The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-23
OPPOSED DIVISION.
Villages of Cape Elizabeth Have a
Good Thing

Their OwnWay-A Committee Appoint
ed to Oppose the Division.
A meeting was held at the Opera house at
! South Portland last evening for the purpose
of considering the proposed division of the
town of Cape Elizabtn. There were two
| plans showing the proposed zig gag line the
| diyisionists would like to see drawn through
| the town. Bf
| 1t was village meeting, and, the farmers
were only represented by 9. Staples, but he
| proved host in himself.
| Joseph S. Pickett called the meeting to
| order. and j. II. Hartford was chosen secrc-
| tary. Mr.. Pickett said that there might be
| said to be three questions before the town.
| Division, annexation to Portland, or the
| adoption Of city charter. Mr.. Pickett said
he had very pronounced views on the sub
| ject himself, but proposed to hear from
| others before saying more.
"Mr. Clement Z. Staples is here,'' said
| Mr. Elckett perhaps he will kindly say
something"
Mr.. Staples said. he himself, was feeling
heavy load of modestly settling over him,
| but at the same time he was willing to give
| his views. He denied that he was prime
| mover in favor of division of the town.
but said that he was one of tho movers for
the division that has been asked for. Il be-
ieye in division, and were located on this
side of the line should take the same view
of the case., He said that he did not claim
to represent body except himself. Ter
sonally he was strongly opposed to a city
charter, and even If there was city instead
of town organization the farmers would
still ask for division.
| John B. Chase thought that the water
front had nothing likely to make the village
grew. Lewiston and Auburn have been
| built up by manufactures. He did not like
| the idea of a city charter, and was still more
| strongly opposed to the annexation of any
| portion of the town to Portland. He said
| this should be regarded as an exceptional
| YEAR After this the rate of taxation may,
| II is hoped, fail back to the former assess
| ment. He asked what would be tie effect
| of division on the schools. Surely the
| farmers who would compose the new town
| would not want to lose the light to send
| their children to the high school. Mr.. Chase
| said 1T would be simply impossible to carry
| on city government as cheaply as the
| present town government is conducted. and
/ gave figures from the municipal reports of
| DeerIng in support OF his position.
| Mr.. staples took the platform to which
\ the maps had previously been lifted, and
| explained the proposed line. The idea was
! to leave all the villages on one side. He
| would not consent to divide village. The
| villages must have as a matter of necessity
| many things the farmers do not need and
| do not want to pay for. Streets and sewers,
| sidewalks and electric lights are as neces-
| sary to the villages as are shingles on the
roof of farm house.
James H. Hartford objected to the pro-
| posed line and did not believe that proper
| line could be drawn. He said that the
| valuation of the proposed farming town
| would be under $.00,000. and he asked Mr..
Staples if he belieyeaathat the rate of taxa
| ton could ne kept under three per cent.
.sWe'll settle that for ourselves if you'll
| let u.s. said Mr.. Staples. If it is as high
as that we shall be the only ones to blame.
Mr. Tilton was opposed to division and in
| favor of a city charter. 1t did not seem to
| him that seven aldermen need to be more
expensive than three selectmen, especially
| as they would take their pay in honor. i
| don't believe a dozen men in town are
| agreed on the same line" he said, but he
| did not think the proposed line fair one
| The ideal line would be one that would
! leave the villages by themselves, and the
| farmers by themselves. He said he did not
| believe that Mr.. Staples WAS right when o
| said that no one south of the proposed line
| was opposed to division.
| The chairman said he opposed annexation
| in any form, and also division. He would
keep South Portland II part of the town.
| and would hesitate about voting for a city
| charter.
| Justice Robinson said that if the people
| of one section of the town want to go by
themselves. he favored saying to them,
"Erring sisters go in p eace."
| Mr.. Staples made a closing argument on
his side. He respected every mans opinion,
but at the same time he could but think
that the villages would find division to be
| for their interest. 8 Let the farmers have a
| chance to manage their own affairs as they
please. If they incur heavy expenses it will
be their own fault"
f. IT. Harford-...I move that it is tie
sense of this meeting that we are opposed
10 the division of the town on the proposed
| line"
Mr.. Staples-"I object to the resolution.
| 1t is in effect instructing our representative
how TO VOTE"
Mr.. Harford-'It does nothing of the kind
| IT is only the opinion of we, who are here
assembled OF course if he takes his cue
from us we can't help it,"
| Ny. Tilton--"I move rising vote.'
| Mr.. Staples then suggested an amendment
| that this meeting is opposed to a city
| charter
Mr.. Hartford said that all the legislature
could do would be to pass an enabling act.
The first motion was adopted. Mr.. Staples
was almost the only one who voted against
| it.
Mr.. Heo kbert then moved that a commit
tee OF six be selected to go to the legislature
! and to use their influence against division,
and in favor of the passing of an enabling
act submitting to the voters of Cape Eliza
beth the question of adopting the city form
| of government"
Mr.. Henley moved an amendment that
| committee of six be appoint tad by the chair
| to select committee to 20 to the legislature
| for The purpose suggested by Mr.. Heck bert,
| and to report the list at a future meeting
MIR. Heckbert accepted the amendment,
| and the chair appointed E. E. Heckbert. E.
| G. REYNOLDS, William T. Studley. e. T.
| Benner. John B. Chase and c. A Tilton.
The next meeting will be held at knight