The Portland daily press., 1898-01-22
ANNEXATION.
TO the Editor of the Press:

40 CtC EUtCOT W Gfto fSoos
We were bit amused at the righteous
indignation we aroused by asking tnao
the figures, on which the commissioners
based their report relating to the debts OF
the two cities, be published. Our annex
alton friends have been contending tnao
the rates per cent of debtsof. the two cities
are now approximately three and four
tenths per cent, and because we publlsneo
facts tending to prove otherwise, they re-
fer us to the report of ths commissioners,
which as published in the PRESS says
sthe difference between the net debts OF
the two cities amounts to but small
fraction of5 one per cent" What the
commissioners would consider small
fraction Of one per cent, and how much
difference in the rate per cent Of dett
would have been necessary to require in
their judgment special provision in case
of annexation, we do not know. That is
q matter of opinion. Their honesty and
sincere desire to present what they deemed
q fair basis for annexation, no one has
thought of questioning. But as to wheth-
er they gave proper weight to all the
facts or took into consideration all the
facts, five other men of equal sincerity Of
purpose and ability would have done, is
another question. But it Is idle to dis
cuss that, and the honest intentions OF
the commissioners are admitted. How
ever we believe that the people of Deering
are DESTROYS of knowing the exact stand
ing of the two cities expressed In dollars
and..cents. And that there may be differ
en- ces Of opinion as to just what facts
should be used in arriving at our rate per
cent of debt is very evident from the
course this discussion has taken.
The figures given to the commissioners
by the city treasurer of Deering do not
give the rate per cent of debt that our
friend Progress insists is the correct one.
Does he have better opportunity for
getting at the facts than our city treas.
urer, or shall we understand him rs cast
ing reflections upon that officials honesty
and sinceriuyp
We see no reason why the people OF
Deering should not be given the figures,
and let them judge for themselves as to
whether the commissioners took into
consideration the same facts which they
believe should be considered, and whether
or not any special provision for adjusting
the debts of the two cities was necessary.
At all events we do not believe the citi-
zens Of Deering will surrender up their
right to form an opinion on this and
kindred matters because human trl-
bunal, however fairly made up, has al
ready given out it's Judgment on the
subject.
OF course the question Of the rate per
cent of debt is not wholly one OF opinion,
but the question of at what time the
valuation and!debt should be taken in
order to make fair comparison presents
a question on which people may diner
without being insincere or dishonest.
Further, we do not believe the .Emem-
hers OF the commission have any feeling
upon this question whatever, or that
there is any intention on the part Of any
one to question their sincerity. They are
reasonable men and know very well that
other.people may. not agree with them In
all particu nor do. we believe that
they have any desire that they should be
shielded> from the public eye by any such
a cloud of indignant proteststlons, land as
surances of honesty and fairness, as the
friends of annexation are raising in this
matter.
Although we might obtain all the
figures fro m any one of the commission
ers we haven't felt iJ our. place to publish
them as our authority might be ques-
toned, and nothing could be accomplished
that way. However, if the annexation
lists prefer to have the matter stand as 1t
is. we must let our statement of the
financial condition of the two cities go
and let the people decide as to whether it
he fairsor not, unless the authorities will
enlighten us further.
" ANN IT