The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-04

With regard to the operations Of other pub
lie offices or institutions beg leave to refer
you to the reports Of the several officers in
charge.
For our contribution to the public institu-
tions out of the State in which We are interest
ed the usual appropriations are matter Oh
course.
The severe losses of some of our towns ~
fire should call forth every generous Impulse 10
aid them in recovering their position;, forI-
land is energetic in her efforts, ana WIN 90 on
with scarcely check in her PROUD career In
Wiscasset the means and the stimulus are not
SO great, but it is to be hoped that by some of
the improvements now proposed sne may yet
recover her former prosperity. t-4
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The high price of breaostuffs in our markets
ia a matter which interests every household. It
is well known that the chief reason of this is
the immense cost of TRANSFORMATION from the
grain fields of the West to the Atlantic shores
With view to facilitate this transportation
efforts are being made to open perfect water
communication between the Mississippi and
the Great Lakes The Fox and Wisconsin
rivers which flow in opposite directions have
their sources within a mile and half of each
other and are connected by a canal. AT certain
stages of water, boats of light draft have run
through from Lake Michigan to the Mssissip-
pi, but in ordinary times this cannot be done.
1t is new proposed to improve the navigation of
tHe w lSCOHSlu river 50 as TO make tnlS COM
municatiOn practicable and perfect. This i'm
prOvement will reduce the cost of grain fifteen
cents a bushel, and as it is estimated that not
less than 100,O00,O00 bushels of grain will seek
this outlet towards an eastern market, the effect
on the prices can readily be foreseen. 1t is
matter of great practical importance to us, as
well as benefit to the whole country; and
would respectfully recommend that you join
with the Legislatures of other States in memo
ralizing Congress on the subject of improving
the navigation of the Fox and Wisconsin riv-
ers. L have received a letter from the Cover
nor of Wisconsin with reference to this matter
which shall take pleasure in laying before
you.
A survey of the Kennebec and Penobscot
rivers with a view to their navigation has just
been completed by the Engineer Department
of the United States. The results of the sur
vey embrace matters of importance to the
State, especially with reference to the obstruc-
tions now forming in the narrOws Of the PEN
obscot, which may require your attention. The
official report of the survey will be produced
for your examination at the earliest moment.
beg leave in this connection to add another
suggestion in regard to bringing the eXtraOr-
binary resources of this State to the knowledge
Of tho public. Few of our citizens probably
are aware how abundant and accessible is the
water power of Maine Still less is this known
by capitalists abroad. 1t is highly important
that information in regard to our facilities for
manufacturing be widely spread We see what
has resulted from the policy of the Western
States in advertising their public lands. The
survey of the water declivities of this State, it
seems to me, would be one of the best public
measures we could adopt. Reports OF this,
carefully prepared and printed, sent out through
New England and the Middle States would
result in the investment of millions of foreign
capital on our hitherto neglected waters. I
would therefore respectfully recommend that q
thorough photographic survey be made of at
least the lower sections of our principal rivers
and that the very moderate appropriation re-
quiste for that purpose be made during the
present session.
MISCELLANEOUS. e....
The last Congress provided for National
Gallery of Art at the Capitol, and invited each
of the States to contribute two statutes of per-
sons eminent in their service. Several States
are taking measures accordingly and it may be
deemed eXpedient for us to take the subject
into consideration.
1t is perhaps known that there are in the
State-Paper offices of London and Paris i'm
portant documents relating to the early history
OF Maine. 1t is q matter OF interest to US to
have authentic copies of these procured to be
placed in our archives. The Historical Socie-
ty has small appropriation for this purpose to
which it may be desirable to add something to
ensure its success.
The suggestion has been made that the BUSH
ness of insurance has become SO extensive in
this State as to render the appointment of Com
missioners desirable for its proper regulation.
With this reference, leave the matter to your
better judgment.
The Metric or Decimal system of measures
now authorized by Congress is recommended
for adoption by the Secretary of the Board of
Agriculture and the Superintendent of chools.
