The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-24
THE OTHER SIDE HAS ITS INNINGS.
Continuation OF the Hearing on
Boothbay's Great Question:.
How Maine Lovers Of a Life on the
Ocean Wave
May Yet Be Enrolled In Uncle Sam s
Reserve Force.
Especial to the Press.l

Especial to the Press
AUGUSTA, Jan. 23.-There was larger
crowd than ever at the opening of the Booth
bay hearing at the continuance this after
noon. Several ladies were present, as well
as legislators and spectators. Many citizens
of Boothbay had come up, and when the
side of the remonstrants was opened by
True p. Pierce. Esq. their counsel, there
was an audience both on floor and in gale
ries. Mr.. Pierce told an interesting story
for his side of the case, explaining fully and
entertainingly the claims of the remon-
strants. First Selectman John E. Kelley of
Boothbay sat at Mr.. Pierces elbow, giving
him suggestion now and then, and Mr..
Freeman Boynton was not far away; and
Representative E. E. Race. one of the select
men, was an interested listener.
Mr.. Pierce. in beginning, said that this
had already become lengthy hearing. Con-
sidering the interest already taken. both by
the public and the parties Interested in it. It
seemed that there was expected some very
good reasons why the old town of Boothbay
should not be divided. 1t took no little de-
gree of assurance for the petitioners to come
here, draw this line and say that the town of
Boothbay should be divided. Towns are
State institutions, and they should
not be divided unless it could be
shown that the public emergencies
demanded it. 1t has not been the custom of
this State to change the limits of towns or
counties fer any but the gravest reasons.
That there are many within Boothbay who
are dissatisfied does not prove that division
Is necessary. BOothbay was organized in
1867, and is one of the Oldest towns in the
State. In 1912 the island of Southport was
organized into town by itself. 1t was an
island by itself and there was. good reason
why it snonld be separated. But now the
present acreage of Boothbay is only 1875
acres not enough to make a good sized farm
out West. OF that acreage that asked for
the new town is only about one-fourth
And the land extending as it does
on the iline of the petitioners, Mr. Pierce
wished to ask If the public exigencies re-
quire1 the division. And right here he
wanted to show that far outside the limits of
the map before there were several islands
belonging to Boothbay-Outer Heron
Island, Damariscome Island and some small
er ones.
Going on Mr. Pierce said that in the first
place there was no reason for severing the
connection of the people Of the town. Their
Interests were identical. And Mr.. Pierce
asked the committee IL there were not
many Maine towns having villages where
just as good reasons as those presented here
could be brought forward in favor of sep
aration If there should be "a few who
wished separation? But all the testi-
mony was that there was the best
Of feeling between the different sections of
the town. And all the reason that could be
given for separation was that at times they
sometimes have pretty lively town meetings,
something which every good old New Eng
land town INDUCES in more or less.
Speaking of the petitioners Mr.. Pierce
said: I'VE have here 270 petitioners asking
for division. There were 335 originally, but
Of these 55 have changed from petitioners to
remonstrants, giving their reasons therefor.
Moreover in the part asked for as new
town there are about 150 who do not want to
school districts as 16, Mr.. Pierce stepped a
moment to indulge in little sarcasm at the
expense of the witnesses knowledge of
Boothbay. There are from IS to 90 miles of
highway in Boothbay, of which about three
quarters is In the old town. OF bridges that
two very long ones which in making the line
of division the people of the village had been
careful to leave outside their limits. The
five miles Of road in the Isle Of Springs,
which was spoken of by counsel on the other
side. would be taken care of by private par
ties. That part of the case relative to tie
giving of all the town property of the old
town was disposed of by the fact that it is
entirely unconstitutional.
As to the question of water, the main
question at issue. Mr.. Pierce said that the
town was perfectly willing to give water TO
the village. The question was something
different On Feb. q, 1887, charter was OBJ
tanned for Boothbay Water Co. Mr.. Pierce
then went on to explain the town meetings
which have been held in Boothbay over the
water question, showing fully and clearly
the town side of the dispute. The old Booth
bay Water Co., (not the present.. cane in
for some pleasant notice, Mr.. Pierce
speaking Oh 1t as vague and shadowy
something CT which, and of the standing and
very definite knowledge. OF all the ; STAGES S
Of the controversy over this contract Mr..
Pierce gave full explanation.
Then the witnesses for the renonstrants
were called and sworn as follows: John Z.
Kelley. ". g. Lewis. j. Z. McDougal, Her
bert Harting, Freeman Boynton, John G.
Spinney, G. W. Cllsby, Representative E. e
Race and Byron Giles.
Mr.. Freeman Boynton, of Boothbay Har-
Dor was the first witness. When asked if he
was retired shlpmaster he said he had
superintendent of schools and knows very
well the feeling of the town, especially
in district No. 1, the region of the proposed
new town. One hundred and fifty remon-
strants lived in the region. He mad seen
and talked with them all. In about every
Uus
other meetings, speaking of the sentiment of
the remonstrants, he said they were opposed
to divisions; but If there should be a good,
reliable movement to give Boothbay water
those 150 would vote for water Until the
old contract appeared there was no objection
to granting aid by the $50 remonstrants for
water; but when that contract appeared
they found sections which did mot CORE s.
gond to the vote of the town. He thought
there was strong sentiment all over the
town In favor of giving the village water
whenever the question should be approached
Alright. He said the proposed line Of division
severed school districts No. II. No. 8, No. 16.
This would give No. IL school house to the
South and the other two to the North. The
school districts were all arranged as well as
could be and after separation a rearrange-
ment would be difficult. He had some figures
as to valuation and school money of the town I:
School District No. lin 1888 the valuation
was S5l7 ,067; the valuation opposed to division
was s2ol $50 favor S3l5 ,287:
District No, S-Total 35,l05; of whom there
were opposed $40, 1852, and in favor $l4,343.
District No. 16-Total S45,O92, of which is op-
posed S2l, AL. and In favor s23,6S1
Outside these districts Is the territory crossed
by the proposed line which runs through districts
Nos. l and l6. In these the total valuation
Is S27,644, of which there is opposed Sl7,Sl9,
The total town valuation is 81 o9s 800, of which
there Is In favor of division 1888, and opposed
$65S,591.
MI. DoyuI0u also gave HSureS relating 10
the school money; and also as to the increase
of valuation.
In cross examination Mr.. Boynton was
roughly handled by Orville ID. Baker, and
the value of his testimony was considerably
impaired.
Others of the witnesses were examined
this afternoon and this evening. Mr. Me-
Dougalps testimony as to the dongs of the
town meeting and as to the effect of division
was very clear. There are three or four wit
nesses to be examined tomorrow, among
them Representative Race. The hearing
continues tomorrow.
The First Appropriation Bill.
The first appropriation bill, entitled an act
to provide in part for the expenditures OF
government, has been prepared and reported
by the finance committee, reported to the
House, printed and is now before the mem.
bers as House bill. No. 81. The usual ap,
preparations are made. and in this respect
the bill is like other appropriation bills that
are made for ordinary expenses. But this
year the bill is distinguished by an unusual
number of appropriations for deficiencies. -
There have been some unusual circumstances
causing this like that in enprossinp two