The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-05-01
SfCO LOC.iLS.

Enterprise De Soea-
There Is 10 city in New England which enjoys
No many natural advantages us ours, and none
which has hitherto male so little use Of them.
For years aud years, Saco has remained sta ! n
airy in wealth, business and population. Ii has
been an eddy in the current oflife, where, what
ever has come under its influence, has whirlcd
round and round q few times, then settled 10
the bottom. II seems as IL our people had
thought that when the factories were built, and
the saw-mills in operation, that Saco was I'm
ishcl. and nothing more was to Be done, but to
let II run its course through an ordinary life,
and sink into the grave Of oblivion. But should
IL be so! Let us look at our advantages. In
the first place there is no city in New England
more healthy or more pleasant 10 live In. There
u no one where man can live ~ chcaply, -
comfortably, and enjoy 10 many Of the luxuries
of life. Only four miles ffOm our centre OF bus
iness, we have the most magnificent beach o.
New England, ten miles In length, looking on
upon the broad Atlantic. aflorling unparalleled
facilities for boating. bathing and driving, resort.
ei to yearly by thousands from all sections o.
the country. ani destined TO grow in favor just
in proportion ms its advantages are made known
On the other side Of the river, but little farther
oil is the "POOl', famous summer resort, in
ferior To "Old 0rcharl'' only in its beach, and
superior in its facilities for fishing and cunning
For business, cur steamer and coasters give
us weekly communications with Boston, which
can he indefinitely increased, and bring and car
nv fright at prices which leaves nothing TO b
.iesircL by rail 20 reach Boston and Portland
three times day. AMI through these can have
communication with the whole world. Now,
with all these advantages, Why are we standing
still, Why do we allow our sister city To out
strip us, rs she is doing In the race for material
prosperity These questions, In future articles
we propose to answer. and To point out some Of
the means which may be usei, to cause our city
10 assume the position to which she sentitlei.
One obstacle, hitherto, TO the prosperity OF
our City has been the lack ofindiytlual interest
On the part Of our wealthy men. Instead OF in
yes,ing their surplus capital here, in enterprises
which would increase the growth and wealth OF
the city, enhance the value Of their own real g.
tate, aud attract capital anil business nom Other
pl.ces, they have too oflen, afraid OF taxes,
locked il up in stocks anl bonds and ships IN
other States, 80 that other places have reviewed
the benefits, TO which this was more justly enti-
ilel.
Another obstacle has been the old fogyisu
which has prevailed In the administration OF oui
municipal affairs. Hardly measure has ever
bcen proposed for the welfare Of the city thai
has not met with the most determined opposi-
lion. IL IL required the expenditure OF money,
Witness the fight that MAS made s-sinst the
building Of the City Hall. the niggarllineSs
with which our Fire Department has generally
bccn managed. and the amount OF engineering
required not long ago TO carry the purchase OF
a. .,frftn f IN 9Ql
omy has reigncl also, in the management OF our
schools. The result Is that you cannot find a
city of equal sire in New England that Is not
far ahcaa Of us in the matter Of schools and
school-housoS In tact. we have no sehcol-houses,
AMI partly ~ consequence, few schools that
are worthy Of the name Our Primary schools
arr bcst, AMI as the grale Rsccuis, the quality
dcs,cn,lS, in q geometrcal progression, whose
ratio il would hardly do 20 mention. Some Of
our school-houscs are deficient in appliances
which cgori common ieeency. All lack those
which concern tho health and comfort Of the
scholars Not one l. provided with proper ap-
p,ritus for heating AMI ventilation, and one, Al
least. j. ~ VIGOROUSLY detective. that loss 81
health anil probably Cf life may he laid to IL
charge. Ifany enc doubts this, le, him exam
inc the past AMI present condition AMI history OF
th. hou.e an Pleasant Street.
This Icing the ease, !, u to I've cSpectci thai 4
ia,n, with a family ct children Ia educate, will
remove to this city fiVm PCrtland, or Bath, or
hmgS,, 90 any Guy % ano'n.I S.a' Nv 49,, 49,"
l,ns,,;,, ri. .S;lIrsr !. , matter Of tbc
6rs, b,ro,,,ncc. anil no will no, no likely. for
that purpose, to 60 IN city from which its
own inhabitants are obliged to send their child
rcn away 10 school. but enough for the pres
at..ll a. At
Liberty feic.
Some years ago. the Niagara Engine Comps-
nv pu, up on the corner Of Min Street and
Quits Avenue a flagstaff more than one hun
.lrcl nnd sixty feet high. At that time it Wa