The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-10
ANTl-ANN ExATiON.
A Clear Statement of the Arguments of
the DIRECTORS.

To the Editor of the Press:
| The cause of the anti-annexation1st Of
Deering has been very ably presented IL
your columns but fear the length OF
some'of the communications has weakened
the force of their arguments. WISH Go
boils them down and state them briefly
and distinctly. in the hope that they may
be made more emphatic.
| 1. Annexation is supported by poll tax
payers to get the two dollar rate OF
Portland instead of the three dollar rate
of Deering. Men of property should rally
| against this.
2. Annexation is supported by the large
real estate owners because 1t will increase
the value of their property. Poll tax pay
ers should unite against them.
8. The principal aim of the people of
Deering should be to avoid paying taxes.
1t is erroneous to say that the real ques-
ton is not whether. we pay dollar Or two
more or less but whether we get the
proper return for what we do pay, and
have more money to pay with.
4. Annexation means more people in
our territory, moro houses, more money
and an increased demand for labor. All
this is detrimental. 1t tends to make our
property worth more; we may have tospay
more tax on it. If a man has real estate
which he can sell now for $500, and the
growth on our territory increases its
value SO he can sell it for $4,000, it is a
disadvantage to him because he may
have to pay four dollars a year more tax
on 1t.
s. The people of Deering are better
than those of Portland. Rum is sold and
drank in Portland but none in Deering.
If we are annexed we shall both sell and
drink. Indeed it is we'll known that q
large number of orders for gilded saloons.
to be located in various parts of Deering,
have been given. subject to a favorable
vots on annexation.
6. Portland is wretchedly mis-
governed city. This argument is vehe-
mently urged by some of our citizens
whose business and most of whose prop
erty is there. They know better than to
might have an opportunity to improve the
misgovernment under which they ave
prospered.
Z. We shall get nothing. The city
officials will simply take the money we
pay in taxes and expend 1t all on the ter
ritory of the present Portland. We press
this point earnestly, confident that it will
t the average ueI anti IT, 'I' guy 's'
s. The members from wards 8 and In
the city council of the greater Portland
will have no influence. should hesitate
to state this point, as it seems to reflect
upon our people. but it has been SO fire.
quently urged by my Instrumentation
friends it cannot fairly be omitted.
9. THE argument of the annexationtsts
that questions Will constantly arise upon
which the representatives from wards
and will hold the balance of power and
that they can use it to enforce the just
claims of their locality is utterly without
foundation. No matter how bitter the
contest between the alderman from ward
and the alderman from ward 8, each
will decline any alliance with the alder
men frem wards 8 and 9. Rather than
succeed by the help of the hated peering
wards they would each, prefer to have the
other triumph over him.
10. The report of the commission that
the financial condition of Deering and
Portland is substantially the same is in
correct and absurd. Even the concur
renee of Mr.. Moore does not save it from
as has been decidedly
shown in the lengthy communications OF
Anti in your paper.
II. The claim of the annexationists
that the greater Portland will gain in
its increased prestige, in business stand
ing, in political stability, and in rank
among the leading cities of the country
may be true but the argument reacts
against them. Every step toward pros
perity is of course a step toward greater
wealth and with greater wealth comes
necessarily larger amount to be paid in
taxes. We are3not so lacking in common
sense as TO desire prosperity on any such
DOUBLE ANTI.