Digest of Arguments For and Against the Division of Milford, And Evidence Supporting the Same Mr. Spofford’s rule laid down in 1859, which is supposed to have guided the Legislature in the past in matters of town division, is found on page 6 of our evidence. It is not denied by the remonstrants that Hopedale has sufficient area, population, wealth and capability to manage municipal affairs. Statistics supporting this are found in Mr. Myrick’s arguments, and are not disputed by the other side. These show: First – That Hopedale has an area of 3547 acres, which is greater than that of 17 towns and 5 cities in the State, 13 of which have been incorporated since 1850. Second – that its population, estimated at 1000, will exceed that of 95 towns in the State. Third – The valuation of Hopedale, agreed to by both sides, is $769,346, which is greater than that of 133 towns in the State. Fourth – It is admitted that Hopedale is capable of managing its own affairs. No one attempts to deny this. Fifth – The vast majority of voters and poll tax payers in the proposed new town, favor or desire separation. The remonstrants, in evidence undertake to make it appear that a large share of property holders oppose division because non-resident owners of real estate divided by the town line have not signed the petition. Only residents have been asked to sign it; and if it be true that lower taxes will prevail in Hopedale, no one can doubt that the great mass of non-resident property owners would favor the division. BENEFITS TO HOPEDALE IN CASE OF DIVISION These are substantially conceded. They are strongly stated in evidence of George Draper, and admitted by witnesses on the other side. There is a natural dividing line between the two villages. There is evidence pro and con regarding this matter, but the statement of an unprejudiced commission should settle it. Hopedale has different business interests from Milford, so far as manufactures are concerned. This is in evidence and not disputed. Hopedale citizens are not accorded respectful hearing in Milford town meetings. THE INJURY TO MILFORD WILL NOT BE MATERIAL It will still be larger than 64 towns of the State in area; larger than 309 in population, and larger than 299 in valuation. It is said that taxes will be higher in Milford and lower in Hopedale. This may be true to a certain extent at the beginning. A fair statement of the probable taxation is found in the evidence of Wm. F. Draper. No detailed estimate is put in by the other side, though there is some loose talk about low rates in Hopedale. The extreme injury to Milford is put at $2.30 per thousand by their own witness, Mr. Field. Milford has city wants, including an extensive system of sewerage. This is nowhere denied in remonstrants’ evidence, but is substantiated by Judge Charles A. Dewey and Z.C. Field. The inhabitants of Hopedale prefer division to being made part of a small city. The circular of Milford remonstrants is official testimony in showing the desire of the citizens’ committee to organize a city government. The inhabitants of Hopedale desire division, among other reasons, to avoid that change in their local government. The inhabitants of Hopedale, from its peculiar origin, are a separate people. The article above was copied from a scrapbook of newspaper articles written in 1885 and 1886 when Hopedale was attempting to be divided from Milford. Neither the date nor the name of the paper were included, but it seems likely that it was in the Journal, the Milford paper that supported the division. |