The State OF Maine was one of the first to COM
mend this system to Congress- and in so doing
presented a strong argument for its adoption,
the force OF which it becomes her to recognize
in practice, and do what she can to diffuse the
benefits OF this improved method.
PROVINCIAL CONFEDERATION.
There is another subject which I desire to
bring to your notice. 1t is the scheme for the
consolidation of the British Provinces on orr
border, which L believe to have been along
with the French Empire of Mexico q part Of
the great conspiracy against Liberty on this
youthful continent This attempt to take adj
vantage of tie internal strife wlIioi, 90 onyar-
ed our energies, and to environ us with Mon
arches, was certainly not a scheme of those
who were friendly to our prosperity. 1t has
failed in its deep design; but the effort is now
being made in the British Parliament to effect
the consolidation of the Provinces. If it is
successful, the result cannot but be injurious
to US. The friends of this country in the Prov
inces are earnestly opposing the scheme. 1t is
a matter OF more concern to us than may ap-
pear at hrst sight, and cannot fail to press
the subject upon your attention, not doubting
that you will see occasion to make such remon-
STRANGE as You are able, and to secure the more
potent discussions ofthe United States Govern
ment. s-4-A --St --+- sa-' -f---e4
Passing from these miscellaneous topics
now invite your attention to subjects more
nearly concerning our internal prosperity
THE FUTURE OF MAINE &"
Is Nothing is more obvious than that Maine has
not developed her resources fast and far enough
to afford tield for the vigorous and enterpris-
ing spirit OF her sons, and hence they go forth
drawn by more inviting prospects abroad, and
al hrr1 l..f
soul which has been the vital impulse Of his
tory and has made the world what it is, The
world doubtless is gamer by this diffusion of
ENERGY and intelligence; but it is doubtful
whether the State can longer afford to be q
mere nursery for the missionaries of ciyiliza-
ton. 1t is serious matter to have five thOus-
and year in excess of the number we receive
from abroad, and Of the most valuable portion
OF our population, emigrate from the State
Yet study OF the last census returns will show
that this was the balance against us for each of
the previous ten years, and doubtless the pro-
portion is even greater since the war,
And yet Maine is a State of magnificent re
sources. Her three thousand miles OF sea
coast, her millions of acres of forests primeval
and renascent, the quarries and ores of her
hills, her fertile valleys and broad pastures of
hitherto-untried capacity, the measureless
power of her inland waters covering one-tenth
of her wide domains; these, to say nothing of
geographical position, holding the frontage of
the continent with more than the famed
control of the outlets of the Mississippi, make
Maine a field where great things should be, and
yet will be wrought. Maine is comparatively
new ground and should attract rather than
repel civilization. But it presents the anomaly
of sending forth an emigration such as might
be expected only in old Over-worn and over
pOpui ated countries, and those where political
or social despotismS depress and dispense their
citizens. This is an evil so contrary to the
common course of society and the laws of civ
ilizatiOO that We lnnl into &c
it and if possible apply REMEDY
The crisis is now favorable. The high duties
laid upon foreign productions as necessity of
revenue for the payment of the interest on our
National debt, will tend directly and for wears
to come, to encourage home industry and the
development OF our natural resources. The
Internal Revenue System will be forced to such
a modification as to tax profits only and not to
cripple capital, and give new impulse to en-
terprlse In comparison with the advantages
which will ultimately accrue from this state
OF things, even SO enormous public debt as
ours will be scarcely worth thought. And
now is the moment, when surplus capital
abroad is seeking locations for profitable in
yestment, when thousands of our young men
have come home and are considering the sub
ject OF business and settlement for life, and
when the friends of Maine must take large
views, and spare no pains nor reasonable ex-
pense to bring before the minds OF enterprise
ing and far-seeing men the superior and ex-
traordInary advantages she presents, and in
augurate, if possible, new era for the State
The numbering operations of this State con-
stitute an important feature of its activities
This business during the past year has been ex-
ceedingly large and has yielded unusual re-
turns. r-.
The branch of industry for which Maine has
been hitherto most distinguished is that of
ship-building. With a population of half
million she has for years furnished a third part