The Portland daily press., 1871-11-09
The Need of POrilnnd-IOw is il 10 be


Portland needs more manufactures; that's
admitted by all classes. The enterprises al
ready established have been reasonably pros
porous, and it has been demonstrated that as
a center for the collection of raw materials
and distribution of manufactured goods this
city is as favoraby located as any in New
England. The manufactures now in opera
ton here have created and support popula-
tion of their own, and are source of wealth
to the community. The time has now come
when we demand a la"ge increase of these
enterprises TO consume the supplies which
are being and are to be brought to the city so
literally by our present and prospective
means of communication to retain our pres
ent population of skilled labor and add to it,
The rapidly growing West and the New Eng
land towns that have grown up by manufac-
lures are calling away mechanics; and every
one of this clase who removes from a town
reduces its population at least four and dim
inishes its production not less than thou
sand dollars. 1t is our duty not only to re-
tain this class with US, but to offer the young
men who are growing up inducements to re-
main at home; and moreover by Offering
work TO the idle prevent dissipation and
crime.
E Portland is now at her turning point for the
better OF worse. The decline of navigation
has affected her seriously, for until within a
few years we depended more largely on it
and the industries that it directly put in mo-
ton than anything else. We must act as an
individual does when one pursuit fails to be
remunerative, look for an opportunity in some
other branch and occupy it without delay.
The great need being admitted, the next
question is how best to supply it-whether by
corporate capital or individual effort fostered
and encouraged by the united sentiment of
the citizens. so far as any expression has
been made it has inclined to the latter meth
cd. We are not manufacturing people. AS
community we have studied other things
and we must invite hither with greater earn
estness the intelligent mechanics from
abroad aud aid and encourage our own young
workmen with small capital to build up for
themselves; and Portland and her immediate
surroundings offer better inducements for
manufactures than any other city in New
England. The facilities for transportation by
water and rail, in every direction are unex-
celed. Within six miles of us are abundant
and cheap water powers. We have within
our corporate limits hundred acres of vacant
land that can be purchased for manufacturing
purposes at a reasonable price. BY the intro
duction of Sebago water and our practical
nearness to the coal fields, steam is made as
cheap here as elsewhere; and it is not b .yond
the range of probability that ere long still
cheaper and equally effective agent will be Of
tered. The town of Deering, on the north,
and the front side of Cape Elizabeth opposite
our wharves, Offer sites for mechanic shops
within maximum distance of two miles
from the center of Portland, with low rates
of taxation and the advantages of near
market and the highest social privileges. And
SO far as the present manufacturing interests
are concerned, we know that their sentiments
on this subject are in harmony with the feel
ings OF all other classes, and they will approve
and aid in all proper measures adopted fer
the introduction of new branches of labor
There is full alphabet of industries that
require small capital and are suited to Port
land, and for the product of which we 90
abroad; articles which enter in some shape
into all of our present manufactures, or which
our merchants deal largely in; and the crea-
tion of which has made Rhode Island one
great workshop and given it enormous wealth.
For example, agricultural implements, small
iron work for carriage builders, saddlery
hardware, harnesses, brass, copper and tin
castings and ware, carriages, spice mills, cut
lery, combs, buttons, boxes of paper aud wood,
brooms and brushes; all kinds of small hard
ware, musical instruments, corlage and
twine, wire-work, all sorts of manufactures of
wood, and SO on to the end of the chapter
Some OF these establishments might be put in
operation the present season with compare
livery little expense. The shovel factory, the
old grist mill opposite the Portland, Saco and
Portsmouth railroad depot, the school house
on Centre street can be quickly and cheaply
turned into work shops; two of these having
already contained engines and machinery.
The Board of Trade, we are glad to notice,
have had the subject we are discussing under
and will appoint a permanent
Committee on Manufactures, composed of
practical mechanics, doubtless, aud business
men. We do not quite understand how their
1uties are to be performed, but naturally infer |
that they will collect all desirable informa-
lion upon the subject, meet those who come |
mere seeking opportunities, ascertain their
wishes, present them TO our business men and |
so render valuable aid. We have great faith |
IN the result. Our Board of Trade has oriai. |
mated and promoted many valuable enter. |
prises, and from its cooperative power is en- |
ibled to carry this as it has other undertake |
ngs to successful completion.