The Portland daily press., 1885-03-07
THE PEOPLES FERRY.
ROusing Demonstration at Ferry village
Last Night.

A person in Ferry Village last night had
only to shut his eyes and forget the cold
weather to be in doubt as to whether Fourth Of
July, WLshingtOn's Birthday or lively cam
paign rally was being celebrated, the swapping
Of the fire crackers, the teoting of the fish
horns and the rattle of the drum corps all be-
ing mingled in a confusion that gave evidence
that something extraordinary had happened.
The roar OF the cannon, the music by the
band, the glare of the bonfire, added to all
this and the immense crowd of people stirring
about, served to make the village about as
lively as it has been for many years. The o.
casion of all this celebrating was the fact that
the Peoples Ferry Company had secured a
charter from the Legislature and an overjoyed
| community took this method of expressing
their approval of the act. Many went over
from this city to help out in the affair, and for
a winters night there was lively time. An
immense bonfire was lighted on the water
front and near this was stationed party with
a cannon from which volley after volley was
! fired. Merriman's Band marched to the FIRE
and played few lively selections and a drum
corps got up for the occasion added to the gem
eral effect. The band and crowd then went to
Union Hall, which was quickly filed to over
flowing.
Mr.. I, G. Hutchins called the assemblage to
order and Mr.. George f. Henley was chosen
chairman. Mr.. Henley, on taking The chair.
said that DR.. Lowell, who usually filed the
position, was detained by the sickness Of one
OF his children and would not be able to at
tend. He said the meeting was one OF con-
graduation on the success that had attended
| the petitioners for the new ferry charter. So
| lar in the fight they had been successful bat
| there was much work to be done and there
were gentlemen present who would speak In
regard to It. He then called upon "the gen.
tleman who has had charge Of the matter at
Augusta and who has carried 1t through 40
successfully, Mr.. f. II. Hartford"
Mr. Hartford said that the question was dear
to the hearts Of all, Of any age or OF any poll
tics. 1t has more than a passing significance
and means more than a victory over corpora
tion. 1t signifies that a cloud has been lifted
from us and we have been delivered from
bitter embargo. The stroke cannot be over
estimated. UHder the old charter our real
estate has been deprecated The new charter
signifies that Ferry and Willard villages will
have boom such as was never known before.
In nye years these villages will be bristling
with business and will become to Portland
what Brooklyn is to New York, and East Bos-
ton to Boston. Our commons will be teeming
with workshops, such as was never known be-
fore. We have a just pride In celebrating the
victory, as we all have contributed to its sue
cess
Mr.. T. G. Hutchins was the next speaker.
Mr.. Hutchins said there has been nothing in
the past of such magnitude to each individual
as the project we have 80 successfully carried
through. We have in the past lived in Poo
duck, but now we have in view the prospect Of
living in the world and not simply in Pooduck.
IN Eez@-d 10 tha old ~ss~--....vtau1Uus, ne
reeSrded it as unnecessary to say word. as
al kne,' Wnat they had been. They have de-
preciatso o'- property. Their franchise was
gsnrSu iT in the tst Of the people. but It
has been a scoaree' a biiebta 2 corporation. 1t
us. Mr.. Bradbury said at the G-jsI",nxs
when he appeared in the interest Of the--as'
ent line, that epidemics were not unusual ahs.
that ferry epidemic had aettled on Cape
Elizabeth. II he was here tonight, he would
think it had. Mr.. Hutchins said all had stood
shoulder to shoulder in the fight, and while 1t
had been his fortune to be pushed toward the
front, all had aided nobly. When the enemy
sought to scatter discord, all rallied at the polls
and threw their votes for the right.
After music by the band Mr.. William Spear
was called upon. Mr.. Spear said that two
points had been gained and now q third one
comes up. Some were still without faith that
the thing would be carried through, but there
we're others who had enough to see it to the
end. He cautioned all that there was a great
deal of work that remained to be done as in
Portland there was considerable antagonism.
What we must do is to show the city of Port.
land that If they fail to respond this time, the
day will probably never rise again when they
can visit our shore with team by the way Of
a ferry. The hands of the friends OF the cause
in Portland should be extended towards us. He
didn't believe in Growing until they were out
OF the woods. The work is not finished until
Portland can be made TO look at it as we do.
He believed that the city has more at stake In
the running of team boat than the people of
the other side. Not perhaps matter Of dol
lars and cents, but as a matter of comfort in
getting to and from their summer residences,
etc. We want them to help us so that the
landing may be completed and our boats may
be running before the 10th of June. If we
have to put on a boat first, and see II she fills
the bill before the county commissioners will
do anything for us it will be too late for the
summer business But he hoped and believed
that way would be found to meet that mat
ter.
Mr.. G. A. Tilton said he was glad to be pres
ent and rejoice with them. We have fought
big fight against mighty odds, but we have been
victorious. The little piece of paper We have
been fighting for for months we have at Last
gained. We have been shut up here after
half-past seven at night as,though we could not
appreciate the advantages enjoyed by the outer
world. This matter has been brought about by
the non-efforts of a company who held the
keys to the outer world. 1t looks now as if
the tables were turned on them. We have all
worked together from children to gray haired
men. We have all felt the need and now all
rejoice. ii there are any here who signed the
remonstrance we forgive them II they hsveire-
pented. The old company said. "It you would
only say what you wanted" as II they were
the only ones to apply to. We have applied to
some one else.
Capt. ]. A. King was called upon and in an
sger congratulated all in their success. Mr..
Marshal Spear then gave little description Of
the new boat, substantially the same as ap-
peared in Tuesdays PRESS. Mr.. VIM. 81. VIII
lard of Portland also rendered his congratula-
| tons.
The committee on resolutions reported the
| following:
| Whereas, The ferry between Ferry Village and
Portland has long been the subject OF complaint as
| being inadequate and ineoDvenient; ard
Whereas. Our complaints and petitions have been
met with indignity and insult till forbearanee has
| Whereas, Relief is about to be obtained through
the charter lately granted by the Legislature; there
/ fore
Resotyed That We hail with pleasure the advent
| of the new company among us, and pledge to them
L our UNDIVIDED patronage ana support.
/ Resolved That the thanks of the community are
| due to those of our townsmen who have labored so
L diligently to accomplish this great good.
RESOLVED That the granting of the charter is the
event of the Legislature Of 1885, and that will
| go down to history and be remembered by our chill
l dren's children.
ResoiUed That we extend to the citizens OF Port
land fraternal invitation to join with us in pro-
noting this enterprise, alike beneficial to both
/ communities and for the greatest good to all.
| Respectfully submitted,
| HIRAM ELLIS,
Il. g. HUTcHINs,
c. A. TmToN,
| G. +. HENLEY,
| WIN. SPEAR,
Committee on Resolutions
These resolutions were adopted by unani-
nous vote, and after extending vote Of
thanks to Merrimans band for their delightful
music the meeting adjourned.
Several Portland business men were over to
see what was going to be done in regard to the
| nav farru Thav axnraasad thanasalvaa In,