The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-26

square as a public park was In order TO place
monument there and that IL the action was
taken, the monument would be erected. In
the cities Of Europe. the great monuments
are all found In the public highways and
parks where the people walk and ride.
Mr.. w. ID. Little spoke OF the risk Of fire
10 q monument in Market square. In case
Oh iire on Preble street, with strong west
eIly wind, or between Free and Middle
streets where there Is a large stable, the
Inonument would be endangered. A mOnu-
ment IN Market square would also be COW
cred with dust and dirt from the streets
Major III. S. Melcher called attention IN
the promises made TO the volunteers at the
opening OF the war, and said that now the
Association asked this spot because they
wanted monument where 1t could.be seen.
The speaker added that he had prepared
some figures In regard to the vote last spring,
showing that In a total vote of $40 there
were 4254 yes votes and only 654 mo
votes. The ''yes" vote was " per cent. Of
the entire vote and would be 65 per cent. Of
the largest vote ever thrown In the city,
MAJOR Meleher said that this was an express
sion OIL the wishes of the people and that to
disregard II would be to disregard the right
OF the majority to rule. He also referred to
the standing Of the gentlemen who compose
the executive committee OF the Monument
Association, and the action Of Bosworth and
Thatcher posts in voting unanimously In
favor Of the site.
Major 5. w. Thaxter wished to offer his
remonstrance to the proposed site. He said
that he had a great interest in the mOnu-
ment, but believed Market Square an insult
given, including the great expense 10 the
city. DIR. Gordon had presented his side Of
the question strongly, but Portland has not
the streets and parks Of the cities Of Europe,
and tastes differ in regard to the most suita-
BILE site for such amoHament Major Thax-
ter thought that enough money had not been
subscribed for the monument and that the
Association should have first had its monu-
ment completed and then asked for a Site
The speaker said that he believed that the
municipal officers In refusing TO condemn the
lot would sayei the Monument Association
from great error, and mentioned as good
locations Congress and State street squares
and Deering Park.
Col. G.. b. Merrill objected to the site as
native Of Portland, and deemed 1t unsuita-
BILE both ON account Of location and expense.
lie did not think monument a necessity {;
the fact that we are living under the United
States Government instead OF being "A part
Of the Dominion Of Canada. being sum
eient reminder Of the yalor of the soldiers.
Col. Merrill thought that the site selected
should be one which would give rise TO no
feelings of bitterness.
Mr.. Thomas l.. Talbot said that he did not
think the statute providing for the condemn
ing Of property as public parks would au-
thorize the Municipal authorities to take the
proposed action in this case. Mr.. Talbot
also spoke upon the city's financial cOndi-
tlon and thought that the granting Of the
site could not be done with due regard to
economy.
Mr.. Charles +. Jose asked IL Immediate ac-
tion was necessary, and Gen. Brown replied
that the treasurer of theAssOciatiOn now has
over $4,000 IN money and IL Is necessary to
know what action will be taken In regard to
the. site before the Association can accept a
st0 thn rIrok TT.lI ia L.
ed, the money will lie spent in providing a
monument for some other site, although
none has yet been thought Of by the execIl-
tive committee Of the Association.
MIR. Jose then said that he thought the
matter had better be delayed until the city
council ask permission of the Legislature 20
submit the question 10 the voters In a formal
way. Mr.. Jose also mentioned the legal
technicalities which might arise in the
course Of the proceedings.
In reply to questions by Mayor Chapman,
Hon. ii. b. Cleaves said that he knew Of no
legal objection to the course proposed, and
referred TO the Skillings's claim TO the prop
erty as bngbear. Mr.. Cleaves said that ne
would admit that the men of wealth in the
city are about equally divided on the ques-
by their votes, had expressed the sentiment
of the community. Mr.. Cleaves introduced
the petition circulated in 1860, praying for
the demolition OF the Old City Hail as un-
olthtiy anu dangerous 10 Hcdltus anu among
the long list of signatures said he found the
names of c. L. Jose, William Senter Charles
Mclaughlin and A. w. ii. Clapp, who now
sign the remOnstrance.
In reply TO a request by DIR. Gordon to
name location on which all could agree,
Mr.. Jose had named several which he con-
sdered suitable when he was interrupted by
somebody in the audience, who exclaimed,
''Put II on the breakwater."
The hearing was then adjourned