Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-01-08

I
! superintendent now has IN preparation
The railroad enterprises in the State are nov
| pushing on with yigor. hut stall under dsadvan-
tage. have before ventnresi the opinion thai
| the burdens which the towns were taking upon
| themselves TO secure the building of railroad.
might be found too much for them. Consider
Zoo that while these loans drain ~ heavily upon
home capital, the bonds are then sold At a ruin.
! Gus sacrifice When n town pledges all It's avSiI-
| able means. and then is discounted by 70 per
cent, II seems 10 me not au advantageous way TO
| carry ON n public enterprise. Pardon me IL I
| weary you with repeating that il would seem
better that the State should give her endorsement
to such enterprises Is she deetns vital 10 her adj
yaneemeni, providing by ample restrictions
against the abuse OF the CONCESSION, and securing
herself BY lien mortgage against the actual
payment % dollar ON either interest or prinei-
pal. There Il no railroad in this State which
would not pay well upon $4,000 a mile. Sup
Pose the State should endorse the bonds Of road
to that extent, taking proper security for the
payment OF both interest and principal from the
earnings Of the road. The result would be- 1
think, that the bonds would be negotiated at par
or nearly 50, and outside the State, which is the
same thing As bringing capital In. Home capital
would be left for investment ia active enterprises
Instead OF adding a burden 10 the people IL would
actually relieve them. In my opinion this would
DO safer, less expensive. and more effective than
than our present system, and better than grants
Of public lands.
What shall We do for our Aroostook road for
example. where We cannot expect nor allow towns
To take the burden on them How can we Justly
leave Washington and Hancock counties 10 cut
Their way through difficult country by their
own unsided strength, Or Why should n single
city AID its neigh0oring towns assume a task
which Is really FOR the benefit Of the whole State
do not pretend to be able 10 present a plan
to- IL
the matter 10 your better Judgment aud skill
Since our shipping interests have 80 much de-
csinet We are not reaping the full advantages
IRON our wonderful coast; but there is one way
IA which We may partly repair the evil; that is
by opening railroads 20 the sea- Bring hither
the products Of our rich helds and busy factories
the treasures OF the North aud boundless hAr-
vests OF the West--Inake our deep harbors the
business outlets of the great lakes-the ocean
terminus OF the mighty pathways which traverse
hAA the continents bring hiIher also foreign
ships T. exchange here the products Of distant
lands, aud you will thus make Us not only more
prosperous IN wealth, but in that higher culture
which comes from contact with older civilizations
and the broad recognition Of other interests, and
other men than those within our own borders
There may be no more than a single port upon
our shore at which all this eau be achieved. but
this will be q vital centre which will send life
through all the State.
There - great need Of revision of the stat
utcs, ana suggest that you make provision for
this at the present session.
Ny attention has been drawn TO resolution
introduced NJ the last session providing for BIZ
ennial elections Of State officers and sessions ot
the Legislature. II strikes me as worthy Of con-
sideration. The people are overtaxed and over
ourdened with elections. This weight i felt
more a. business interest are more active, and
the demands for the products Of industry are
multiplied. The respect Tor law and its officers
Is lessensd by frequent changes The excite
nent and disorder Of political campaigns /. de-
inorahEing In is effects. \ change to "A BIENNIAL
system would be vast saving directly and in
directly. We should be more prudent in our
legislation and in our expenditure The 6nsn.
cal consideration Is strong one. The year
1910 would be a favorable time to inaugurate n
new system. commend the matter TO your
further attention.
have heretofore remarked upon the desira
Oeness OF encouraging scandinavian immigra-
ton My conviction is strengthened that il
would be greatly 70 our advantage 20 induce
colonies Of these hardy, frugal and industrious
people to settle IN this State. | deem the sub
Ject Of sufficient Importance TO recommend that
you appoint committee 10 investigate II, and il
they hni the project desirable 10 report some
feasible plan.
whatever we 10 to encourage other activities
VIC must never fail TO recognize the vital i'm
portance Of Agriculture. | am happy 10 OBJ
serve that increased attention has been given the
past year 20 raising wheat. Our farmers seem
to he inspired with new hope and vigor II any
thing ean be done by us 90 encourage the spirit
Of enterprise IN this direction our aid must not
be tcniei. Although the soil Of the State gene
rally may be better fitted for dairy and stock
produce stlil soils are not wanting here that are
emnenty adapted 10 grain. Skill too will open
hidden veins OF wealth, and mind mould matter
AZ !ts will Nor - our climate 80 rigorous a. 10
dt courage agriculture The natural vegetation
OF the southern portions Of AroOstook county.
compares fayOrabiy with that Of Massac husetts
have been struck with the merits Of paper
IN the forthcoming report Of the Board of Agr-
culture ia which are shown with much force the
ruinous results Of the destruction Of our forests
The subject does not admit Of legislation, that
am aware Of, but It is well for those who have
the public interest ia charge TO bear this matter
IN mind.
The natural advantages Of this portion of the
country which struck the early visitors 10 the
continent were passed over by the accidents Of
colonization or the force Of political causes In
the progress Of civilization these are now coming
to claim their true value and the State Is enter
ing upon course Of prosperity such as she never
saw before. IL viii take time 20 unfold fully the
material resources and set in motion all the aren
,ics which are to contribute to the glorious end
In the rekindIing spirit Of enterprise, In the
new courage which ~ beginning % attract and
bold our youth, and In the opening prospect Of
brighter times TOT our whole people, | cannot but
feel . peculiar aud atfecti0nate interest, And
may venture here 70 express the hope that those
Who are 20 come after us will not suffer the work
10 Gag which was only inaugurated by bold nsa-
'ures after the State had lost lis proper place in
he race Of enterprise
trus, that the result II all our efforts will he
hat We can keep our young men and women At
bone and rear up generation Just and fearing
BOD. exemplifying in themselves the nohlest cul-
ure and dong good works 10 their fellow men.
rOyrIrYOY
! would fam liuzer On tbs theme; but aul
.luuuIsle.l that this greeting is aIs1 a f,r.veu