Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-06

/ frequent changes. In any aspect III " Hi0i
the proposed change may be viewed there
appear serious objections to its adoption,
so that. in our opinion, it will be better for
Congress TO exercise the power which it
undoubtedly has to regulate the telegraph
and correct its abuses, leaving it in private
hands, than to undertake the purchase and
control of it. We had better take it as it
is, subject to the corrective power of
Congress, than have il with the possible
and probable evils that would attach to it
as an instrument in the hands of the GOV
eminent.
LETTER FROM EASTERN MAINE.
To the Editor Of The Journal
EAsrpoRr, Nov. 2stn, 1872
Missing the cheerful pages of the Kennebec
Journa! for the few days | am sojourning in
this remote corner Of the State, it is a partial
qualification to give few moments to pen
ming line for its columns. This place is on
al island, has 1000 inhabitants and has rath-
err more business enterprise than the most of
the villages in these parts. There is an old
look about most all of these villages that con-
trasts with tie fresh painted appearance of
the spruce little villages in the western part
of the State. Our boat touched at St. An
drews this morning. There was scarce 4 yes
sci at its wharves The buildings were old
looking, like the wharves along the line of
which they extended. As sad, however, as
the wooden structures may look, it is far sad
der in all these towns TO see the terrible de-
yastatop that rum makes on the human be-
ings themselves. traveller sees little Of
it at Vapceboro' and McAdams. The hoarse
voice of the brakeman reminds him somewhat
of it as he opens the care door and cries out
Toper's Guzzle or BARRIERS Dam. The burnt
up appearance on the countenances of loaf
ers around the station at st. Stephens tells its
sad tale of woe, and in a short time Il man
realizes that he is in country where there is
nothing at all of the Maine law. ! never
realized half so much before the benefits Of
our prohibitory system, and if you know of
y
them TO come over the line and see for them
selves. And they need not come quite over
the line either, for at Calais they will see the
bnrnt-up look on hundreds of mems faces,
whskey being easily procured just across
the bridge. addressed large gatherings of
children on temperance in Calais and St.
Stephens both, and only had to cast my eye
about very little for fresh illustrations of
the fearful havoc the demon had wrought.
The Sabbath school interest, in reference
to which have visited this part of the State,
is not equal to what it is in some of the wes-
tern portions. We held county conycn-
ton at Calais last week, and although il was
a success, yet the interest and attendance |
were by no means what some other parts of |
the State would have afforded. The inter- |
est in all religious matters here on the line is
confessed 10 be very small. One clergyman
at St. Stephens remarked to me that so ex- |
tensively were the people engaged in SNUG
Cling that the demorslizing effect was per-
ceptible in all the operations that the church
undertook The clique that connive at |
the smuggling of liquors is so strong, that it.
is with extreme risk a speaker on temper
ance says any thing that has local or practi-
cal bearing.
We took passage OH the St. Crolx & Penob-
scot II. r. to Princeton, its terminus, and re-
manned the guest of Mr.. Putnam Rolfe dur
ing the session of S. S. Convention at that
place. This gentleman settled here in 1885,
and has witnessed the growth of the village
from its first settlement to its present condi-
ton. He is indeed the father of the town.
He is a hale old man, strongly built, with
pleasant counteuance and is the prime man
of the place. To reach Princeton we passed |
through forest almost entirely, and at this
place reached a fine mill privilege that
keeps a multitude of saws in constant motion |
There are two churches in this little place. |
Baptist and Congregational. The pastor of
the Baptist church was for several years I'M
der the tutelage Of the celebrated Mr.. Spur
geon, and graduated at the university of Dub |
lin. lie is young man, ready speaker and
has applied himself vigorously to accomplish |
a multitude OF improvements for his society. |
The addition of some thirty members, a new |
and beautifully designed parsonage, an organ
and numerous other useful appendages to
the church, all attest his zeal and assduity. |
most of them being secured by his personal |
solicitation abroad.
We have just held S. s. Convention at
this place (EastporD which was attended |
with considerable interest. An episode oc-
CURED however near the close such as has |
not transpired in the State before. Consider
able discussion took place on the word "cvan-
gelical"
The Unitarian clergyman who was present
spoke unfavorably to organizing auxiliary to
the State Association if that word was used.
which was not SO much Il matter of surprise,
but the Baptist clergyman took the same
ground. and so the convention adjourned |
sine die and therefore no town s. s. organi-