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

Major John NJ. Gould said that he found
comparatively few Of the old soldiers and
sailors in favor Of the site and did not think
the interest III livery deep. Major Gould
called attention to the fact that many of the
remonstrants are men representing large in
terests in the community.
President Brown of the Monument Asso-
citation, said that he was present to speak to
the Board, telling them some facts in regard
to the Association. Gen. Brown:referred to
the early formation of an association. its
agreement with the Longfellow Monument
Association to wait until the latter had ac-
complished its purpose; the organization Of
the Association in 1882 and its incorporation
in 1888 for the purpose of building a monu-
ment, not memorial hall. Allusion was
made TO the raising of funds and the unani-
nous vote of the Association in favor of the
market hall site, the efforts to obtain the
site, and the final expression of opinion of
the city at the last election when eighty per
cent OF the voters expressed themselves in
favor of the site. The speaker referred to
the repeated adjournments Of the hearing
upon the consideration of the old city hall
At the last election only 654 persons voted
against the granting of the site. Unless the
remonstrances contain more than this num-
the number of the opponents.
Gen. Brown said that it was known that
some persons objected to a monument any
where. Others, as the gentemanlwho pre-
sented the rem0nstrances, sincerely believe
the site not the best. Other ObiectOrs oppose
the granting of the site on the ground of ex-
pense. Gen. Brown claimed that the ex-
pense arising to the city and the loss of rem
tai would not be sufficient to render 1t un-
wise to place the monument in this place and
hsa NslsF larwr
which would refuse the request.
Mr.. Eben Corey thought no one present
was opposed to soldiers monument, but he
did not believe MarketSquare a suitable place
nor that the city could afford to give the lot
at a minimum cost of $4,000 or $4,000 Mr.
Corey asked what the exact question before
the meeting was and it appeared from the
reading of the records that it was ON the
condemning of the Old City Hall lot as a
public park. Mayor Chapman said that
while this was the question it was under
stood that the soldiers monument would be
erected there.
Gen. Neal Dow said the question was
whether or not Market Square Is suitable
place for public park. He was sorry to
have heard it said there was objection to the
erection Of a soldiers monument and was
sure that nothing OF that tenor would be said
against the old soldiers who oppose the site.
Gen. Dow said that he felt certain that a
majority of the people of taste and culture In
the city would declare another site better ev-
en- could the one proposed be given without
expense to the city. The cost was men
toned by Gen. Dow who thought the grant
ing of the site could not be afforded and that
this matter had never been carefully present
ed to the people. Gen. Dow said that al
ready taxes in the city are so high that many
Portland people have removed to Deering to
live.
DIR. S. G. Gordon referred to the large
number of houses built in Portland during
the past year as showing the material in
crease of the wealth ofs the city notwith-
standing the rate Of taxation mentioned by
Gen. Dow. In regard to the question before
the meeting DIR: Gordon said that 1t was
well known that the condemning Of the