The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-18
DEERING.
Amendments to City Charter and Annex
alton Discussed,

DeerIng has got to be city of meet
ings. 1t is a pretty rare evening nova
days when the seeker after excitement
cannot find some sort of body in session
where oratory wings its fight until
late hour. With the Board of Aldermen,
Board of Trade, Board of Managers,
COMMITTEE of Twenty-one, and 9TH
ers, and with the fertile subjects of an.
nexation and new city charter, the citi-
zens of Deering may fairly be said to be
in fever of discussion.
Saturdaysnight the Board of Trade had
its turn again, and with them met the
Committee of Twenty-ons, or part of
them, and the citizens were invited to
meet with them too. There was fair
attendance.
President John E. Sawyer presided and
called upon Scott Wilson. Esq, who pre-
ssnted the report of the committee OF
Twenty-one, providing for amendments
to the city charter, creating board OF
public works, and the question WAS then
open for discussion. The recommenda-
lions of the committee have been printed
in full in the daily papers.
Ira S. Locke, Esq, was the first speak
er. He mentioned the growth of the
city, its divided settlements and it's
rapidly increasing needs, and said that
methods which are successful "a larger
cities should prove so here. The advan-
tage of taking the affairs of the street
department. out of politics is evident to
all and will result in a more judicious
expenditure of the city funds. He also
thought that it would prevent any pos
sible jsalously between various sections
of the city. In conclusion he expressed
himself heartily 10 favor of the proposed
board of public works.
Mr.. L. B. Chapman was called upon
but failed to respond.
Mr.. Merritt B. Coolidge favored the
board as being more likely to do work
of permanent nature which would be
great benefit to the city.
Judge I. L. Elder was next called up
on, and said that he had been too busy to
give the matter much attention, but
that in sll matters of public nature he
wants to subserve the welfare of the
contrast between the last year under the
old town, and the new city government
and the wonderful manner in which
since that time the affairs Of the city
have assumed shape, and claimed they
were now conducted on stricr business
~ ;rIo md hot "a ar md of O
| city is fully 40 per cent better than when
town. He said the single board of
government was prominent factor In
this progress. Continuing, he spoke of
tho present manner of directing the
street work By the street committee of
tory and better than the proposed plan.
This plan CT having only one Of the
proposed commissioners go out of office
each year might be good one, but
there is chance for jealousy and con-
tiict even in the board. He was proud
of the honesty of all of the city officials
in the execution of their duties, and
the affairs Of the street. department are
as well managed as any, therefore, he
did not favor the proposed change.
Ex-Mayor William ". Merrill WAS a
mem Der of the committee which had
TIE matter in charge, and upon being
called upon said that he wished to hear
the views of The others.
DIR. Charles W. Foster did not believe
that the board would eliminate poli-
tics, and he would like to see a board of
larger number elected by the people
and would rather see the people have
more time to consider the matter which
is very important question.
Messrs +. II. Thompson. E. G.
o. Brien and r. NJ. Johnston spoke briefly
and then Mr.. 6. g. Harris took the floor
and in most earnest speech advocated
the reform urged By the committee. 1t
was, he claimed, in the line of progress
and the only true business like way for
municipality to conduct its affairs.
Mr.. Frank True favored the new plan
on the ground that it would secure con-
tinuity in the work Oh the public streets.
Judge Elder ventured the suggestion
that the scheme was another new fad. !"
ID1S Drought MI EuWhEu Z. asSotG
to his fact to defend the plan "fad" or
not. If it was he declared it was a good
fad. It had been tried with great sue
cess in city in which he had lived and
seen It's practical workings, and in that
city of upwards of 145, 600 people he did
not believe TINT anybody hardly cared,
he found, who would be willing to go
back to the old methods. Some ''fads"
were righteous and excellent for the
community and this was one.
Mr.. A. W. Pierce favored the scheme,
as did Mr.. E. +. Hanson and Mr.. Will
son.
Several other gentlemen spoke briefly
and then the meeting endorsed the plan
as proposed by the committee by q
practical unanimous vote.
| It was then the annexationists turn.
Fortunately for the gentlemen who
wanted to get g little sleep before the
Sabbath was ushed in, there did not ap-
pear to be one sentiment among the citi-
!