Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-08

of Maine. Shipping has been our glory, but
we shall look in vain for that prominence to
return. Causes. more powerful than any
within human control have turned the tide
from our shores. Still our power is in the
waters. We may lay hands upon their wild
career and ask of them a service and bless
ing ere they mingle with the sea. We must
foster this great interest which Is the hope OF
the State We must do it generously, yet Ju-
diciously. We have still to bear the sight of
our noble powers running wild, our rich mate
rails lying waste, waiting the magic touch of
mind and skill our abundant products sent
away. raw or rudely shaped, to receive their
chief value elsewhere. To export abundance
of raw material is thought by some to be great
prosperity; though the most that they receive
in payment is portion of the same material
finished into costly fabrics for thousand
uses by the skill of other hands. This may
do where civilization has not much advanced,
but does not seem a wise policy for State
which is mature and has abundant facilities
for manufacturing. Take for example one OF
our common trees, worth in the rude shape we
give it for the market, say twenty dollars. Now
set talent and skill at work upon it, fashion 1t
for all the fine uses and finish it to the high
perfection which sooner or later 1t would nave
found elsewhere-put 500 worth OF such
work upon it and you have made it worth
$500. You have done more. You have
gained the countless advantages of chcrshlng
the industry and skill-the talent and charac-
ter employed upon it, Garry this out on a
large scale and into all the fields of enterprise
that invite us on every side and you are doing
something for others as well as yourselves.
You encourage diversified industries and in
crease wealth. You lend helping hand to
humble toll and honest ambition. You quick
en- hope and pride and higher aspirations.
You carry life into deserts and happiness into
homes This somewhat more than fancy is
the right policy for State like Maine, with
her unparalleled advantages and her strong
sinews anxious and eager to be at work.
Then as to Railroads we are DONG all that
is possible More than $50 miles of new
road are now building in many directions,
wherever enterprise points. The great road
which connects with Halifax,-hence
already freighted with so many stirring hopes
of GOOD now lacks but about fifty miles OF
completion: to secure and hasten this, the
State has already made generous gifts, and
an effort is to be made to induce Congress 10
recognize the claim assigned to the road by
Maine and Massachusetts. We trust this
may be successful, and that the year may
witness the contamination.
In the west too we have openings which
are scarcely less, if not indeed more In their
promise of good. The courage and energy
of Portland in undertaking the task OF cut
ting her way through to the great lakes and
the greater West; forming thus link IN the
magnificent continental chain, has already
ensured victory Other efforts as worthy
can scarcely name here, but they also deserve
our interest and care.
The Railroad Commissioners make valua-
bic suggestions in their Report, which COM
mend to your attention. The feature OF I'M
L l. ha4n -
the proposed consolidation of prominent lines
in the State. If this means to place the pub
lie at the mercy of monopoly unrestrained
by responsibility to the State and relieved
from the checks of competition. | cannot
recommend it to your favor. But tins prob
ably is not the case The roads however,
have already the power to consolidate to all
practical intents, by lease. What they want |
understand is that the rights they already
severally have be unified and legalized so as
to economic their own efforts, and provide
better securities for their public obligations
1t is not the mere authority to fix times and
rates. That they already claim to have. |
do not believe, however, that they are indie
pendent of the State. Whatever their char
tiers may contain, | do not believe it is COM |
petent for a State to grant away her powers
over great public thoroughfares like these. 1t
is to cede away her fright of eminent domain.
These corporations took private property for
public uses. Have they no responsibility to |
that public for whose uses this property was
taken? 1t is the indefeasible duty of the State
to take care of herself, and of her citizens.
Everything is hers, if need be-our fortunes
and our lives. Shall railroads claim immu-
nitv? With this understanding, l need not
feel it necessary to oppose consolidation.
There are manifest advantages for the State
in it, lst, We may take the occasion if there
is any doubt to declare or reaffirm the ultimate
right of the State over the roads. I'd, The
public convenience may be thereby facilitated.
Sd, Better securities based on the whole prop
erty and franchise would be given in exchange
for old ones. ith, The wrangling which
railroads have INDUCED in before the legisla-
ture, and the political control which they have
sought, would be entirely at an end. 9Th, 1t
would be saving of money and strength.
These things | can see in favor of the meas
ure But leave the decision to your better
judgment.
The things we have been considering are
great matters. We must not let them drift
but seize them with strong hand and WELD
them for the common welfare. 1t is not
enough to call power into exercise; we must
be able to guide and control it, and shape 1t to
useful ends. We must be ready when the in
cubus is lifted from enterprise and the bolts
thrown DdcK from capltal 10 TeCtiNe tie l1HuA
of strength and population, that will surely
come, and to take part in the great reciprocities
of civilization which are as the tides of life
to nations.
Gentlemen, we have reached the fiftieth
year Of our existence as a State. We are not
ashamed of her history One of the earliest
in discovery and colonization, she is one OF
the latest in the development Of her resources,
and the fruits of civilization Yet all the OBJ
scure trial and toll that have interviewed
wrought for the times that were come. The
State sees her place and owns her duty; and
does not spurn the task that enfods the
triumph. The gates of Destiny are opened,
and she enters on her proud career. We
shall watch with admiring interest and help
with untiring toll her onward way Nor can
it be that we hope and prophecy in vain. Our
work may be obscure and the reward far oil;
but both will live. The early discoveries of
this territory foresaw the future and foretold
its glory. Then by reason of human weak