The Portland daily press., 1899-09-05

Ia the different sections. In connection
with his taking Of the school ceneua A
motion was made later on. that the
Mayor and two Aldermen he an advisory
committee, TO assist OF confer with Mr..
Kaler In this work. It seems to me that
this was a fair proposition, even IL suoh
committee was TO draw the lines, and
submit their report to this Board for con-
alteration. But this proposition created
such CONSERVATION among the majority
here, that the question was Immediately
asked, and before the vote was taken on
or not this was ito be committee on
ward lines TO draw the same, or whether
IL was TO be sim ply a committe to advise
with Mr.. kaler. When IL was stated that
this was not to be y committee TO draw
ward lines, the motion was allowed to
pass. Later the motion was made that
The committee on ward lines consist of
the seven Aldermen. This motion W as
passed; and this motion barred from the
committee ON ward lines. the Mayor, who
was elected and was ON both tickets In the
election which created this Board. THIS,
to my mind, Is the first evidence Of this
job.
/. believe 1t is conceded by all, at least
by all with whom have talked, that the
natural dividing line between wards six
and seven, Is the railroad. But does this
committee select this natural dividing
line? No. They deviate from IL sun.
cientlyt TO cut Thomas u. HaskeIlIand NJ.
b. Fuller and other Republ leans out Of
ward seven. Whyf Probably tecause
they were afraid of them. They wished
to Insure ward seven as Democratic. In
a recent discussion, q member kof this
majority said; MANY Democrats would
vote for Tom HASKELL" This Is undoubt-
eddy true; and they feared and, probably
With good reason, that II Mr.. Haskell
was allowed to remain In ward sever,
where he naturally belongs, the Republic
cans of that ward would nominate him;
and there would enough Democrats in
that ward vote for him to elect him.
Hence they removed and avoided tn at
danger by cutting him out of ward seven.
This. to my mind, WAS very bold thing
TO do; and it seems to me Is almost con-
elusive evidence of iobbery.
1 believe it's generally conceded that
the Town House Corner section is Demo-
cratic. And In order to create another
Democratic ward, thissmnjority has taken
this small bunch of voters, and by cutting
some out Of Pleasantdale, some more out
II kntghtville and some more out of Will
lard, they have secured about half enough
voters for a ward; and have so reported.
To my mind, your Honor and Gentle
men OF the Board, and IL seems to me II
must be so In the minds Of all, this his.
tory Of the matter clearly shows that this
proposed tdivisionyissaI right from start
to finish; and do NOT wish to appear to
be party to it.
The Constitutional right Of the Ameri.
can citizen Is representation In the gov
eminent. Our forefathers; fought the
Revolutionary War on aocounb of "taxa-
tlon without representation" And when
you place In two adjoining wards some
i15 or more voters more than are repre-
scented, you are abusing your power, and
ara fhnea ma aat
citizens the same offence Of "tnxation
without representation, to resent and
correct which our forefathers fought, bled
and died.
1t was quite obvious that Alderman
Spear would stir up some one so Alder.
man Soamman came to the defense OF
the majority report. He claimed the
inalienable right of every man to defend
himself from attack. He not only de.
Tended himself but Mr.. Kaler who took
the census and while Mr.. Kaler was a
true and tried Democrat the figures which
he had given had been verified by such
Republicans as Marcus A. Hanna and
Clarence II. Briggs. He detailed the cir.
oumstances. of the meeting Of the commit
tee and how 1t was proposed to run the
ward lines and denied that 1t was any
party job. He referred to party Of
about $50 voters inI South Portland vii
lage and touched upon their rights In
connection with those of the voters OF
Knightvilie and Willard. He could not
just zee where the "kick" could reson.
ably come from and intimated that in
dividing the town school districts had II
be considered.
Alderman Jordan evidently did mo-
like the political turn which had been
given to the question, for he was elected
on citizens ticket, aud although tn,
Pleasantdale and Iigonia lines involved
his interest somewhat he was no
afraid of "Fom Haskell" or "Mr Full
ler," and he needed no "gerrymander
ing" to hold bis own with them or wordi
to that effect.
Alderman Davis explained his vote and
denied the allegations of Alderman Spear
so after all by a vote of 8 to 2 the report
of the majority was accepted and placed
On file.
After this was dons Alderman Seam
man invited any suggestions which would
lead to a more equitable division OF the
city, and the council adjourned.