Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-06

plying its demands for home consumption
and exports the most of the products of it
industries.
While, therefore, / would cooperate ii
every measure tending to reduce the expense
of living and tighten the burdens of taxation
l earnestly hope no policy will be adopted
that will degrade American labor or lessen it
rewards.
RAILROADS,
The enterprise manifested by our people il
the construction of railroads evinces dispo
sition to appropriate the advantages which
nature has placed within our reach, and in
spires lively hope for the future of the State
From the Railroad Commissioners repor
it appears that 694 ga miles of railroad are
now 10 operation in the State, of which Il
have been built the past year, and that Their
are 186 miles under construction. TIT
Commissioners recommend more stringen
enactments for the prevention of accidents
1t is gratifying to learn from the report OF the
Commissioners that the Rrilroad companies
in the State are generally raising the charact
er of their respective roads to a higher level o
durability and safety.
The claim of this State and Massachusetts
against the general Government, which hat
been assigned for the benefit of the European
and North American Railway, has been al
lowed, and secures the early completion OF
that road. This will open direct Railroad
communication with ST. John, and by road
already built, with the Gulf of st. Lawrence,
and, at an early day, by line rapidly APP
preaching completion, with Halifax. We
shall then have continuous line of railway
extending the whole length of the continent
and connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans. The great thoroughfare between
Europe and the most Of the American CONT
nent and the Pacific coast will then be
through this State.
While this work has been going on in the
East an enterprise which originated in Port
land has been rapidly pushing its way west
ward, and will soon secure more direct COM
munication between that enterprising city
and the great grain growing States of the
West; and at no distant day by the Northern
Pacific Railroad to the Pacific ocean on the
coast of Oregon. These grand enterprises,
and several other roads of much local inn
portance that are being built, with the projec-
tion of others that are sure to be completed
at an early day, are the best evidences of a
determination to make our railroad system
equal to the demand Of the growing interests
of the State. Let this spirit be encouraged
and it will develope resources which would
otherwise remain useless. The unoccupied
farming lands in Aroostook county, with a
soil equal if not superior to that of any other
section of New England, are being settled
very slowly. This is because immigration
keeps pace with the iron rail, and will not in
any considerable numbers settle far beyond.
Build railroad to this fertile region, and
lands which cannot now be given away to
settlers will be eagerly sought after at fair
prices. And in few years that country
would contain a population and a tax-paying
capacity that, with the increased value of the
products Of the soil and forests would soon
pay the cost of the road and become a
source of wealth to the State. The impor-
lance of system of railway communication
that viii make accessible the timber and farm
ing lands and develope the other resources of
this section of the State has long been felt by
our wisest men. and frequently and forcibly
discussed by my predecessors. The European
and North American Railway so shortens the
length of new road necessary to make the
immense resources OF this part of the State
that we may well inquire whether
some practical means may not be devised to
accomplish work so desirable. | am coItDinc-
ed that the best way to reduce the burden of the
debt is to deyelope our resources, givethe
people better facilities to make money and
increase the taxable property of the State.
| have deemed it my duty to call attention to
this subject, and invoke the wisdom Of the
Legislature upon its consideration.
The men who have furnished the means to
build railroads in Maine have relied upon
the indirect advantages they in common with
others would receive rather than any direct
income from the investment. The interests
of the masses of the people and the stock
holders and managers of railroads are not
necessarily antagonistic, and it would be
great misfortune to the State if spirit of an
should spring up between them.
We should avoid railroad war in Maine if
possible.
Railroads are essential promoters of indi-
vidual prosperity and national progress; and
are entitled to every facility not inconsistent
with the public good. 1t would not be wise
for the State to grant unlimited powers, or
permit the consolidation of railroads or any
other corporations to an extent that would,
in any event, allow such consolidated inter-
ests to control the legislation of the State.
For in such event, every other interest might
be rendered snbservient, and all guarantees
useless.
for the rights of each, and the interests of all,
--AAt fAS'Shs Nhy SeiAoaS IA
this regard.
IMMIGRATION.
The Report of the Commissioner of Immi-
grafton presents an interesting account of the
work accomplished through his agency. A
colony of one hundred and two Swedish immi-
grants has been established on a township in
Aroostook county known as New Sweden. The
Commissioner is confident that this has opened
the way for large immigration of this hardy
and industrious race. These people evidently
possess the characteristics necessary for pio-
neer work in this State, and they will be a
valuable acquisition in the settlement of our
unoccupied lands. Such of these immigrants
as would prefer other pursuits, would fud,
in other parts of the State, desirable employ
ment and good compensation. Such labor
ers, male and female, are greatly needed, es-
pecially as household servants, for whom
there Is great demand.
Many of these people are excellent me-
chanics, others excel as family servants.
Their religion, education, general intelli-
gence and industrious habits, with our need
of their services, will create mutual friend
ship and sympathy between them and our
people wherever in the State they may CO. I
therefore suggest that whatever plan you
adopt to aid immigration in the future it be
not confined to immigrants who prefer