The Portland daily press., 1898-01-08
7coo HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE.

TO the Editor of the Press:
Two years ago the anti-annexation-
lists organ of Deering "The Deerlng
News contrary to its usual custom, al
lowed an advocate of annexation, space
in which to express his views on the sub
ject, but the head lines were made up
" 4 Lone Citizeu," it being the intention
to give the iInpre ssion that people of this
way of thinking were very scarce in this
section; but the Editor was evidently
mistaken, or certainly would be now If
he took such view and we would refer
him to the discouraged view of that
prophet Of old, Elijah, when he
that had not bowed the knee to Baal, but
when told that there were 1000 who had
not bowed the knee to Baal he was dumb
as an oyster. The estimated population
of Deering is 1899 and 1000 at least of
this number have not bowed the knee to
this Office seekers Baal; 81 of the SO COM
posing the present Office holders OF Deer
ing are opposed to annexation, the other
two are favorable, the balance, 200, are
Office seeking individuals and their
friends, and whenever you find one op-'
posed to annexation you will run very
little risk in assuming that his expecta-
ton is feed at the public crib. To be
sure the emoluents are not so great in
this city as in some, for about all there is
to 1t is free rides for "a year on the cleo
tries, the honor, and a stock of enemies
that will last a lifetime. The annexa-
Zionist is not an Office seeker or as willing
to take his chances on something better
going wheresthe opportunities are less ire
Quen5. but, il secured, are of more value.
An outspoken opponent OF annexation
announced himself candidate for Mayor
Of the city of Dering on a car the other
night, although two minutes before he
sooffed the idea that he was opposed to
annexation ON that account. Another
who aspirSs to be representative to the
legislature remarked that annexation was
dead as Julius Caesar, but, since the
hearing before the commissioners, thinks
that Julius is coming to life again and
that, according to all present Indications,
there Is to be wholesale resuScitation OF
annexationists at the spring election.
The debt OF Deering and the debt of Port
land when you get them side by side,
makes the pet argument OF the ants pale
in the comparison, and puts every anti
on the defensive. Those quick assets of
Portland gas and railroad stocks, ceme-
terry fund, etc., should not have been
raked Hp then, comparing Deering City
Hall with Portland's, Deering Armory
with Portland's, Public Library (Mr
Bakers gift) seven engine houses, seven
steam fire engines, chemical, hook and
ladders, stables, horses, carts and all OF
the city teams, Liquor Agency, fire and
police alarm equipments. Almshouse and
large amount of real estate, saying
Dothing of it parks, and miles OF paved
streets and sidewalks, sewers, bridges
and other property looming up into the
millions of assets in excess of its 1abili-
ties. With Deering nearly up to its debt
limit, and higher tax rates sure to
come, the comparison Is entirely in favor
of Portland. Is there @ single farmer
within the limits of Deering that is SO
stupid that he cannot see that his farm
will be worth five or ten times as much
cut up into house lots within the limits
of Portland. Hundreds Of Portland peo-
pie want to move out where they can
have moro room, and let annexation take
place, and this section will see such
boom as was never conceived of. Then,
who i'll Deering is 80 selfish that he can
not see beyond the Deering line and that
the sun rises and sets beyond their mar
row horizon. Every true citizen of Maine
will at least extend his horizon to n point
that will take in the entire State Of
Maine, but next to this and first the i'm
mediate community In which he lives.
This is the community Of Portland.
Greater Portland Is, and should be, the
watohword of every true citizen, and
when the census Of 1900 is made up it
should be the pride and boast of every
citizen in the State of Maine to be able
to show that the community of Portland
has the credit it so justly and honestly
deserves. Ii every man, woman, boy
ami girl in Deeging should vote there
would be found majority of 1000 that
had not bowed the knee to Baal.
ANN EXATION.