The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-11
AN INDIGNATION MEETING.
The Property owners OF Peaks ISL
and Protest
Against the Valuation Fixed by the
Assessors.
steps VIII be Taken for Redress OF
Grievances.

A week or ten days ago, people owning
property on Peaks Island began to receive
their tax bills for the year 1889. just at that
time feeling of discomfort began to arise
among them, and finally this uneasy feeling
became little less than real bitter indigna-
ton. The cause of the ill-feeling is an in
crease of from 2 to 200 per cent in the taxes
on the real estate of Peaks Island in excess
of the taxes assessed in 1888. People own
ing property on the island thought last year
they paid as large tax bills as they could af-
ford to, and many believed they paid tax
bills that were far too large. So, when their
taxes were still further increased, there was
at once general expression Of dissatisfac-
tion. Last night an indignation meeting
was held in the school house, next to the fire
engine house, on Peaks Island, for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the sentiment Of the
people in regard to the recent action of the
board of assessors. Much feeling and in
tense interest was manifested in the meeting
by those assembled. Mr.. James B. Jones
called the meeting to order, and was elected
chairman. Mr.. Henry Tr.ssffettihen was eject
ed secretary. -~fhe purpose of the meeting
VINO uhiChy ouatC0 Wy SAdiludh OOuCos 4ul.
Robert Skillings said he had not received his
tax bill, but supposed he was in the same
box with his fellow property owners on
Peaks Island. If the assessors have dou-
bled my taxes, said he, shall tell them as
once did before, that they may take what l
have, and 1 will scud along under bare
poles.
Chairman Jones said it was we'll known
that the taxes on the island had been in
creased from to 200 per cent, and the ques-
tion now presented itself. what is to be done
about it? He said that he supposed there
were three different courses Of action. A
call might be made for the county commits
sioners to at once make readjustment of
the valuation of the island property; an ap-
peal to the city authorities, and, as last re-
Sort an appeal to the legislature might be
made.
Mr.. Joseph Sterling said he proposed to
make an appeal to the city government and
the assessors. If there is any redress for
me | am going to have it, said he, L will
sell my property to the assessors for what It
is taxed for.
Mr.. Henry Trefethen said he would like to
know the proper action to be taken In the
matter, and called upon Alderman Thomp-
son for information.
Alderman Thompson said he was of the
opinion redress should be sought from the
city assessors He suggested that commit
tee be appointed to appeal to the city gov
eminent for special meeting to consider the
matter. He thought the city council might
pass resolution asking the assessors to
make an abatement in the Peaks Island
taxes, and he had no doubt the resolution
would have the desired effect. If the asses
sors failed to grant the abatement then, as
last resort, an appeal might be made to the
legislature. However Alderman Thompson
said he anticipated no trouble in obtaining
favorable action from the city council. Be-
ing obliged to return to the city on the $50
p. m. boat Alderman Thompson was unable
to make further remarks.
Four years ago assessors appointed by the
Probate Court fixed the value of the Luther
Sterling land on Peaks Island at some $500
or $500. This year the city assessors value
the same property at $4,000, and tax it ac-
cordingly. The property is unimproved. and
the only income the heirs derived from it
was $54, the sum for which the hay sold.
Mr.. B. p. Wallace said his tax had been
increased from $50 to SAT. When my place
was taxed 500 1t was taxed for all 1t was
worth, said he.
Mr. William A. Sterling said he was taxed
last year all he could afford to pay, and this
year he was taxed $42 more than last wear,
Mr.. M. G. Sterling said: l am taxed five
cents per foot. and ! will sell my whole
man offered to sell his land for one and half
cents per foot. The assessors have placed
the value of the same property at five cents
per foot.
Others said they were taxed five cents per
foot for land they would sell for 500 per
acre.
Mr.. Simeon Skillings said his taxes had
been doubled. There is no use trying, said
he, cannot gay such tax, the assessors
will have to take my property.
Mr.. X. T.. Sterling and the other heirs of
Luther Sterling consider themselves taxed
far more than is right.
Mr.. E. l.. Parsons said his property was
taxed to its full value last year, and this
year the assessors have increased his tax
bill some $35 or $40. He is taxed $97 on the
property that he has leased for the last
three years for $40 per year.
A gentleman was present who had visited
Peaks Island in behalf of Western syndi-
cate who proposed to purchase and improve
land on the island. The taxes were found
to be so high that the syndicate at once gave
up all thought of locating on Peaks Island.
When the last steamer for the night left
for the city the meeting was still in session,
the question Of how to proceed to obtain an
abatement in the taxes being under consider