Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-02
NO. So.
Remarks Of Mr.. Bliss Of Washington.

Lime. Act, for the majority report, reporting
fought not to pass"
Mr.. SPEAKER:
In calling attention of the House again to
the matter of the Cobb Lime Co., do so for
the purpose of expressing the views and wishes
of large number of remonstrants to the
measure and for personal vindcation Of my
position, which l am compelled to do.
My views were expressed briefly before,
when the question was before the House at
the time we were called upon to accept the
bill granting the charter.
1t is well known that few days later, one
OF Knox County's worthy and respectable sons
came here in the midst of our deliberation
and as my friend Rawson Of Waldoboro'
would say, ''ploughed" through an arnenda-
tory act, requiring fifteen days notice to be
given before the Company could organize,
instead OF i've, as the charter had it, stating
in explicit and general terms that the people
desired repeal Of the law granting the char
ter, and the fifteen days would give them
time to obtain and furnish to us remonstrances.
He left, informing me, that he should be
back in day or two. In very short time
petitions began to pour in, asking that the
| charter be repealed. l waited and watched
and looked for the arrival of the distinguished
gentleman, as much so, as any anxious and
loving wife would the return of her chosen
husband, but my search was unavailing. l
began to fear that the gentleman was either
on the i'll fated train which rushed head long
and destructively recently on the Hudson
River Railroad, or else was on board Of the
Steamer Tennessee, about which SO many
have had anxious forebodings, until receiy-
ed a telegram from him announcing his with
drawal of has opposition to the Cobb Lime
Co.. and that he would explain; but even
that did not retard or prevent the sending and
receipt Of petitions, for they came in thick
and fast, showing that others had not with
drawn their opposition if he had. When l
received his telegram l was so completely
and overwhelmingly astonshed at his extra
ordinary withdrawal, that was forced to re-
ply to it by telegraph, informing him that he
was fzzle, that he might explain and be
Sold 1t was by him and others represent
ed when signers were obtained that / was
looking after the matter for them and would
continue TO do so. For the last part, am
obliged to them, as it is fit and truthful
representation of my constancy.
The bill to repeal the act incorporating the
company was presented in the Senate by the
Hon. Senator from Waldo, (Mr. Smart) and
referred to the Judiciary. No one appeared for
the repeal except the long list of honorable men
whose names were afixedt to the petitions. They
were met by the Mayor Of Rockland, Mr.
Cobb and other interested gentlemen, all
greedy and clamorous that the charter should
stand. to enable them to stuff fuller their
already well filled pockets and such spec
tacle as was in the committee room exhibited
l hope may never be permitted to witness
| and hear again.
! The most infamous and glaring insults were
heaped upon the opposers of the charter by
Mr.. Kimball of Rockland, showing a most
reckless and utter want of taste. Ny oppo
sition is genuine, it might not have been had
l done what had the opportunity to do.
Those of the committee who were present
voted not to disturb the charter, excepting
myself, and have submitted to this House
minority report recommending the repeal of
the act granting the charter.
For any gentleman of this House, or out of
it, to state here or elsewhere, that any consid-
able portion of the people of Rockland favor
| this company, states what he has not convinced
me, and to use no harsher language states, if
| he lives in Rockland a year longer, will find out
to be incorrect himself, providing he does not
already know it. The gentleman from Rock
land, (Mr. Bird,) has informed this House
that no opposition exists there, and in a very
undignified manner, upon the floor of this
House, accused me of certain improprieties in
my statements.
Time proveth all things, and it has demon
ticular to be unreservedly incorrect. Not only
have we now a long list of petitioners asking
for the repeal, but the Free Press, republi-
can newspaper printed in Rockland, in two
distinct and separate articles most decidedly
takes grounds in open hostility to this com
pany. Then the Gazette in a communicated
article probably written by some one in the
interest of the company, thought possibly it
might not be so dangerous an experiment as
some have pictured. Bnt even the Gazette
with all its interest on the side of this compa-
ny, does not say but that it may work injuri-
ously to the interests of the city of Rockland.
And now, Mr.. Speaker, if we only knew what
was concealed within the breasts of the people
of Rockland, we would hesitate before we al
low this company to have any lawful existence
by force of our action.
One of the Representatives from Rockland
is of the proposed company-one OF the cor
porators, and in his efforts will be sustained
| by the immense wealth and such political in
fiuence as his associates can bring to bear.
| Without casting any imputation upon his col
league in the House from Rockland, / may
say that he is prompted by his present interes t
| of his prosperous private business, to let a
great wrong be committed towards the major
| ity of his constituents. If he proves worthy
of his trust, it requires no ordinary courage
to face the power of the petitioners for this ex-
traordinary charter. Those who are quaking
with dread of the consequences of the combi-
nation, shrink from being known as active op-
posers of its wishes. This goes to show the
danger Of giving it chartered rights beyond
what previous legislatures have provided for
in general statute.
The gentlemen named in the corporation,
the last year manufactured seventy-five per
cent of all the lime made in the city, and en-
ployed one-titth of the population of Rock
| land.
| In consideration of an arrangement to unite
their interests, to control the markets, they
have purchased many quarries, kilns and
wharves in few months, for the purpose of
obtaining exclusive exercise of the business,
and then to grasp full control of all the mar
kets, thereby enabling themselves to enrich
themselves to the damage of others.
Men who foresee and dread the paralyzing
influence of this institution dare not Lift
voice or a finger in opposition. Real estate
will depreciate in value at the prospect. Al
ready men of Rockland see it, Had set my
prosperity above that of the people at large
| should not have raised my voice against the
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