Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-19

must be abandoned. No town was ever incor'
porated with only 100 acres, and in which the in
habitants have no property interest. No person
can land or stay there without being trespasser,
and only at the will of the proprietor. The nine
y buildings there are all cheap, small coops, with
no underpnnng, and with an average valuation
of not over $500 each, held BY a lease which is
not good in law. That is the KIDD of place which
they ask you to incorporate. The population is
tectlng let the granite business die out, and the
place vsnshes; men from other towns 90 there to
work, and their residence is but temporary.
He elaborated on what he termed "the one man
power" Gen. Tillson is an enterprsing man,
but he is nonresident Of the proposed town,
and his interests there are selfish. The matter Of
taxation is the main point of objection. The
General has expended 500. 900, and the valuation
is but SIG 600. In regard to schools, fire depart
ments etc, it was worse oil than other towns
of remote distances. In regard to the check list
of ODD names, a man living anywhere within the
precincts of the town had night to vete there.
Should the granite business be abandoned, you
will have a bare, uninhsbted rock rising from the
sea as monument of this legislature in lncorpor-
ating such a place into "A town. lie objected to
making "A town out of this shifting population. Ii
had really but few of the elements of town
Hon. Lewis Barker occupied an hour 10 his
closing argument for the petitioners.
He thought the notice that had been given TO Vi
nalhaven sufficient, and the officers OF the town
are here, as are also their attorneys. There are
no circumstances from the portion of the town
that asks TO be set off; they are unanimous IN
their desire that this should be done aud when
this is the case, we need have no doubt as to the
proper course to be pursued. These people ask
that they may enter upon new existence, to take
their place among the family of towns. What
objection can there be to ii If they perform al
their dnties to the State, pay then taxes, aud
main law abiding. good citizens will any question
of public policy interfere to throw obstacles in the
way 1t is the pronounced policy of the
government TO let people do as they please if not
inconsistent with the general good. When petit
TONERS came here with this desire, it has been the
general and almost uniform practice of the legs
lature to grant their request. The matter of the
sTnallness OF the town was considered, and instau
ces cited to show that even smaller and weaker
towns throughout the State, had been incorpor-
ated by the legislature. Then they bad houses
that had no underpinnng; they were humble men,
working for their daily bread, and not rolling in
wealth, IN luxurious dwellings, and stealing Tor
living.
Vina'hayen was perfectly willing to have fos-
ter0g over this little island while they
cceived an annual return for the same OF 81 900.
L Mess encouragement is offered to such men a
Gen. TIllson, how can we hope to re tain the bus
mess or population OF our Slater Many of the
little towns will glide out of existence, and vanish
from the map of State. There live on this island
men who have wives and children, who desire to
educate their little ones, and eNpend the money
raised tor municipal purposes In their own way.
II is no disgrace to man that he belongs 10 a
small town; many men Of distinction have
originated in small places, of less number of
inhabitants and less valuation that the proposed
town. Mr.. Barker closed with appeal to the
committee to encourage such men as Gen. Tillson.
The State may well take lessons from him IN the
shaping of its public policy. No higher duty eau
be discharged by the State than to take this man
by the hand and give him their encouragement.
The committee adjourned until Monday, when
a decision will be rendered