The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-05
DEERING.
Enthusiastic Meeting of Annexation
lists at East Deering.

| in the campaign Of annexation was held
last evening in Illsley hall, East Deer"
ing.
| The attendance numbered sixty OF the
best citizens of the ward and the frequent
outbursts of genuine applause bore evil
I dence of the favorable position OF tne ma
| jority of the citizens of East Deering on
annexation.
The first speaker was Mr.. Fred V. Mat
thews. who said: sit has been our course
| in this campaign to spread the truth ana
facts, and to hold ourselves in readiness
for correction, but we have yet to lind a
single fact disputed or statement DIS
proved. We maintain that Portland mas
been paying off her debt while Deering
has within the past few years doubled
hers. Portland gets the benefit OF large
fax paid by behring's business men, yet
| we have no voice in her government. Ii
annexed we shall then have voice as to
how this money shall be spent. Ioday
Deering does not have the free use OF the
Portland Public Library. The late John
B. Curtis in his will provided t5O,ooO Ior
the library to behring's citizens. The
trustees Of the library are now debating
| az ia whether or not the city of Portland
can afford to allow Deering the privilege
! for apy such amount. If annexed gentle
mon, the question will be settled, and we
| shall have free use OF the library without
further question.
Ex-Mayor, Merrill the president of the
society, said: II am interested in this
movement for annexation as l believe it
| to be for our best interests. (Applause.)
Annexation has been tried in other places
and found successful and believe it can
be made a success here. The argument Of
money better for themselves than Port
land can. Judging from the way the
money has been spent in the city govern
ment particularly during the past year,
they are spending it too well and increas-
ing our debt too fast.
Twenty five years ago we had better
streets and sidewalks than we have today.
It can be said to the credit Of Portland
that no city in the country has more
miles of paved streets than she has. We
have entered this campaign in ear est
and have endeavored to meet the argu-
ments of the antis in fair and honorable
way. On the other hand the principle
argument of the antis has been to heap
abuse upon certain members OF the an
nexation society. The latest contemplate
piece of business that we have to deal
| with is the way In which the official bal
| lot to be used in voting for annexation
has been arranged. 1t shows very clearly
| that the Office holders have been together
and have planned this BALLOT to catch the
people, Duu III Ivy JuuSiuOuo uuOy WILL Aoo
succeed. in reducing one iota the majority
| in favor of annexation" (Applause.)
Mr. Clarence Small referred to tie way
! East Deering had been dealt with by the
city of Deering. That the citizens of East
! Deering at least had Gauss to complain OF
the way In which they had been treated.
Petitions have been sent in for police pro-
lection and other necessities but all have
been ignored. The streets have been
| neglected throughout the section. and in
the city during the past five years it has
cost $46, 900 for labor to spread onto our
streets $500 worth Of sand and other
material for our gravel walks, while
Portland is spending $50, 600 year and Is
getting permanent work in the way of
paved streets, etc. Our heaviest tax pay
ers and best citizens are in favor of an
nexation and it must come.
Mr.. T. G. Harris and G. W. Brown
were the last speakers, and spoke of the
excellent progress made by Portland as a
city and Of her ability to assist in inn
proving Deering in the many ways that
present themselves from time to time.
The meeting adjourned at ten O'Clock.
THE LAST CALL.
This evening will be the last opportuni-
ty for the citizens and voters of Deering
DESTROYS of hearing the cause Of annexa-
ton presented at the meetings to be held
forces. A grand rally is to be held by the
annexationists at 7.45 in Hoegg block,
Deering Center to be addressed by well
known speakers qualified to present the
claims of annexation.
The anti-annexationists are to hold
their last meeting at eight O'Clock in
Lewis hall, Woodfords. Several well
known speakers have been engaged for
this meeting. cordial invitation is ex-
tended to all citizens DESTROYS of infor-
nation to attend these meetings
The members of the senior class of
Westbrook seminary had this pleasure OF
Offering to the amusement seeing pubic
of Deering an entertainment last evening
in Hoegg hall that was we'll attended and
Thoroughly appreciated by all. The enter
tainment was furnished by the Bowdoin
college Glee, Banjo and Mandolin clubs.
The programme of the evening was pub
lished in yesterdays PRESS. At inter
mission refreshments of ice cream and
cake were served.
There is to he special meeting of the
Deering city government this morning at
eight o'clock.
Miss Eva Murch of Sebago Lake is
visiting at Morrill's corner as the guest
of MIR. and Mrs. Charles Goodrich.
There are several cases CT measles re-
ported among the small children of Nor
rills corner and vicinity.
The members of Hose 8, Morrills cor
ner have recently purchased frame and
glass in which they are to frame the new
chart of the location of hydrants and fire
alarm boxes. The goods in the grocery
department. displayed at the fair recently
held by the Red Men of Morrill's corner
are to be retained and offered for sale to
tie members at intervals and the proceeds
from such sales are to be devoted to the
friend of the tribe.
There will be an anti-annexation rally
at Lewis hall, Thursday and Saturday
nights. March Sd and 18th, 1898, at 8
O'Clock. The citizens of Deering are par
ticularly requested to be present at these
meetings. Speakers will be present who
will present the principal reasons against
annexation.
Workmen have commenced to lay the
floor for the third story of the new High
school building at Deering Center. Good
progress has also been made on the
masonry work during the past few days.
At the session of the board of registra
ton held on Thursday there were "a citi-
zens registered as voters This is the
largest number ever registered in one day