Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-15
Correspondence.
MANUFACTURING.
TO the Editor Of the Kenne5ec Journal:

BosroN, Feb. 10, 1870
We are all agreed that what Maine needs is
not SO much population as capital. With q
view to attract capital we are now making
known our extraordinary natural facilities
for manufacturing. This was the first step.
But much remains to be done. ! am fully
convinced that the State should lead off in the
further work.
For the last three months have been
brought into very frequent contact with man
ufacturers in Massachusetts, and other States
Almost the drst thing one discovers in con-
versing with these men is their deep sense,
born of observation and long experience, of
the immense benefit conferred to any place
by judiciously investing manufacturing capi-
tai in it. Correlative to this is the conviction
that to secure the investment of capital there
in, towns or States should be willing to make
liberal advances. They feel that municipal
tiles, or their citizens, should meet the capi-
talist half way. In fact little capital now
finds investment in untried localities that is
not met half way. In the future still less
will be. There will be no exception in favor
of Maine. 1t is not enough that we show
them unequalled motive power. Power is
not all. Sites are to be purchased, dams and
canals constructed, buildings erected, ma
chinery procured, stock and supplies laid in,
skilled labor secured, aud this costs ready
MONEY. For investment upon much inferior
privileges in the old manufacturing States
capital can be had in abundance in the imme-
diate localities from interested property-hold-
ers. The manufacturer joins his money with
theirs and the enterprise goes forward. We
must do the same. We shall have to wait in
definitely unless we do the same.
! Men born and reared or at least trained in
business, in other States, would rather live
there; they will remain there unless tempted
out of them. There is natural inertia to be
overcome. There is unfrendy legislation
also to be counteracted, of those States that
tax the capital of their citizens wherever in
vested.
Now there are several towns in Maine pos
sessed of immense water power that are al
most ready to aid handsomely in their devel-
opment. They need only courageous lead
ing-of. Let the State then lead off. Let
$4,000 be appropriated, to be joined with the
appropriation of any town that will do the
most, the joint sum to be used under COM
mission serving gratuitously, and under the
direction of the Governor and Council, to in
duce the location of $500, 900 upon the water
power of the town, within given time, un-
der suitable conditions, and with ample Sc
curities against loss. If no town comes to
the mark, let the money revert to the treas
ury. Let this be done this year for one town.
If it promises well let it be done another year
for another. This may be heroic practice,
but the emergency demands heroic practice.
How about Augusta?" says one. Angus
ia, with her changed prospects, is worth
million dollars more than she would be but
for the Sprague purchase. Already she has
her money back and three hundred per cent.
added. The Spragues have done everything
that could in reason be looked for, while the
business of the country has been subsiding
from the fever of the war. Manufactures,
know, are languishing, but only for time.
The population of the country is increasing
one and quarter millions year. In 1850
there were invested on the water declivities
of the country $780, 900, yielding pro-
duct of S72O, ,6O0,0 900; in 1860 the investment
was S6S6,00 900, the product 81 ,260, 900, 900;
by 1876 the investment will be 81, 100, ,0OO,-
900, the product $4,000, ,000,00 We ought
to have Sl20,OOO,OO0 of the capital laid down
upon our waters, employing 200, 600 opera
tives, and producing S200,000,O0O in value
per annum. We cannot do too much. 1,50O,-
900 square miles of productive, national do
main look to the East for the grand staples of
manufactured goods. The demands of the
interior for manufactures will outstrip US, do
what we may. Will not some patriotic and
courageous legislator move to-day, and all
join hands for long pull, a strong pull, and
pull altogether! WALTER WELLS.