; so of Boston and
New York If this is a necessity for cities il
is also the law of towns, when they become
large they must divide. The interests of the
town requires 1t, because1 there are conflicting
interests within it. He referred to the towns
of Orono, Thomaston, Westbrook, Waterville
as illustrations. The Legislature has never
failed to grant such divisions, and it never will.
If town, or part of a town asks to be divd-
ed and set off to city, there can be no objec-
ton. There are three necessities. The city;
the part of Capt Elizabeth, that wants to come
to us; and the portion of the town that will re-
main.
He referred to the prosperity and require
ments of Portland; to her need OF enlarged
area to the demands made by New Hampshire
lumber merchants for lumber wharves. Our
wharves are now all occupied where then are
these new interests pressing upon us to go; we
are to have 30 feet of water to the commission
line on both sides of our harbor. We shall re
quire if. Let this annexation come now. Ii
will be for the accommodation OF Cape Eliza
beth, which will be built up; Valuation Will in
crease and the surplus of the city will go there
Why then not accomplish this annexation now
when we can 30 consistently, and not wait
five years when it will cost more. lie referred
to our wonderful prosperity. There is an I'M
parallel demand for dwelling houses in the
city. Whe have about 1900 SCARE acres; w
need more to contain 10000 population. 1t is
eoually an advantsge for the agricultural por
sans of the ancient and honorable town OF
60 elizabeth They have one interest now,
and the sh,,'re villages another When we come
to look at all si OIL tis qne,.i;on We shatl =,
wiilino and eager thar sshia marriage shall TAXI
place. A.
The band then played lively air, afte
which
HON. GEORGE W. w0oDMAN
wasintroduced Mr. Woodman said: l fell
quite sure that there would be some opposition
developed at this meeting, but find none. He
referred to the prosperity of the city by thu
building of railroads, and enlarged upon oul
present prosperity, which he argued was tne re
suit of enterprise.
The Mayor then read the following resolu
tons.
Whereas we the citizens of Portland, believe tina
it would be foc the mutual interest of the city ant
the villages of Cape Elizabeth, bordering on the ar
bor that they should be one municipal corporation
therefore
RESOLVED, That we hail with great pleasure ant
satisfaction the movement in that direction and viii
give cordial welcome to neighbors if that purpos
shall be accomplished.
ResoIUed That our city authorities and represent
atyes to the legislature hereby requested to
their influence in this behalf.
HON. f. o, j. SMITH
asked to be heard before the resolutions passed
1t would appear from the statements OF tn
gentlemen upon the platform that it is Portian
that wants to be annexed. A people that are IL
| debt millions want to annex to themselve
more money The last speaker said there wa
| no opposition developed, and the ex-mayor tell
| us that all the meetings at the Cape were unan
| imously in favor of annexation Well, they were
| but they did not represent all the people OF the
| Iowa | believe that Portland has no right t
annex my property without my consent Ht
referred to the design of Portland to take thu
S54, 600 of debt of Cape Elizabeth, and willing
| ly too, because they would gain by it. say
"let Justice be done though the heavens fall.
/ Would you rob Cape Elizabeth of her treasures
iewels?' The gentlemen say Portland is to ex
ynand do not believe in it. God Almight,
| ggaes not believe in it. If he did he would ii
his mercy do 1t. tApplause.)
Let Cape Elizabeth be heard What are tn
odnsntaoes of being annexed to Portland
These villages are too moral to need the sup
ut Of tbe 1olice; the drunkards are all in tn
c c (Applause.) They talk about sidewalks
9C,ay;t thev build their own sidewalks and pa
| a