Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-05-29


at various times and many changes made Of
county lines, a careful compilation OF the
statistics from all sources NJ command, gives
the result. above stated.
The loss OF population in Washington
county, and the small increase in Hancock,
Waldo. pisca,aqus and Aroostook counties,
are striking facts, especially as viewed in
contrast with the large gains IN Oxford,
Cumberland, and Androsciggin counties.
Heretofore. or prior 10 1915, the principal
increase Of population was in the eastern
part OF the State. More recently, itfollOws
the lines OF thcrailway, or is found IN the
shipbuilding districts OF the seabOard
With these fact, before ", the inquiry
naturally arises, What can b. done - de-
yclop- the resources and promote the growth
OF our population and wealth!
The answer suggests itself AZ once 20 every
intelligent mind OPEN up lines ot railway
"a the Lower Provinces. and into the region
Of our public lands. Build a line OF Rail.
way from Bangor 20 Calais, aud extend an-
other line a. Fl,h River, with branch 20
lluulton and Woodstock, and the history Of
Maine j. changed. The fertile valleys, ~
Ing m the basins Of the PenObscOt, the ~.
Crpix and 81 John, will Nc once attract
cmigranis, and the eastern portion OF the
State would retain the population which.
at present, it is constantly sending out ~
the new territories Of the West. The vast
public domain now lying unoccupicd and
neglected, would soon become valuable, and
instead Of our aiding the sale Oi lands on the
line of the Illinois Central Railway, our
population would remain with Us and occu-
nv our own territory. Manufacturing IN.
iustry follows the line Of the railway, and
the water power of the Penobscot. the II.
CroiN, aud the Aroostook will become rs
valuable n that Of the AndrOscoggn. The
entire st. John within our State, is the
limestone formation, capable OF producing
cereals. Its market u now at home. ON ac-
count Of the great cost Of transportation
and even this market is cut off when the
NUMBERING business is depressed. This ac-
counts for the present emigration from the
rich sOil and beautiful lands Of the ARGOS
took and the Alesash Open railway 70
Fish River. and the county Of ArOosiook
will be as denscly populated as the county
Of Kennebcc. -,
Without going into an examination OF
the various arguments which influence our
Judgment in this matter, We Deg iea'e ~
once to make the proposition that the state
take measures 20 open up these lands ior
settlement and sale. and give further en-
courir.ment 10 manufacturing. Iodo tins
/ in .uch a manner as to secure the greatest
nos.ible benefit % the people OF the Sta'e'
a., I.ri.Iature must take the initiative
The rublc lands are at this time OF but
u,tle pscuniary value, compared with their
Intrinsic worth while, by wise economy,
and A comprehensive State policy, they may
be made valuable rs source OF revenue, and
abundantly pay the expense OF opening them
tn reach thi. result, the State should
survey and locate the lines Of railway above
indicated and should loan its credit to a
moderate sum in aid Of their completion.
10 do this. we are aware, will require a
change in the Constitution Of the State, but
this. we believe, will be choeriully voted by
the people. We believe. too, that the sale
Of lands living in proximity to the proposed
lines Of railway, would bring a sum fully
adequate to discharge any liability the State
might thus incur.
The adjustment OF our border troubles by
the settlement Of the North eastern boundary
under the treaty Of Washington, was the
advent OF a new era TO Maine: and the
peaceful commercial intercourse which rap
Idly rprang up with our Provincial neigh.
bor's, suggested the plans which have re-
sultci in the accomplishment Of the Grand
international Railway connecting Canada
with the States of New England and the far
West. The completion Of this line isa vast
benefit TO Maine. hut it, extension across the
breadth of the state u sne lower British
Provinces, with line also TO the ArOostook,
!, required TO perfect our Railway system