The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-03
DEERING.

Inc ming of the report OF the commits
sion to arrange the terms for the annexa-
ton of the city of Deering to Portland to
be voted apon by the voters of the two
cities puts the matter before the people
in a shape where it may readily be I'M
derstood. Saturday reporters of the
PRESS asked large number of the citi-
zens of Deering for an expression Of their
j, views, and the interviews are printed be-
low.
The opinion generally expressed was
that the reports of the commission is an
excellent one, presenting fair and fea-
sibIe plan for the union of the two Cities
although there were some who dissented
from this view and thought the report
should have contained conditions in re-
gard to the finances, the fire departments,
etc.
Mr.. S. NJ. Watson said: Gas near as l
can judge the matter could not have been
arranged in q more satisfactory manner.
AS everything looks now annexation will
be brought about as I think the senti-
ment in favor is increasing
Mr. VIM. Fl. Scott was of the opinion
that the report was simple and concise
statement of how annexation could be
affected. When people realize the small
proportional difference in the debts of the
two cities,'' he said, II feel sure that they
will be anxious to vote for annexation. +
find that some who were formerly among
the principal opponents to annexation
are now in favor of it,.
Mr.. Thomas Johnston Of Woodfords, of
the firm of II. j. Bailey & Co.. of Port
land, said that he had not thoroughly
read the report of the commissioners, but
should judge it TO be just and fair to
both cities. ~ am personally in favor
of annexation as l believe it to be almost
necessity. Annexation would be a
great benefit, for what would help Port
land would also assist Deering. In my
opinion it is to come"
Ex-Mayor W. W. Merrill of East Deering
said: In my judgment the commission
ers are TO he congratulated on the able
report which they have made in SO short
a time. The ward line question was dis
posed of just as it should be. AS for an
nexation I have never taken stand one
way or the other as l am not satisfied
in my own mind as to what the effect
would b..
DR.. S. A. Packard, Portland dentist
and member of the Deering school COM
mittee, vas of the opinion that it was a
good and emphatic report. He said !:
} There was one thing that pleased me
and THAT was to note how close the COM
missioners consider the equality of our
own schools with those of Portland [
am, however, of the opinion, that Deer
ing has received more in the way OF pub
lie Improvements by maintaining sep
crate municipality that it would Ee pos
sible to receive for the first few years I'M
der annexation. The question, however,
I think, will be settled in the course of
two years
Mr. Andrew HAYES of Stroudwater said
he had read the report and considered it
perfectly fair in its terms. "We were in
favor of annexation at the last election
no reason why we should not stand for
it this,spring.
Ira S. Locke, Esq, spoke as follows:
~ have been able to give only cursory
reading to the commissioners report,
but from that reading I received good
impression CT the faithfulness of the com
missioners' labors and of their undoubted
wish to submit an equitable plan. Be
ing myself opposed to annexation, am
liable to fail quite to appreciate the re-
port in some particulars, and cannot
therefore justly criticise it until after
careful reading and reflection. I may
say, however, that their conclusion as
to wards, for instance, while undoubted-
ly reasonable today, having regard to the
respective populations, is unwise in my
Judgment in view of the rapid rate of
increase in behring's population. OF
course the lines could afterwards be
changed. but would it not be wiser to
leave as little need of change as possible
to the future? Should union be effected
all foreseen occasion for possible friction
in the near future should be eliminated.
l believe 1t to be for the lest interests of
both Deering and Portland to continue
as they now are, each an independent
municipality. 1 have heard no valid
reason expressed to the contrary and
know of none; and as each city is at pres
emit prospecting in its individual manage
Inent agres ably to its own elective choice
and decision, doubt the wisdom of in
dulging hope of greater prosperity under
a union government. Each city, how.
ever should evon cordially cooperate
with the other in the many matters of
mutual need and interest
Mr.. J. S. Kicker, we'll known citizen
and heavy tax payer. was asked for his
opinion and said: II believe that the
commissioners have offered us fair terms
upon which to annex. Annexation is for
the best interests of Deering. 1t also
means a good Geal for Portland. 1t is
bound to come and that being the case it
might as well come now as ten years
hence 1 believe that the heaviest tax
payers, at last so far as I have had a
chance to talk with them, are of the