The Portland daily press., 1899-01-26

Deering. then asked Mr. Baxter some
questions TO show that the Portland tax
rate Is 81 ON a thousand. Mr.. Baxter was
asked II IL was not a fact that during the
last year of his administration it was
not necessary to borrow from the sink
ing fund. He was asked IL ore hundred
thousand dollars was not borrowed from
the sinking fund.
Mr. Baxter said he was not aware that
such "a sum was so borrowed.
You had good deal OF difficulty in
getting money, didn't your asked Mr..
Wilson.
az was not aware of it," said Mr.. liax'
ter.
''You found it necessary to borrow from
the sinking fund.-"
THAT seemed to be the best way. We
could have raised it in other ways"
Mir. Wilson asked some questions as TO
the expenditure In Portland, and learned
that in the last few years II had cost
the city large amount TO build n bridge
20 connect it with Portland. These
questions about expenditures were the
means of introducing Alderman Edgar
&c. Rounds to a Legislative audience.
II want to ask the gentleman few
questions" said Mr.. Rounds,
II trust" said Gov. Cleaves, THAT
the questions will DO asked by counsel
and not by any or all of this great audi
ence
''wen. exclaimed MIR Rounds, 81 am
a member of that city government which
has been called extravaganza, and want
TO ask If 500, 900 was not take1 from the
sinking fund and we've been putting
aside so Uo0 year trying to get 1t back
again.
Mr.. Rounds was permitted to ask his
question. Mr. Baxter said he was not
aware Of it.
Arguments were made at the evening
session. when the committee had gath
cred. Alderman Rounds said he would
ike to be heard. The chairman Informed
him that the committee regarded the
case as closed and would now listen to
the arguments. 1t was new experience
for the gentleman from the third Ward.
He generally makes speech When he
sets out to do so.
MIR. Wilson argued for the remonstrants
that petitions counted for little and the
matter should be submitted TO the peo-
rle.
Mr.. Spear made some comment OF the
manner of preparing the ballots In
Deering and the TACT that the remon-
STRANGE was endorsed as bearing ooo
names. when it contained only between
800 and 400. He submitted TO the com
mittee that it was not reasonable to sup.
pose the remonstrants had not made
every effort to get all the names they
could. He submitted that petitions such
as these submitted, were even of value
.s showing the wishes of the people.
The opponents admitted that the bill
was Just. Annexation SHOULD. come now
before the conditions have changed and
made new terms necessary.
Gov. Cleaves argued that the division
and union of town; WAC legislative
junction and not one which need be
submitted TO the people. He instancsd
many cases including the gettng off of
Deering from Westbrook. GOV. Cleaves
spoke of the rights of Portland. COM
mercial city which had made Deering
possible and which furnishes a market
for the products of the very people who
oppose annexation. In the oourse OF his
argument, Gov. Cleaves said. II am
not here to ans yer the slight destinations
which have been made against the hnan'
cial condition OF Portland. 1t Is true we
had Fourth of July celeb alton. 1t
was glorious one and celebrated the
most glorious victory in the history of
The American nav The Mayor of Deer
ing and his peops were at that oelebrH-
ton which was pail for without raising
she city debt
After the hearing Aldermap Rounds
said to an interested group Of law max
srs that the Legislature had ignored the
Portland Board OF Aide men.
Hon John W Deering was tic next
witness and tolc ths COMMITTEES that he
favored annexa alton and believed n major
Ity OF the people of Portland and Deering
favored it but think Portland will
have the heaviest part of the load, said
Nh. Deering. 1--WE already have a sort
II protecIorate over Desring and sucb
matters as police and FIRE protection could
easily be accorded the whole territory"
L. NJ. Cousens of the firm OF Milliken,
Cousens q Short, was the next speaker
and voiced the sentiment of the business
men Of Portland in favor of annexation.
Hon. L. b. Winslow of Portland pre-
sentsd q new feature OF the case when he
poined out that as Portland is now stu
ated, it cannot grow to any great extent
II It's business grows, the demand for
business buildings will force residents out
the city's already crowded territory. In
MIR. winslow's opinion, with its present
boundariea. Portland is never likely to
be a city with more than $1,000 inhabi
tants, Mr. Winslow said he did not ap-
prehend that any body. whatever his opin-
ion on the pending question, would object
TO Portland's growth yet Portland as at
psesent sieuated could not grow.
1afl h. -.