Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-20
MUNICIPAL AID TO MANUFACTURES
To the Editor of the Kenae6ec Journal:

To the Editor of the Keaae6ec Journal
The URGENCY OF THE CASE.
But not merely does prospective advantage
invite to the establishment Of manufactures
within our borders, an urgent economical
necessity compels. Consider the industrial
ton of our territory is still wilderness. Not
even the axe, much less the ploughshare, has
made acquaintance with it. 1t is undeveloped
domain. Yet though located so near the
most densely populated portions of the coun-
try, settlements do not materially extend.
The population of the State is stationary, and
but for manufactures would be rapidly falling
Off The increase in property is compare
lively small, and what there is, is due mainly
to manufactures. Shipbuilding never gave
employment to but few, and threatens now to
be of less consequence than ever. Lumber
ing is here, as everywhere, temporary &C.
cupation upon which no stable prosperity can
be built. The agriculture of the State, taken
as whole, is perhaps as fourishing as it can
be without the stimulus of local markets, and
but for such manufactures as we have would
recede in profit and the number of its vota-
ries. Meantime other portions of the coun-
try, those especially supplied with coal, are
making herculean exertions to add to their
other sources of wealth and power, that which
flows from diversified industries. Indiana
and Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin
are laying their hand to this work. We must
more now. Priority in establishment is of
enormous consequence, because associated
with prestige, with the formation and CON-
naand of markets, and tending to discourage
efforts elsewhere. We have much more at
stake than they, because our range of posi-
BILE employment, in the dearth of manufac-
lures, is far narrower than theirs.
1t is true, something has already been
done. The exemption from taxation permit
ted by law to manufactures is of great help,
serving to neutralize in part the advantage
had over us by the older and richer commune
ties adjacent. Our statutes relating to flow
age are likewise favorable. The State has
made some effort to make its facilities known
by means of the photographic Survey. But
more is needed to secure the rapid growth of
manufactures, and to forestall the risks and
enormous losses incident to their delay-as
will presently be more fully shown.
WHY MANUFAcTuREs NEED HELP.
If manufactures will be of great public adj
vantage, if they promise in virtue OF our IA
.vorable conditions to command large success,
why do they not get in motion OF themselves!
Why is it necessary to invoke State or NUM-
cipal aid in their behalf!
| To this it is replied first, even though our
natural advantages might of themselves ultl-
mately induce the investment OF capital in
manufactures, and for this purpose even draw
it in from beyond our limits, the extreme inn
portance that this be effected now, without
further delay, requires every instrumentality
! to be set in action. The west has not waited
for the natural attractions of her fertile soil
to draw in settlers, nor does Maine rely upon
natural advantages alone for the peopling of
| Aroostook We must work with all the forces
we can command.
Secondly, manufactures require capital for
their establishment, require workshops, ma
chinery, skilled labor, and cash on hand for
their prosecution. Now the property OF this
State is evenly distributed. 1t is not concen-
trated in large amounts in few hands. There
are few individuals pecuniarily able to set
manufactures in successful operation. Ac-
cordingly the money is not forthcoming.
Without it nothing can be done. Capital will
make business and hold business against
| heavy odds of natural advantages We want
to put down our own money in sufficient
amounts and under conditions so liberal, that
a beginning can be made and that the capital
of other States can be drawn in to help us.
This towns can afford to do. This they wish