The Portland daily press., 1898-01-11
ANNEXATION.
To the Editor of the Press:

! From the conversations one hears in re-
gard to the question confronting the citi-
zens OF Deering of ''to be. or not to be, ?"
and from some Of the communications
which have recently appeared in the
Daily PRESS, it is apparent that, not
| only are there O number of people whose
position on this question is not pased on
any comprehensive knowledge OF the ex-
listing conditions, or the conditions that
will exist, if annexation becomes 1act'
and hence are little uncertain OF thelf
position; but also that there Is ELMER
lacking on the part of those VINO 90 pre-
tend to be certain of their position, an
accurate knowledge Of the real facts reia-
tive to the conditions of the two cities. or
else they use only such facts and figures
as will lead one. provided he be not too
particular on the matter of logic, to
adopt their conclusions as incontrovert-
ible.
However, we are all human, and are
therefore liable to err And in order to
get at the real facts, both sides should be
heard, misstatsments corrected, misrepre-
sensations laid low, and fallacies exposed.
With this in view, place in the columns
of your valuable paper is solicited for the
publication of this communication the
sole object of which is to bring the facts
before the people. whether they be con.
tanned herein or are through further dis
oussion brought out later.
Knowing the facts every one can draw
such conclusions as they seem to him to
| warrant, and we are all Yankees, IT it
| comes to a matter of conjecture. And, ii
knowing the facts, majority OF the
voters of both cities prefer to live under
one government and under such conol-
tions as will then exist, let us submit by
all means to the Judgment OF the major
| ity.
The assertion that those opposed to an
nexation in Deering are entirely made
mn of present office holders, ayoWed seek"
ers after political honors, and those more
modest aspirants, who are sub rosa, at
least, afflicted with that deep seated
hope'' Is only O counter charge on the
part of those who are annexatlonists, be-
| cause their remarkable abilities as states
men have not been duly recognized or
| Justly appreciated, and 60 are ready to
null down the house about their own ears
in order to destroy those whom fortune
has smiled more kindly upon, nor are
they entirely free, it may be from wee,
lingering hope that in Greater Portland,
| if they are conspicuous in advocating
union, the lightning might insist on
coming down their rod.
| But such charges and counter charges
are not entitled to our serious considera-
ton. There are the real facts behind all
this, and in view of which it is either
wise or unwise for Deering to be annexed
| to Portland. The loss of a representative,
higher tax rates. and the condition of
having the question of further improve
ments in our territory placed in the
hands of men large majority OF whom
would live in the more densely populated
portion OF the Greater City are unques-
| toned facts and are with many others
entitled to consideration.
| The question of the debt of each city
and it's relation to the valuation is not
| free from some uncertainty in the minds
| of many, and from its importance ought
| to be entitled to more care1 III in lestiga-
ton than has yet been given il by most
of our citizens, although it must be adj
mitted that it is little difficult to get at
PortIands real financial standing from
the reports issued, owing, as one of the
commissioners termed it to her, expert
system Of bookkeeping. The statement
! that the proportionate debt OF the two
cities is now practically the same, not
only does not tell the whole story, but is
also erroneous.
In the first place the question of wheth
the i've per cent. limit has reference to
the gross debt, and is of Importance, be-
cause no city has any authority to borrow
| money in excess of five per cent. of its
| valuation, and it is admitted that Port
| land gross debt is seven and two -tenths
| per cent. of her valuation, two and two
| tenths per cent. above the five per cent.
| limit. It is not denied however, that
| Portland is able to make temporary loans
and refund her present debt, if necessary,
her creditors relying upon the honor
and integrity of her citizens to meet her
obligations, yet she would hardly under
take, we think, to avowedly increase her
permanent or bonded Indebtedness Beyond
| its present limit, and this fact has caused
| her to perform some rather remarkable
| financial gymnastics within the past few
years.
On the other hand, behring's gross
debt at the end OF the present year will
not exceed three and twelve-hIndredths
per cent. of her valuation, leaving pos
sible increase of about two per cent for
further permanent improvements before
reaching her five per cent limit; which
may be seen from the following figures
and which may be verified by investiga
| zion.
Bonded debt (1ncluding Forest
| Ave. bonds, SlS0, OOo.
oi ~ Sn"-' VI '''' u " e,7oo
'99 'p'l' - II 200.
AGES, etc. 4,5o(
|
| Total, Slo3, 400
Forest Ave. ~ 1880
l
Gross debt, ISL, $50
Total valuation at end of present yeal
estimated on increase of last two years
"a, $50, GOO; rate per cent, .03l2 But it il
said Portlands met debit should b:
taken. which will bring her rate pei
cent. down to .034, and that Deering hal
| contracted for improvements which at thu