Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-06
A comnunicatiop.
Editors Kennebec Journal:

'J 1e0eou seeS tue space between Au-
gusta and Hallowell occupied by new build
ings. While certain lands between the two
cities have been kept out Of the market,
presumably for speculative purposes. thus
delaying this movement to large degree,
still the growth has gone on, and it i. now
evident that it can only be . few years, at
the outside, when the two cities will be
grown together.
There can be little doubt, in view Of
this fact, that eventually the two
cities will be merged in one. This
10 the natural course of events, AMI wher-
ever such union occurs, be i. sooner or
later, we believe it will be accomplished
with the hearty approval of the citizens of
both places, and be greatly to the advan-
tsge of each. At the start there are preju-
dices to be overcome, but time, and growth
and the grim reaper will gradually dispose
OF these, until the people Of both
cities come to be in entire harmony
on the matter. The conditions will
then be ripe for union and it will Re
sure to come. We do not believe that the
conditions are ripe for such a union. L.
deed the time may not come for many years :;
but that it is destined to come eventually
we believe is the honest opinion of the
thoughtful citizens of both places who
have noted the tendency of events.
The villages of Laconia and Lakeport in
New Hampshire we're situated very
much as are Augusta and Hallowell.
They had about the same relative popula-
ton, were the same distance apart, and
were connected By horse railway,
along the sides of which buildings had been
erected until the two places had grown to-
gether. For several years nothing save
local prejudice prevented their union. This
prejudice was strongest in the smaller
place, Lakeport, which vigorously objected
to any Emerging of its identity" as one of
its citizens expressed it, in that of its
larger neighbor. Three years ago the
writer was the guest of Lake
port gentleman, and in the course of
conversation, put the question to him when
the two places were to be united? "Never,"
was the reply. "Laconia, like Barkis, is
williog, but don't know of a single man
in this place who is in favor of it. Our
tax rate is considerably lower than theirs,
and we prefer to go it alone" Several
weeks ago the writer was agaia in Lakeport,
the guest Of the same gentleman. Noticing
that the streets were dug up in mum Der of
places. Inquiry showed that the occasion was
the building of fine new system of sewer
age.
"Who pays for this?" the writer asked
his host?
1.-The city,"
1.-THE city,"
"Yes, Lakeport is part of the city
of Laconia now you know. The
two places were incorporated into tity
by the last Legislature.
"But l thought your people were opposed
to it and would never consent to a union"
"They were, once, but as the two place
grew together that feeling passed away.
When the matter went before the L,gisla-
ture practically everyone in both places
was infavor Of it,"
"But how about your tax rate?" 2
"That is some higher than it wa, before
the change, but we are getting som, ad-
van.ages, this sewer system for one, which
we feel more than makes up this difference.
In the consolidation of course our debt was
added to that of Laconia as part of the
city's liabilities"
But you still keep your mama?
Eyes this part Of the city OF
Laconia is still called Lakeport AMI
that remains our postoffice address
In fact except for these Improvements l
speak of you would scarcely know that the
change had been made at all. Everyone is
satisfied with it, however, and perfectly con-
yinced that it has been for the best interests
of both places"
This incident shows the rapid gcowth of
sentim ant when coniitio is are favorable.
There are probably few people in either
Augusta or Hallowell who would advocate
a union of the two cities at this time, but
there are few leading men in either place
who 90 not believe that it is one OF the re-
ants that time 10 destined to bring about.