Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-22

something distinct from and more than his or
their share of the public burdens, and there
fore the justice and necessity of a eonstitu-
tional provision for compensation. The clause
referred to has no bearing on the case"
He quoted from 32, Maine Report, pages
$50, 36l. There were many precedents.
Augusta cleared the river channel at an ex-
pense of $4,000 some twenty years ago.
Pensions, town histories, monuments, ex-
empting property from taxation, :" Back Bay"
improvements, were all on the same principle
and took private property by way of taxation
with only the compensation resulting from the
public benefit. He should oppose general
law. He spoke of Names agricultural and
immense water-power resources, her geo.
graphical position for manufacturing, some
stimulus now necessary to induce foreign
capital to enable her to improve the golden
opportunity, to take and keep the lead in man
ufactures, to give to our children homes and
to our people the great want something to
do"
No need of fearing monopolies,' or that
towns would run mad" Twas time for them
to show temper. The state policy is rightly
more liberal than thirty years ago.
The legislature is the judge in each particu-
lar case and should be cautious to allow aid
to be given only in worthy cases, and then on
such conditions of vote, security, &C., as
would be proper and safe. There was no
danger. If towns went too fast a reaction
would regulate them.
The Sd point he would prove by the state
ment of facts, and by the honorable senator
from Somerset (Mr. Weber,, who would
follow him in speaking.
Mr.. WEBER said:
Mr. President I'll wish to state briefly the
simple facts relating to the action Of the town
of Plttsfeld which this Legislature is called
upon to make valid. The town is situated on
the Sebasticook river, about twenty miles
from Waterville, and thirty from Bangor, on
the Maine Central Railroad; its water power
is unsurpassed by any in Somerset county,
and by very few in my judgment in the State;
the location of the village is very fine, rs any
one will testify to who has passed through it.
The Maine Central Institute is located there,
a very large commodious building, and the
number of scholars have increased very rap
idly since it was built, as will show you in
1866 there were l26 scholars, in 1867 1874, in
1868 POP, in 1869 237, and in 1870 252; in
1868, four sett mill was evreeted there, of
the same kind, and upon the same principle
as the one which they now propose to build;
at the close of the year 1867, the village con-
tanned but Al dwellings, none of which were
first-class. The mill being put in operation,
gave such an impetus to business, that some
fifty or more dwellings were erected during
1858 and the succeeding year of 1869. So
that they now have considerably over one
hundred buildings, many of which are first
class one hotel built and kept by Isaac Lam
cy, Esq, cost with furniture about twenty
thousand dollars, and is a very large, elegant
and convenient building, and an ornament to
the place; one SPLENDID private dwelling.
built and occupied by Going Hathorn Esq,
at cost of about fifteen thousand dollars,
(who by the way is one of the most enterpris-
ing and useful business men in Somerset
county,) and through his aid and influence
the mill was erected and put in operations as
understand he invested some thirty-five or
forty thousand dollars in it; there are also
many more reliable and wealthy business
men in the village and town which could men,
ton, but want of time forbids There are sew
eral other nice dwelling houses in the place,
costing from three to six thousand dollars
each there are twelve stores, all think doing
good business; the place receives quite large
amount Of business from the towns north and
nsrth west of it, as there is no railroad be-
yond, (Which am very sorry to say,) it be-
ing good market for farm products, espee-
tally for hay and potatoes. The present in
debtedness of the town over and above re-
sources is 10000; in 1860, there were 326
polls; in 1870, APO, a gain of lo3, three
L
have been told by reliable gentlemen in the
place. The tax on real estate outside the
immediate vicinity Of the village has been
lesened more than twenty per cent. within
the past two years on the same amount of
money raised; this will apply to three -fourths
of the farms in town, and has arisen entirely
from the creation of taxable property in, and
attraction of taxable property to the village,
which has more than doubled its own yalua-
ten during the past three years. and that
pretty much wholly through the influence of
the factory erected in 1868. The valuation
of the town in the year 1850, was s270. 495.
in 1870, S5Is,5l5, being an increase Of PAS
020; seven-eighths of said increase should be
credited to the years l567-5-9.
Now, Mr.. President, this being the legiti-
mate effect Of four sett mill on a well occu-
pied dam, in the midst Of the village, certain
ly as much can be expected from five seit
mill on a new dam, with equally as good, if
not better water power; the water power upon
which the company proposes to erect the dam
and factory, is called Douglass Lodges, and
Is situated about one-half mile above Pftsfeld
village on the Sebasticook river; has a fall
sixteen feet three and one-half inches in about
eighty rods, estimated at 240 horse power and
has never been occupied. The distance from
the village, as you can readily see renders it
entirely impracticable for the operatives to be
accommodated with board, &c.; consequently
necessitates the erection of dwellings near the
seat of operation. The company estimates
the number of tenements absolutely necessa-
ry tor their accommodation the first year, at
from 90 to %, and as nothing is to be exempt
ed from taxation outside the mill and yard.
these buildings become taxable as soon as
erected. The factory will be for the manufac-
ture of wooden goods, and of sufficient size to
accommodate five sets of machinery, en-
ploying about 100 hands; the pay roll will
amount to about 50, 800 per month, or $50, 900
per year; the town proposes to loan 1927 800
for ten years at six per cent. semi-annually.
l am informed by the authorities of the town
that the money will cost them l-2 per cent,
consequently the loss TO the town will be l-2
per cent. The town is to be secured by mort
gage on the dam, including the whole water
power, building, with all the fixtures, includ-
water wheel and one sett of machinery, the
whole estimated by good judges, to be worth
at least $4,000; the company has already
been offered $4,000 for the surplus water,
after reserving enough to run five sett mill,
but refuse to accept the offer. The property
il tn he kent con stantly iusu red in safe rol;a