The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-13
SHOULD DEERING Be ANNEXED ?
Portland Citizens Express Their
Views to the Press.
Reasons For and Against the Union
of Town and City.
AnnexationIsts Complain that the
SeIectmen are Tricky.

the selectmen have played it on them in
calling the meeting for the Goth instead of
the 18th as the annexationists asked. The
18th is Monday, and there are about dozen
commercial travellers who are at home Sun
day, and would remain to vote for annexa-
tlon IL the meeting could be held Monday.
As 1t was called for Wednesday, they will
have to be away. Annexationists hint that
theiselectmen had these drummers in mind
when they called the meeting for the Goth.
Should the annexationists carry the day,
Portland would be called upon to vote i'm
mediately upon the acceptance of Deering.
The prospect that our lovely suburban
neighbor, with all her rich dowry may be
standing by the marriage altar in few days
ought to stimulate Portland to contempla-
ton of the contingency. To be sure, Deer.
ing has not waited to be asked; but 1t can
not be said either that she has done all the
counting. Her proposition is, after all, mod
est and becoming, and one that Portland
ought to weigh.
Yesterday the PRESS undertook to sound
Portland sentiment. Some of the opinions
heard, follow:
Mr.. Philip Greeley Brown of j. B. Brown
81 Sons, said he thought annexation would
be good thing. 1t will add to our city's
population and will give Portland a better
standing among cities, and that means an
increase In our business. The taxes will be
about the same and, at any rate; they could
be equalized so there will be no increased
burden for taxpayers to bear in either place.
1t will be good thing for Deering while
making little difference to Portland. Bos.
ton, New York and other cities have OBJ
tanned much additional property by annex
ing suburban towns.
Mr.. L. c. Woodbury. of Woodbury. &
Moulton. was heartily In favor of the plan
and for these reasons: First, Portland Is a
peninsular, small In extent of territory, in
fact, one of the smallest in the world In that
regard. and therefore needs the additional
territory. Secondly, Deering naturally be-
longs to Portland. because the people are,
almost to man, business men, and do bust
ness In Portland. The petition to the Deer
Ing selectmen. asking for town meeting on
the question of annexation was signed by
the prominent business men of Portland.
Thirdly. 1t is difficult today for person to
tell when he crosses the division line be-
tween city and town. Fourthly, there is no
other way for Portland to grow, without
crossing the water. except by way OF Deer
Ing. Annexation will benefit Portland as
well as Deering. Consolidation is the order
OF the day everywhere, because of economy
In operating and therefore In the interest of
all parties to the consolidation.
Ex-Alderman John F. Rand thought If
Deering could be annexed under favorable
circumstances 1t would be great advantage.
But we ought to go very carefully and see
that all the conditions are favorable for
both places. The conditions seem favorable
now.
Mr.. Lyman Cousens, of Milliken, Cousens
d Short, was favorable to annexation. AS
lar as his observation went as to other
places the system had been beneficial to
both.
Hon. w. l.. Putnam was not in favor of
the movement until we can get our finances
In better shape We have all we can do
now to carry our burdens, without adding
those of Deering. He believed annexation,
If 1t didn't increase, would prevent the re-
duction of our taxes.
Col. John G. Cobb said he had had great
deal Of experience In Deering matters. Her
people were possessed with the spirit OF I'M
rest She struggled and fought until she
got divorced from Westbrook, and will
struggle and fight now until she is married
to Portland. and in his opinion, the sooner
the wedding takes place the more time and
money will be saved.
Gen. G. P. Mattocks said he had no desire
to NEEDLE with the affairs of Deering, but
was well satisfied that annexation will be
beneficial to both places. although the fac
was recognized by him that 1t was a question
for Deering to decide.
Mr.. Rines, of Rines Brothers, thought an
nexation would be good thing. He also re-
ferred to the fact that cities had prospered
largely that had annexed their surrounding
towns while the towns mad shared in the
prosperity.
Hon. George Walker, thought very favor
ably of the scheme. He thought it would be
economical for it would cut off expenses
now existing He believed it would be bet
ter for the schools of Deering. Then they
would be graded. When he was mayor
numbers of Deering parents had children
they wanted to have attend the Portland
schools which was permissible on paving a
certain sum. With annexation they would
attend the city schools without that ex-
pense. There were many reasons that
could be advanced that would favor annex
alton as beneficial to both places.
Ex-Mayor Melcher would be very glad to
see Deering annexed provided 1t could be
done with equity to both places, and W.T..
Milllken took the same view.
Mr.. James P. Baxter said he owned real
estate in both places, and he was satisfied
each place had advantages that balanced
each other. Therefore he was strongly In
favor of the plan.
Mr.. Y. John Little favored 1t because the
Deering people could then get their rum at
the agency like citizens Of Portland. Joking
apart ne could see no reason why annexation
was not desirable.
Major Sidney w. Thaxter: ST can Sc
nothing but increased taxation from the an
nexaton of Deering. That part of the city
would be In need Of many expensive i'm
provements. behring's tax rate has been in
creasing for some time. As part of Port
land fear that this tendency on the part of
behring's tax rate would be transferred to
Portland. At present Portland is in excel
lent condition so far as finances and i'm.
provements are concerned. There is also a
decided objection to annexation on political
grounds. By the Constitution of Maine. no
city can have more than seven representa-
tives in the legislature. With Deering an
nexed. Portland would attain this limit at
once, and with the growth of Deering in the
future there could be no further increase of
representation. Such a result would con-
tribute to reduce the political influence of
this part of the state"
Hon. Charles j. Chapman: "My own idea
about 1t is, that while Portland has nothing
to gain from 1t Immediately, it would in the
end be to the advantage Of both Deering and
Portland. A dozen or fifteen years ago,
probably. stronger feeling would have ex-
listed in Portland in favor of annexation
than at the present time, because within that
time Portland has secured for herself needed
in way of sewerage system,
school buildings, paved streets, improved
parks and public grounds. while her debt,
counting out assets in the treasury. has been
reduced to less than five per cent of her val
natfnp Har tay ratio has italian in tho maan