The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-08

favor Of city charter. The committee said
they would consider the annexation question
first.
Mr. George c. Hopkins said he appeared
for the annexationists. He presented map
showing the city of Portland and the town
of Deering Mr.. Hopkins said the popula-
tion Of Deering was about 5000. This feeling
for annexation has been growing for many
wears especially underneath the surface.
Mr.. Hopkins then gave a history of the
proceedings which brought the matter be-
fore the legislature.
omitted to state that the question Of annexs-
tion had been before the town at the last an
nual meeting and that article 81 was placed
In the warrant at the request OF Mr.. Hopkins,
which provided for annexing Deering to
Portland. In an elaborate speech Of half
hours length he presented all the arguments
In favor OF project and then the town al
most unanimously vo.ed TO dismiss the article
Mr.. Elder said that while he did not appear
as opposing annexation to Portland, he be-
ueyed that the blottlng out Of whole town
was a serious matter, which required time
on the part Of its inhabitants TO reflect and
make such bill as would be acceptable to
them. He objected to the present bill be-
cause he thought 1t was written hastily and
that some OF its sections were uncOnstitu-
tional. Mr.. Elder was in favor Of a city
charter because he believed that he acted
under instructions Of the town to that effect :
that the three selectmen Of the town were
present and could answer any question as to
why they were present themselves.
Mr.. Hopkins said that he should think 600
wanted annexation.
Mr.. Chapman said he [Mr. Hopkinsl must
be crazy.
Mr.. Hopkins said he thought about four
were In favor Of city charter.
Mr.. Chapman said he thought they might
as well turn this place into lunatic asylum
II such remarks were to be made. He said
he came here in earnest about this matter
and not to make burlesque Of it,
Senator Walton said the city charter wasn't
under discussion. Ii was annexation that
was before the committee.
Objection was made to section four In the
enabling act, which provides that the valua-
ton OF real estate should not be increased
for assessment of taxes until the year 1900.
The committee thought the matter was un-
constitutional.
Mr.. Manley asked Mr.. Hopkins II he did
not think annexation would greatly increase
the valuation for which they would not pay
additional taxes.
Mr. Hopkins said that the city Of Portland
was willing TO make some agreement by
which their valuation should not be in
creased.
Mr. Chapman asked If Mr.. Hopkins con-
sidered the mayer the city of Portland.
Mr.. Hopkins said that any amendments
which should be made by the opponents, II
Of a reasonable nature, would be accepted.
The committee said that 1t was evident
that section four was Objectionable as the
fixing of valuation arbitrarily would be es-
tablishing bad precedent.
Mr.. Luther Bradford, chairman OF the se-
lectmen, said that Mr.. Hopkins's statement
that there were not more than four men in
Iavor OF the city charter, was gross exag
geration and entirely erroneous.
Mr.. j. III. Hltchins of Deering Center said
that nearly all the residents in his section Of
the town were In favor of city charter II
Mr.. Warren Sparrow, chairman of the citi-
zens' committee Of twenty-one, said that nine
tenths OF the residents of Woodfords were In
favor of annexation.
Among the Deering eople present were
the following In fay0r Of annexation: Geo.
Q. Hopkins, w. III. Scott, s. A. Packard,
Andrew J: Chase, Frank Chenery, VIM. w.
Merrill. Warren Sparrow, Fl. +. Farnum, j.
w. Stockwell, L. Frank Jones. II. b. Webb,
George Russell, E. G. johnson; and the fol-
lowing opposed: l. L. Elder, l.. b. Chap
man, j. II. Hutchins, Luther Bradford, A.
w. Wilson, Edward Cox.
The committee will consider the matter In
executive session. q