The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-18

annexation must ultimately come. lHose
in Portland who oppose say it will make
Portland taxes higher. Those who oppose
in Deering say it will make Deering take
higher. For the life of me cannot see now
the taxes will be raised in both places.
MR.. THEODORE C. WOODBURY.,
said that on one side of the line were 10000
people. and on the other 6tGO. alike in their
pursuits and associated together in bust
ness. Portland. he had been told. is terri
torially the smallest city in the world in
proportion to her population. Portland
needed the territory of Deering. Her future
growth would thus be provided for. He did
not, however, believe that Portland wanted
to annex Deering except on the proper con-
ditions. Deering had no sidewalks, no
police, no fire department. If she was to
come in she should bring in enough to make
the partnership equal.
ELIAS THOMAS. ESQ.
agreed with Mr.. Thaxter.
JUDGE NATHAN WEBB,
said that this was not the first time that an
attempt had been made TO add territory to
Portland. There was an effort at one time
to annex Cape Elizabeth, an Eeffort stimu-
lated by a brass band, street procession and
transparancies. But that was averted. The
present move seemed to come from the
Board of Trade, which has been the prolific
origin of schemes that have come to naught.
Discussion is good, but the Board of Trade
does not represent all the intelligence and
brains of the city of Portland.
Now, what exigency, what evil to be cured,
has brought this question to the fronti Mr..
Little says that 1t has got to come. 1 bow
to the prophet. out cannot accept the
prophecy. Mr.. Woodbury. Dana recalls the
waste places that were in Portland in his
youth. Judge Webb said he could remember
the same things and the same growth. But
there was no growth to justify the present
measure. The example of the greater New
York and the greater Boston had been
cited. but here was nothing in those ex-
amples to en- courage a plan for consollda-
ton of territory here. The trend of interest
was different here. Deering and Westbrook
had separated; Cape Elizabeth was talking
of division.
Judge Webb referred to the interviews
published in the PRESS with citizens. and
said that the main argument advanced by
those who spoke was that it would sound SO
much bigger to enlarge Portland. But are
we to study for the advantages of surround
ing people. Are we to extend the benefits
we have acquired to others?.
Judge Webb took up the idea that Port
land needed more room; and asked what
difference the moving of the boundary
would make. 1t would not change the bust
ness relations of the two peoples. 1t would
not make Portland goods cheaper for Deer
ing citizens. What interest do we subserve
for ourselves to build their streets for them,
to send out our police to them, to give them
our fire department. to take care of their
poor? Is Portland SO we'll supplied with
necessaries that she may furnish them to
her nefghbors. Are her streets in suCh good
shape that she may assist in taking on the
ffty-four miles of behring's streets? Have
we SO many police patrolmen that we can
send them out over the eleven square miles
of Deering territory. No municipality can
wish for advantages at the expense of a
neighbor.
There is that other important reasons
urged by Mr.. Thaxter. By most Ubiquitous
piece of manoeuvering at the time of the
formation, it was provided that no city
could ever have more than seven represent
tatives. Deering may grow as large as Port
land and the Two may in the future furnish
fourt cen representatives to defend the
rights of this portion of the state; but unfte
them and the whole population could not
have over seven representatives.
The people who go to Deering for homes,
go from choice, not necessity. There is
much unoccupied territory already in Port
land, where they could find comfortable
homes. One reason given is that We want
larger system of parks. For what. pray
do we need more breathing space? 1 hope
this city will keep its head, deal honestly
with itself and its neighbors; and that those
who manage its affairs will remember that
the first duty is to act for the good of those
whose interests are committed to their
charge.
HON. ANDREW HAYES,
of Stroudwater. said that the two com muni-
ties were practically the same. Whatever
was for the good of one was for the good of
both. cannot see how the annexation of
Deering could change taxes. We pay our
own. way now, and we could do it after an
nexation. We have good schools. good
poor house
A voioe-Is it well populated.
Mr.. Hawes-There only thirteen in
which is a very good showing for city of
our size.
We are obliged now to maintain separ-
ate city government. That expense could
be saved. We could also have advantage of
Portland's systems of administration. Mr..
Halves closed by saying that he was heartily
in favor of the union.
JOSEPH S. KICKER, ESQ,
said that he approved of annexation, and
thought it would be to the advantage of
both cities.
JOSEPH H. HUTCHINS, /
of Deering. said that he was opposed to an +.
nexation. He believed that Deering was
better able to make her own Improvements
and pay her own bills.
MAYOR SAWYER
of Deering, said that his interests were so
wholly with Portland, that of course he |
favored whatever was for the good of Port
land, provided it was consistent with the |
good of Deering. He believed that the an
nexation would. have to come about in time;
but he did not believe Deering was quite |
ready for it now. |