The Portland daily press., 1864-02-06
PORTLAND, ME-. SATURDAY MORNING,

1t has been said that We have buildings here
owned by the State which must be abandoned
and we become the tenants of the city of Port
land. Suppose this were true. 1t involves no
expense to the State The buildings rendered to
us are on conditions making them as absolutely
the property of the State while occupied as
though owned in fee, while the present capitol
Will not pass from its possession, and will cost
no more to keep closed than occupied.
But there is a use to which this building can
be applied and be made of great advantage to
the State.
An act of Congress was passed July ., 1902,
providing for the establishment of colleges for
the promotion of Agriculture and the Mechanic
Arts, AMI granting land for support of same.
The conditions of this grant were that the State
should provide the necessary buildings within
five years from the passage of the act, and that
no more than ten per cent of the proceeds of the
lands should be paid for lands for experimental
farms; the balance to constitute a permanent
fund for the support of the college.
Suitable buildings for the use of this college
would cost the State fifty to seventy-five thou
sand dollars, and must to secure the grant be
provided within five years from the time ofthe
passage of the act. The number of acres coming
to Maine under this act is 2l0 900 and amount
ing at the government minimum price to S262,
500. If the State is obliged to provide new
buildings within SO short time and at SO large
an outlay, there is great danger that this valua
piS Dc lOsl Il VI tflt gNlitc
to make so large an appropriation for this par
pose at the present time.
The building we now occupy would be admira-
bly, adapted to the purpose of an Agricultural
College by making small outlay for alterations.
The location is in the center of an agricultural
region and all that could be desired for the pur-
pose--an outlay of $l2 900 would probably Sc
cure sufficient land for the purpose of an expert
mental farm which would leave quarter of
million of dollars as permanent fund for the
support of the college. This sum would un-
doubtedly be increased by endowments from pr-
vate munificence. This institution for the pro-
motion of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts -
if established according to the evident intent of
the law as an Independent insthution, would be
OF lncalculable advantage TO the interests of the
State, tending to develope its agricultural re-
sources and the mechanical genius of its people
and would be of vastly greater advantage to
the whole country around than any which could
be derived from the location of the seat of gov
ernment
Sir, have not introduced this Resolve without
fully comprehending the difficulties to be met
and overcome before it could be passed. For
although am well convinced that it expresses
the wishes of q very large majority of the peo-
pie of this State as has often been Indicated by
votes of this House as well as by the very gen.
eral expression of opinion, everywhere outside
of the immediate influence of this section, vet |
know full we'll the powerful influence which can
be brought TO bear to control the action of
members, to induce them to sacrifice their per-
sonal independence, and the interests of their
constituents by continuing the existing state of
things. And | do not for a moment suppose
that these influences will be allowed to lie dor
mant, but that they will be used with energy and
pertenacity.
But rely confidently upon the good faith of
those members frorh all parts of the State, who
have since the commencement of the session
urged action upon this matter of removal |
rely upon their frmness, honesty of purpose,
and manly independence, to stand up against
every appeal made to their sympathies, their
fears or supposed personal interests And
above all, rely upon the unanswerable argu-
mcnts that dlspassionate consideration of the
great interests involved in thsquestion will sug-
gest to every man, some Of which have hastily
and imperfectly proposed