Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-07
4ailp Amnrbrf Sournl
AU q u Il A.
TUESDAY MORNING. November z, 1871
INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER Stats
TICS.

what the industry of the State proauces'
what is its gain or loss IN the means
of production, what is the cost OF labor
and living. whether we are advancing or
retrograding in the ways of industry and
wealth. There are also many other facts
which we as people should be well in
formed of every year of which we are ig-
norant. Every farmer, every intelligent
manufacturer and business man in the
State, keeps reliable statistics from year
to wear of his affairs. He notes improve
ments, losses, gains, results, and upon
them he lays his plans for the future.
Without them his business would be at
loose ends; with them he can see clearly
what has been accomplished and calculate
with certainty what may be in the future.
Now if it be necessary and profitable
for the individual to cast up his accounts,
balance his books, settle his affairs yearly,
mark his gains or losses. and the result of
his plans and labors in any direction, so
is it needful for the State, controlling and
carrying forward interests that concern all
the people to gather up and keep accurate
data relating to its industries and other
matters of equal public Importance. Many
States do it, and the reports which they
furnish are not only read with interest
and profit by their own people, but are
eagerly sought and read by people in
other States for the instruction which they
afford. Every State, however, has its
own particular industries to which it
should specially attend. No other State
will inform US of the crops raised in
Maine, factories built, increase Or decrease
of manufactures, shipbuilding, railroads,
granite, lime, lumber, and ice business, or
prices of labor and cost of living, or
whether the drift of migration is for or
against us, and scores of other matters
that may be thought of. five desire cor
rect information in relation to these things
we must CLEAN it ourselves.
The year now passing is one of the
most important in an industrial and pro-
gressive point of view known in the his
tory of the State. If the facts in relation
to the various manufacturing enterprises
which have been started all over the |
State, or the increase of those before I'M
der way, could be published in authentic
shape, SO that the people of this and other
States could see what is being done here,
it would arouse activity and spirit in
Maine and turn the attention and capital
of other States towards us, and result in
farther encouraging. stimulating and in
creasing the good work begun. But what
we learn of these matters is in haphaz-
ard way. Instead of this our knowledge
should be the best that can be had. 1t
should be reliable. 1t should be full on
all important points, to serve other enter
prises starting. There are many discuss
ing now the best plans to be adopted for
the improvement and occupation Of water
powers, the starting of shoe aud carriage
factories and various other kinds of bust
ness, who would be aided greatly in their
efforts by knowing how and what others
have done and are doing under similar cir
cumstances. But the facts are not collect
ed and preserved. They are not accessi-
BILE to the public.
The most valuable records the State
could have would be the records of its in
dustry and growth. Had they been care
fully Kept from the birth of the State they
would be of the greatest importance for
reference. But what prompts us to speak
of them at this time is the knowing in a
general way how much is being done tow
ards the establishment of new industries
in our States, and yet how poorly prepared
we are to know the extent and Importance
OF these enterprises. Maine furnishes ad-
vantages to such industries superior to
those offered in other States, which would
appear prominently in the records. The
cost of labor and living is less, health is
better, power cheaper and more abund-
ant, good sites for factories. storehouses
or residences are more readily obtained at
less price,in Maine than elsewhere. These
facts would appear. Capitalists would
see and act upon them. They would
stimulate inquiry and spread knowledge
as to our resources. But the good that
we might receive by the exhibit is lost be-
cause it is not made.
We have mentioned more particularly
manufacturing, but agriculture, lumber
ing, shipbuilding, all the varied industries
of the State shonld be taken into the ac.
count, and would all be benefited by an
exhibit Of their condition from year to
year. The pages of this years progress
Gould we have them would be the most
agreeable reading that could be offered
the people OF Maine at the opening of the
new year.
According to statistics, the cultivation of
rice in South Carolina and Georgia has made