Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-07
Division of Leave 10 with.
drayN" Reported.

draw" Reported.
hearing was had yesterday afternoon, in
the Representatives Hall, before the commit
tee oaTowns, on the question of the division cf
Wateryille. A large number of the people
of West Waterville appeared solidly against
division, AMI quite a delegation on the same
side from the East village.
Hon. Reuben Foster of Wateryille, and
ARENAS Libbey, Esq, of Augusta, appeared
for the petitioners for division. Hon. s. ID.
Lindsey OF Norridgewock, and Hon. Lewis
Barker Of Bangor, appeared for the remon-
strants.
Hon. Reuben Foster of Waterville, ap-
peared for 562 petitioners, asking the legisla-
ture for division on equitable principles.
He appeared also for the town of Waterville,
| and read the records of the town meeting or
| the 2Sth of January, at which il was voted
| that the town ask the legislature to make a
division OF the town according to certain
lines specified as follows: Beginning at the
centre of the second mile rangeway west of
kenuebec river at the north line of the town
OF Sidney, thence running northerly in the
centre Of said rangeway to the northerly line
of land owned by A. G. Marston, formerly
known as the Stackpole lot; thence westerly
on the northerly line of said Marston's land,
and in the same course of said Marston's said
line to the thread of the Emerson stream ;
| thence northerly down the thread of said
| stream to the mouth of Tobey brook; thence
| up said brook to the southerly line of the
town of Fairfield.
Mr.. Foster thought that a fair line of divi-
| sion. All the inhabitants west OF the line do
| most of their business at the west village
in fact all their business interests and engage
ments lie in that direction. The business of
the two places are distinct. There has been
| friction and collision for long while in the
matter of any public measure or enterprise.
| There is constant clashing. The inconven-
fence Of holding town meetings was alluded
to. 4 very serious friction was caused by
the "bridge question" The business men
saw that unless there was free bridge, BUSH
ness would be diverted from the town. He
gave an extended history of the bridge trou-
bic. After legislative action the county COM
mssioners decided that the bridge should be
built; then came suits in court, the arrest
of the county commissioners, the case now
being in court, and general satisfaction gen.
orally. Thought that division was neces-
sary on account of the bad feeling existing.
The East village is willing, in case of a divi-
sion, to assume the maintenance of the
bridge.
l. S.Bangs, Jr., gave statistics. East of line
there are 529 polls; 1897 $3.50 valuation {;
debt of town will exceed 100000. Valuation
OF whole town about $4,000, 900. West vii
lage has almost doubled its population dur
ing the last ten years; built up by manufac-
lures. Relations are not pleasant between
the two places. Knew of no particular ques-
ton affecting the public interest that divides
the town at the present time.
Prof. M. l.yford of Colby University tcsti-
fled in regard TO the schools, that it would be
for the interests Of both towns to have a divi-
sion; it would enable the authorities to grade
the schools
Rev. Mr. Skinner of Watervile, said he
thought it best for both sides. Thought it