The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-13

Seat of Government TO Portland being under
consideration, Mr.. GOODWIN spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr.. SPEAKER: Coming from a section OF
the State in favor OF the removal OF the seat OF
government to Portland, whatever remarks
may submit will be rather as the representa-
tive of the views of the people of that portion
of the State, than as personal advocate of the
measure.
have no individual or personal interest in
the question, aside from that common to ev-
cry citizen. either on the one side or the other.
| am no politician, have no political interests
To advance, nor do | expect again to occupy
seat in the Legislature.
propose first to notice some of the obiec-
tions that have been offered by the opponents
of the measure to influence the action of the
House. 1t does not appear to me that gen.
tlemen have addressed themselves to the can
dor and reason of members, in their opposition
to the resolution, but rather to their local
prejudices, and in the warmth of debate have
Travelled, too often, outside of the question I'M
der consideration to indulge in personalities.
One of the objections of the gentleman from
Bangor to the removal was the expense that
would attend it, His fertile imagination at
once swelleth figures to half million of dol
lars for the expense of removing the State Lii
v.
and other personal property that it might be
thought necessary to remove
To this most extrayagant assertion it is suf-
icient to refer to the reply of the gentleman
from Portland, who offered to guarantee the
payment of all this expense for the sum of five
hundred dollars.
Much has also been said of the dignity of the
sovereign State of Maine, of its wounded dig
nifty in thus going, humble suppliant, lit is
asa1 har, I.,.;c.
its Hall free Of expense. L must confess that
[ am Of too practical nature to see in what
this wounded dignity of the sovereignty OF the
State consists.
The State presented no pc tition-it makes
no request. The question OF the removal of
the seat of government has been the subject of
agitation for many years. 1t is again up for
discussion and consideration before this Legis-
lature.
Portland voluntarily and generously tenders
the State buildingeadapted to its use aud in
every respect suitable and convenient for
Capitol; and this free Of expense. 1t is sim
ply question whether it is for the interest
and good of the people to accept this generous
offer.
fit is for the interest of the State to make
the removal of its seat of government, the fact
that it is done without cost or expense to the
people, will not think, in their view of it, be
regarded as humiliation, at least not one that
they will be unwilling to bear.
The gentleman from Bangor has dwelt upon
the loss we shall sustain in the abandonment
Of the noble grounds about the Capitol build
ing by the removal to Portland. lie has pic
tured to US, in the exuberance of his fancy and
the patriotic ardor Of his imagination, the con-
dition in which, he trusts, he shall, ere long,
behold them covered with the splendid mau-
soeums and marble monuments of the hon.
ored dead, the brave and heroic defenders of
our country and noble sons of Maine, who
shall have fallen on the field of battle. He
carried us, in imagination, back to the classic
times of Greece and Rome, and caused to pass
in review before our wondering eyes the beauty
aud glory of Athens and of the Eternal City.
He has imagined the influence and inspiration
that will fill the minds OF future members who
shall assemble here, when they shall look out
from these windows upon all these classic and
noble monuments.
This was all very well and very beautiful,
but it occurred to me there was one thing
which should be added, 10 complete the pic
ture.
Ishould hope that when all this has been
done and these grounds have been thus beau
titled; that when,future legislators shall as
semble in this Hall, as they enter its doors,
their eyes may fall upon the marble and sculp
tured form of my eloquent and genial friend
from Bangor, elevated to a lofty niche over
the Speakers chair, with some appropriate in
scription, which, after a somewhat Roman
style, would suggest might read thus"iu-
guSte. Cdpitis Hdinensis Salcdtor,A. ID. 1854"
But the gentleman seems to have forgotten,
and even rudely spoiled, all of this classic
picture, and the argument from the tombs of
his military heroes, when in a subsequent part
of his speech he announces that eastward
1.-THE star OF empire takes its way" and that
in the course OF ten years Bangor will have
become the rightfnl claimant of the honors of
the seat OF government, and that it will doubt
less ere long be removed thither.
Another objection is, that the people have
not moved in the matter. No petitions Iii is
said have been sent in from the people. But
this is no new question. For the last twelve
or fifteen years it has been talked about all
over the State. For nearly every winter dur
ing that time il has been up for discussion and
action in the Legislature. The opinion of
the people in every part of The State is not
unknown 10 the Representatives here, al
though my friend from Gardiner. living few
miles down the river, tells us that he did not
know the views of his constituents, and that
he went home and consulted them, and tmuch
to his surprise, doubtless) found not u man in
favor OF removal. He, however, pays a COM
pliment, in passing, to Portland, when he tells
a.
one in which, if he was to be born again, he
should select for that purpose. Now, although
have too good an opinion of my friend TO
believe that his case his Hopeless, even in the
community in which he resides, have no
doubt that il he should place himself under
the excellent moral and religious influences of
Portland that erent might soon follow.
Members are also warned that this resoln-
ton, ii carried, will cast dsorganizing ele-
ment into party politics and into the elections
OF another year. 1t cannot be that any intel
ligent and sensible man will be influenced by
considerations of this nature. 1t is COM
mon and stale trick to excite the fears and
awaken the party jealousy of weak minds.
But, Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the
House. the true question is, whether il is for
t6e general good of the people of this State
to remove the seat OF government from Au-
gusta to Portland.
1t is "a question not so much for elaborate
argument as for the good sense and practical
judgment OF men TO pass upon.
Is Portland better place in which TO es-
tablsh the seat Of government at this time,
than Augusta?
In this inquiry we should consider its posi-
ton and its condition and status relative to
all other parts of the State, both as they now
are and will be in the future.
Portland is, to a certain degree, the center
OF the Intellectual and moral activities of the
State. There, more than elsewhere, concen-
trate the currents of trade and business from
all parts of the State.
The principal railroads and steamboat lines
extending to the eastern, the interior and
western parts Of the State converge and ter
inmate in Portland. 1t is thus made point
where the people of the State can, with much
greater facility and in much larger numbers,