The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-15

FROM MAlkE.
Augusta, Me-, Jan %, 1868. e
To the Edftor Of the woaxrxsnAs's ADvooArs.
My last left me at Bangor. am now at
the capital city Of the State Of Maine, aud
must say that these down Casters have cho-
sen most delightful spot whsrson 70 make
their laws. The city L. situated on the Ken
ebec river, so celebrated for its beautiful
scenery. 1t is navigable some distsnce be-
yond Augusta, up as far as Gardiner, and
there they have built dam to facilitate the
lumber business, which is very large in this
section Of country, and they like to serve it
up suitable for the market, which gives en-
ployment to great numbers Of men that at
this season Of the year would otherwise have
nothing to do.
Augusta is one Of those quiet old New
England towns (excuse the pun) that you
meet with in sycry section Of the New Eng.
land States. Ia the habits and manners 81
its people, it is like Vermont or New Hanp-
shire. The people generally are OF primitive
habits, and somewhat slow to move. partak
ing rather too much Of the stone habits Of
their nelghbors the Canadians. The State
House Is an unpretending structure, as most
OF the New England State Houses are. claim.
ing no architectural beauties.
The Legislature is just now in session.
and the chief topics that distract the minds
OF the members is the Liquor Law. The
maine question appears to be to drink or not
to drink. The people say they are determined
to have the State Constabulary done away
with and license law enacted. The Repub-
lican party are opposed to opening the liquor
traffic; bat then and there is always but,
(what pity it is workingmen don't know
that and act upon it'd thef wish to elect the
next President, and they fear If they d. not
repeal the present law, Maine is lost to the
party at the next election. So you see il Is
a very pretty quarrel as it stands; but there
is but little doubt Of their repeating the law
or twenty others if it stood 10 the way Of
party. They will do as all other parties have
done, sacrifice any principle to carry their
point, no matter how drunken OF demoralized
the people become. They cannot afford 10
demoralize the party. "Drnk, Boys, Drink,
and keep US IN Office" is to be the battle
cry. Where is nov the consistency Of tLt Ne
men, who only one short year ago sal d that
whisky was the ruin OF the country. and now
to catch few votes they deliberately undo
all they have ever done Yes, in the midst
If ell this ha
their caps and shout, F" am q Republican. /"
whilst his next door neighbor bawls as lus-
nly am Democrat" Amid all this dio
and turmoil the poor, down-trodden son OF
toll has to hide his head 10 shame. Exclaim-
ing rs did Rienza in old Rome, "Such ia the
lightness OF men,"
The next thing that has occupied their
minds is nominating Ehe maa OF smoke for
President. They are afraid down here 10
touch their friend s. p. Chase, he ia rather
too str, ug Tor them. | made diligent iusuirv
to kno~ what (if any acts) they were PASS
ing for the benefit OF the laborers; If they
had any intention of putting even a Ten
Hour law through for their factories but On
this point | could gain no information *.
cept the old one, that supply aud demand
regulated all matters In relation to labor ana
the Legislature have nothing to do with il
So fear the workingman stands bat a poor
chance in the State Of Maine. There Is One
thing, however, in their favor, but fex.-o
there to find employment, and tlose that ars
there down in this section at least, will oplv
be too glad to leave it.
But had nearly forgotten to say that
Augusta is quite business place. IL has
two or three good hotels, fine CITY Hall.
and quite large number Of excellent stores
The business part Of the CITY runs paralIel
with the river then on the side hill back
Of you 10 the railroad depot, rising again 20
some 2iO feet up q steep embankment. The
residences are situated very similar to Prov
idence, II. Il As you stand on the bridge
and look nj the city, II ID spread out before
you nAe$a landscape, the eve being able 10
'AAs Ia MI the houses NJ they rice tier ATE,
usi' Pat when you have climbed up oa the
NH, Which is asomewhat difficult task ia hi,
"estner OF snow and ice, you can look over
an mnaense extent Of country, and see rnoun-
s'us rising all around, with the Whine
MOUNTAINS in the distance. Mount Washing
lngsca can be seen quite plain on . clear
DAY.
The kenebec railroad has its workshops
here, employing quite . number Of hands /:
but could hear nothing Of any Associations
OF labor, so that | conclude al are ham
and perfectly satisfied with their lot. or else
they never heard that there 10 such A thing
as Labor Reform party but no doubt il
Will one day penetrate even the thick pine
forests OF the State Of Maine, and that il NAV
- she wish OF A WASDERER.