The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-02
THE FERRY QUESTION.
The Testimony for the Petitioners
All Presented.
Judge Coddard's Opening for the
RemonStrants.

.Terome b. Fickett, Portland, testified that
a public landing was desirable for the inter
ests of the city.
E. Greely Spring, Portland, member OF
the firm of A. & S. E. Spring, testified to
substantially the same as the preceding wit
Israel P. Butler, of the firm of Morgan &
Butler, Portland, testified to the need OF a
public highway. Witness stated that when
he did business on Commercial street ne sold
dealers of Ferry Village quite largely, and
found it very inconvenient hauling his goods
round by land. Should be willing TO pay
taxes on from $4,000 to $4,000 for snch a
landing.
The following additional citizens of Port
land testified to the need of public landing
and the benefit to the business interests sucn
a landing would incur: III. Trott King, OF
Geo. W. True & Co.; John M. Lord, OF
Lord. Uskeli & Co.; Chas. j. Walker,
wholesale merchant; Prentiss Loring, fire
and marine insurance; DR.. Albert G. Pin
gree; Francis c. Hayes, livery stable; and
DR.. j. M. Buzzell.
John w. York, assessor of the city of
Portland, testified that after an examination
ON Portland Pier, he had estimated the dam
ages that a public highway would incur
there to be $6,550.
Questioned by District Attorney Bird
Never assessed damages before; was on the
wharf from one to two hours; did not in
clude the part of the wharf which is solid
fill in estimate of damages.
A long time was consumed ON questions
regarding Portland Pier, and the various
interests there, and the chances for trade
thereafter if public highway was laid out
After Mr.. Bird finished with the witness,
Judge Goddard took him in hand. Some OBJ
lection was made to the time taken in this
cross-examination. Judge Goddard said !:
honor, and we wish to show how careless
was his examination and how superficial his
testimony, and how much he knows about
what he is talking about"
The witness said he did not think Portland
Pier a suitable place for public landing,
but thought there should be public landing
laid out somewhere, say at the dock oppo-
site the Custom House.
Re-direct-A large petition was filed for
the landing at the foot of the Custom House
and the harbor commissioners said it was
not suitable place and landing should be
laid out at some other place. This was also
the decision of the City Government.
Stephen Marsh, an assessor of the city OF
Portland, testified as his associates had,
making the damages at $6,550. He submitted
to long series of questions from the, OPP
posing counsel to the same effect as those
put to Mr.. York. Witness said in making
his estimate he estimated how much the
wharf property would be worth after the
public landing was laid out, and he didn't
think this would increase its value any.
Witness thought it would be more conyen-
lent to have the proposed landing at Custom
House wharf, if it was practicable.
George r. Davis, Portland, testified: A
real estate agent; resident OF Portland
fourteen years. Have examined Portland
Pier. Think the property above Lewis,
Chase Il Whitten's store, would increase 20
per cent. in ten years, If public Terry land
ing was laid out there. My estimate of dam
ages conforms with that made by the asses
SorS.
Cross Examined by Dist Atty. Bird
basis of 25 per cent increase is made on the
fact that line OF business would spring up
there. Have been on Portland pier quite
frequently on business. Don't know Of any
wharf where the island or ferry people have
built up a business. Portland pier is one of
the narrowest wharfs in the city.
The folio wing gentlemen not being able to
be present, their testimony as to the public
necessity and convenience of a public land
ing, was admitted John w. Lane, propri-
etOr of the United States Hotel; George w.
Woodman, of Woodman 65 True; Ammi
Whitney, of Kendall & Whitney, and Oren
Hooper.
Judge Drummond said he thought the
question of personal damages to property"
had better be decided now, as the counsel so
agreed Yesterday.
Judge Symonds objected. He said he
thought it might as well be decided at the
close of the hearing as now.
the case if this point was not decided now.
He stated that the total damage to be in
CURED was, OF course, very important FAC
tor, but that the assessment OF damages was
entirely irrelevant to the case, and that if
the committee so decided much time might
be saved in the ecross-examination.
