Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-26

The woman suffragsts. are put
ing their cause in new form. They now
petition for exemption from taxation
on the following ground: "1masmuo.l
as taxation without representation ID
the principle against which the AmeE-
can people have protested from the
Iundation of this government. we, tax
paying women of Maine, being without
/ representation, most respectfully ask
your honorable body that all women In
this STATE subject TO taxation be ex-
empted therefrom." Senator Reynolds
introduced batch of these petitions
which were referred to the committee
on towns. Senator Vickery introduced
| Dill extending the charter of the
kennebec & Franklin Railway. It
was ordered that the Judiciary ccm-
mittee inquire into the expectancy OF
| amending the law in relation to tae
support of State paupers.
The most important committee hear
ing Of Wednesday afternoon, judging
from the popular interest shown. was
that on the proposed annexation of
Deering 10 Portland before the COM
been held in the Senate Chamber. but
the crowd was SO large that the hear
ing was adjourned to the hall of the
Hou.e which was well filled during the
afternoon and evening. Large cele-
cations of the most prominent and in
iluential. professional and business
men of both Portland and Deering
We're present, and there were speakers
by the dozen. Ex-Governor Cleaves
conducted the case for the anneXatIOn-
lists and City Solicitor Scott Wilson Of
Deering, led the forces of tine opposl-
ton.
Fred V. Matthews opened the ball for
the petitioners for annexation. With
the aid of charts he explained the
benefits that would arise from the
union of the two cities. He declared
that the annexation sentiment mas
been steadily growing and that the
petitioners include the majority of the
taxpayers. He was followed by num-
erous well-kn0wn citizens of both
Portland and Deering. who gave freely
and strongly their reasons why an
nexation is desired and why it should
be carried out at once. The speakers
for annexation included eX-Mayor Bax-
ter. f. B. Winslow, City Engineer Fer
maid, Lyman c. Cousins. eX-Mayor
John w. Deering, and Ami Whitney OF
Portland, and Andrew Halves, Repre-
sentative Hopkins and cX-Mayor Mer-
rill of Deering.
Among those Who Mr.. Wilson called
upon to speak in opposition to anneXa-
ton, after his own able speech in OPEN
ing. were the following Deering citi-
zens: Mayor A. +. Moulton, c. Il. Var
ney, ID. w. Hawkes., Fred Thompson,
Charles Foss. Adam Wilson, ElbridSe
Matthews, Gardiner Cobb, Archer
Pierce. DR.. Foster. J. N. Reid. J. Fl.
Hutchings and II. Lowe. At p. NJ.
the hearing was adjourned till even
ing.
The evening session of the hearing
was devoted to the closing arguments
of the two sides. City Solicitor Wilson
sumed up the case of the anti-eXpan-
sion party and made the most of the
material he had at hand. Hon. A. NJ.
hearing ON behalf of the Deering
annexationists, and Ex-Governor
Cleaves made the final argument
for the Portland anneXationists.
Both We're at their best. and their
speeches were strong and eloquent. At
$50 p. NJ. the hearing was concluded.
and the committee laid the matter on
the table to be settled later in eXecu-
tive session.