The Portland daily press., 1870-01-08
tsHo,nc manufactures !,

A cdhnun tlon appeared in q late num-
Der OF The fREsS over the familiar Initials IN.
ID, In which the writer was much interested,
and could but wish that the subject might
awaken an interest in our city commensurate
with its Importance. TWAS upon the "wealth
and general thrift that might be expected to
follow the establishment of various manufac-
tories'in our city," and alluded to the example
of Providence as a case in point. 1t is well
known that Providence has become very
wealthy lby its extensive manufactures and is
a complete beehive of industry and thrift
Other cities like Philadelphia and Worcester
are also making RAPID strides towards wealth
and giving employment and competence to a
| great number of people. The general swell to
do" appearance OF these cities and their people
| is very remarkable. Whilst the energetic and
| sagacious citizens of Portland are casting
about for resources to add to its business inter
ests, it is to be hoped that the establishment OF
numerous "home manufactures" may not DO
overlooked. Our city is admire AMY sltuateu Ioi
the prosecution of this branch OF lhuus.is.
i Its facilities for communication by sea anu
| land are unsurpassed, and tne gneas en.ei-
| prises now in course of CONSTRUCTION ~, ior coh-
| nection with the great w est VIII open mar
ket for all the proouo'ion' Which, oor shilied Ia
bor can produce.
The immense emigration which NAV be ex-
| pected to people the vast domain of the west
within the next decade, may well be taken in
| to consideration in this come ction. The pres
ent seems also fitting time to start enter
prises of this kind. The recent introd uction
OF pure water is an event of the first impOr-
| lance in its favor Improved machinery, adapt
ed to the manufacture of numberless articles
| OF use and ornament are to be obtained, and
also cheap motive power to drive them by
| the compact and effective steam engines now
in use. There is also more liberal and en-
couraging policy manifested in the communi-
| ty now than formerly, in regard to erecting
and running steam engines in the city. The
| writer, about Is years since, petitioned the
| city for a license to erect steam engine for
manufacturing purposes, and although it was
| only OF horse power, the boiler, plain CYL
inder, to be enclosed in brick walls, and the
chimney to be 80 feet high, still it was after
much delay and opposition that permission
the mayor himself voting against it, Happily
no such hostility would now be encountered
The engine in question has been running ever
since without complaint from any one.
The general depression in business, caused
mainly by the long and costly war which the
country has gone through, will undoubtedly
| be succeeded very soon by brisk and stirring
| times, and the country again be marching on
ward to wealth and prosperity. How much it
behooves our city to be prepared for such a
contingency!
| Ii was intended to allude to some of the
| many articles of commerce which might be
| produced here proftably, but the length of this
| article forbids it. A few of the raw materials,
the working of whi:h into articles of daily use
| may be mentioned, such as the different met
ais, and minerals wood, ivory, bone, fax,
| gutsa percha, &C., &c. The writer is unaccus-
toned to writing for the press, and consequent
| ly this communication is disconnected and
| otherwise very faulty, but he takes such an
| interest in the welfare of his beloved city, that
he hopes the Importance of the subject may
commend itself to the thoughtful consideration
of his fellow citizens. X.