The committee, after comforting, said they
did not know as they had any right to make
a decision, but their opinion was they were
not to assess damages, and that only the
amount Of the damages should be considered,
this, of course, being very important.
The evidence of the petitioners here ended
and the court adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
In the afternoon session, the other side
commenced operations, Judge Goddard open
ing the case for them. We give the sub
stance of his remarks.
JUDGE GoDDARD's OPENING.
AaV it please the court;
i hold in my hand remonstrances from ten
1872; Brunswick, 1856; Freeport,
100; Gorham AZ; Gray, a; Harrison, Harrison, o.; 4 New
mond, IA. In all, 751 names.
These tdNns demonstrate, because common ne
cessity and convenience does not need such
the beginning, it will show what is represented
by these remOnstrances. The old company, Port
land Pier and the City of Portland are all repre-
sented. These towns have a valuation of ST.
100000. Valuation of Portland, $4,000; Cape
Elizabeth, 50, 900.
These towns represent so per cent, outside of
should be heard. There have been few weak
recantations from these remonstrants, but there
is clear 700 who demonstrated last October and
continue their remonstrances. The County of
Cumberland, by the exercise of financial econO-
my, is out of debt. After having, by rigid econo-
my and high taxation, cleared ourselves of debt,
we hope that will not be charged against us. We
are out of debt and should Keep out. We admit
among the things established is the execrableness
Nf (Nar MOI hnf q rot 10
singular reason why the County of Cumberland
should be called upon to lay out a public high
way? The distance is not materially diminished
by a ferry boat but in certain seasons of the year
the condition of the road is so bad it would be
better to go by the. way of the ferry; hence we
are to be called uporf to furnish public landing
dition of one of the Cape Elizabeth highways;
You will observe the business Of Ferry Village
1t is founded upon the basis that each family
spends $500 every year in the city. That is an
of 200 per cent, Therefore, you
will see that this is of these inflated, rOsecOl
Ored estimates which, when examined, collapse.
Now then the grievances have been pictured In
very sombre colors., According to the testimony
the old company did not keep up with the require
ments of the people around as was desired. They
did not run quite as early in the morning, as late
at night, or in bad storms, as the people would
have desired. Then we getths result. The time
had arrived when little healthy competition was
favorable. We say in answer, all this has been
remeded. Then according to eyery6ody's agree
thing is right. Young gentlemen and ladies can
come over in the evening; they are all accom-
modated. What remains? Everything is reme-
died. The large population of Cape Elizabeth are
laboring people.
Do the laboring people keep horses? 1t is a
rare thing. Then why is it there has been so
much talk about it? Some of those witnesses
have said all their grievances have been reme-
died. They fear the double ender won't be per-
manent and that is the key to the whole matter.
They want two lines and they know that the busi-
ness won't support two unless they have sub
sidy and that is what they want. When all the
Sland steamers run and pay their own expenses
IS it consistent that the county should pay an ex
DenSve price tor landing for the Cape Elizabeth
boat. We shall show that the expense has been
greatly underrated. We shall show that an ex-
lense of S30,000will be required by the county
counting the risk from accidents. Furthermore
We shall offer in evidence not any crude guesseS,
1ut evidence of the civil engineer in the city of
Portland, a man who has spent forty years in this
making estimates. Finally we snail
show you when this is all done it is entirely an in
adequate affair, for this will only be private en-
erprise under the name of public" Ii we 90
his at all we should make the thing truly public
and for all the companies and not one
private corporation. You are not asked to grant
his Under the petition there is nothing can be
lone that will prove satisfactory, and after the
Expense has all been made, it will have to be done
,ver again.
The first witness called was Gen. Neal
DOW. He testified: Have always lived in
PORTLAND. Do not think public necessity and
convenience require the laying out of a
.;~b,voy Tho Portland SIda hoe no ;,,4o..az1