The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-13
ANNEXATION OF DEERING.
The Movement Is Now Under
Way.
PORTLAND WILL WELCOME HEB
SISTER CITY.
Board Of Trade Began to Circulate Peti-
ton Notwithstanding Men IN Both
Cities sign-Legislature Will Act.

Board Of Trade Began to Circulate Peu-
ton Yesterday-Leading Men in Both
Cities Sign-Legislature Will Act.
A petition was circulated Wednesday
from the Board of Trade. asking that steps
be taken by the coming legislature to bring
about the annexation of J Deering to Port
land. Although the number of persons to
whom the petition could be presented yes
terday was necessarily limited. it is under
stood that the petition was sig nod by
large number of prominent citizens of both
Deering and Portland. Mayor Baxter and
the Portland city government are under
stood to be very favorable to making Deer
ing portion of Portland; and there seems
to be no dolbt that the sister city will re-
ceive warm welcome if she decides to join
her destinies with those of Portland.
1t is probable that a meeting OF LEAD Ing
citizens of both cities will be held very soon
to discuss and forward the matter. 1t is be-
lieved that in Deering the feeling is very
general that annexation is only matter OF
time; and many prominent citizens have ex-
pressed the feeling that. such being the
case, no more propitious time than the
present could be found.
The Board Of Trade of Portland. whic h
includes both Portland and Deering men.
favors the movement actively.
The only way in which annexation can be
brought about will be through act OF the
legislature. Two ways will be open to that
body. 1t may by act formally unite the two
cities; or it may pass an act to enable the
city of Deering to determine by vote
whether she wishes to be annexed or not.
About six years ago. before Deering be-
came city, this question was agitate1. At
that time the sentiment of Portland was in
an uncertain state, and the announcement
given to Deering was OF decidedly chilling
variety. In Deering those who were fondly
attached to the old town form of govern
ment, resisted the change most actively
and successfully. Since Deering has be-
come city, this move for opposing annexa-
ton has passed away, and many who then
opposed now favor. Some who then favored
annexation have, OF course. become at
tached now to the new city government:
but it is not probable that this number is SO
large as that of those who have changed for
the other reason.
Deering has now got sewer system. ana
such other improvements as she might we'll
wish to ensure to herself before joining
Portland. Now. by annexation, she can get
the benefit of we'll organized and equipped
fire department. of large and well-handled
police force, of the post Office free delivery
system, besides many othero advantages
which would come from consolidation.
Deering has population Of about six
thousand. and is rapidly increasing. This
added to Portland would bring the popula-
ton of this city we'll up to the fifty
thousand mark. The population of Deering
properly belongs to Portland, since most Of
it is supported by business carried on in
Portland. Already the narrow territorial
limits of Portland have practically all the
houses they can contain. The overflow il
going to Deering in a tide that increases
every year.