Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-01-18
Correspondents.
Dismemberment of Hancock County.
HANCOCK, Jan. 16, 1911.

D1Sme m Defment OF hbuCOcA OOuuty'
HANCOCK, Jan. 16, 1911.
To the Editor of the American:
Almost simultaneously with the passing
of republican control, one of the results OF
the great democratic landslide in Hancock
county last September becomes apparent,
by the introd uction of q bill in the legis-
lature on Jan. II, by Mr.. Harmon, Of
stonington, to set OF the town of Isle au
Haut from Hancock county and annex it
to the county Of Knox; and as it appears
to be no secret that similar bill to set OF
the town of Stonington is soon TO follow,
it becomes a matter Of supreme import
lance to every citizen. 1t may be interest
ing to review what has been done about
this matter in the past, and what may be
expected in the present situation.
This measure first made its appearance
in the legislature OF 1903, but it at once
aroused so much opposition, and was so
decidedly unpopular, that when hearing
was advertised, no one appeared in its
favor, and although by rather question
able proceeding it was referred to the
next legislature, it then met with the
same reception and was quickly disposed
of.
Nothing further was done until in the
legislature two years ago a bill to set OF
the towns of Isle su Haut and Stonington
and annex them to the county of Knox
was presented by the same gentleman
M, ,,ax.- ,Dkradrcod this locf ynaoe.
ure, and it was at once found that it had
strong support, not only in the towns
interested, but from the people Of Knox
county, especially in the city Of Rockland
where the board of trade was agitating
the matter. At the Legislative hearing
that followed a representative from Rock
land was present to assure the committee
that the towns would have hearty well
come in their new home, and steps were
at once taken to meet the situation by
petitions OF remonstrance and arousing
public interest.
One loyal citizen of this county made a
trip to New York to secure the support of
the representatives Of the granite manu-
featuring interests in Stonington, who all,
representing more than q million dollars
Of property located in that town, united
in protest against the change. Besides
this, quite number of business men and
citizens OF Stonington, mostly republicans,
also signed remonstrance.
When the time came for the hearing be-
fore the committee on counties to which
the bill had been referred, although it was
ably supported by Mr.. Harmon and his
democratic friends, whose chief reason for
the change was the Inconvenience o! COM
ing to Ellsworth to attend court, it was
shown that in the case of Isle au Haul
there had not been q case tried in court
from that good town for more than
twenty years, and that when real estate
was transferred, if the change were made
a trip would have to be made to the shire
towns of both counties, first to trace the
records, and then to have the transfer re-
corded.
The same conditions OF course apply to
Stonington, from which, while it is more
convenient to go to Rockland than to
Ellsworth, the travelled way between the
two places is over continuous line of
State road, which is constantly being i'm
proved. There was also found to be
great misapprehension in regard to taxes
in the two counties, when the facts were
that there was very little difference, and if
it were not for the expense of liquor in
vestigation, which our friends in Knox
county do not find necessary, our tax rate
would be less than theirs.
II these towns could leave us because
Rockland was easier of access, the same
reason and with the same propriety could
be claimed for Deer Isle and Swans
Island, while representatives from Castine
and Bucksport gave notice that there
would probably be an attempt to have
those towns set of into Waldo and Penob-
scot counties respectively.
After reviewing this testimony the
was so plain to the committee
that in less than an hour after the hear
ing was closed an adverse report was
made by them, signed by every member.
The defeat Of this measure, therefore, be-
ing so complete and decisive, it was not
that it would be renewed again
Tor many years to come, if ever. 1t was SO
thoroughly disposed OF that it did not |
'eem as though there was any source from |
y hich it could catch one breath of life; |
but now it appears, strong and robust, at |
almost the organization OF the Legislature,
,ven getting one day ahead OF the long and |
'rdentiy hoped for bill for resubmission.
The reasons for this wonderful vitality |
ire not hard to find, as every person vi no |
appeared before the committee two years |
'go in the interest OF the county was
'laughtered without mercy at the polls |
asst September, SO far as they could be |
'eached, and all the others would have
|hared the same fate if there had been an |
opportunity; while the representative who |
Introduced the bill two years ago to COM
nence the dismem berment of our county, |
md who very ably championed it before |
he committee and elsewhere, has been