Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-14
INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.

We called attention last year to the i'm
portance of gathering annually in reliable
and convenient form for the use of the
legislature and dissemination among the
people of this and other States, all the
facts attainable in relation TO the growth
of the industries of the State during each
year, with information in relation to our
productions of various kinds, our resour-
ces, also inducements for capitalists and
manufacturers to locate within our borers.
Many of the newspapers of the State spoke
of the matter with appreciation, none
against it. 1t was recommended by Gov
ernor Perham in his annual message, and
endorsed by the leading men in the legis-
lature, but suffered to pass by without
favorable action.
The year now drawing to a close has
been one OF extraordinary growth in the
manufacturing interests of the State.
Everywhere the spirit of enterprise seems
to be aroused, manifesting itself in the es
tablishment of new forms of labor, and
the enlargement and improvement OF es-
tablished industries. Capitalists Of our
own State have invested literally, while
from abroad we have, received large addi-
tions Of labor and skill How many new
enterprises worthy oil notice have been
undertaken this year we have no means OF
knowing with certainty, but the numberif
it could be correctly asceriained would
surprise even our own people. The large
area OF our State, over which these enter
prises are spread, makes them appear less
in number than they are, but any reader
of the newspapers or intelligent traveller
knows that there has been progress on all
sides and in many ways. Not a week has
passed during the year that the newspa-
pers have not recorded the starting Of
some new enterprise, or the action of some
town to invite and aid new industries. If
the sum of these had been carefully gath
cred up and prepared for public use, what
an instructive document it would have
been for the coming legislature, how it
would have encouraged our people to per-
severe in the building up of their own
State, and what solid facts it would have
held out to capitalists in other States as an
argument for investment here. We ven-
ture to say there are hundreds Of new in
dustrial enterprises in operation, or being
established, employing and about 10 en-
p,oy many thousand of hands at good
wages, and adding millions of dollars to
the wealth OF the State, that have been
started since last New Years. If we were
able to give an accurate statement of the
localities where these are situated the
sum invested, the hands to be employed,
and all other facts connected with them
that are Of public Importance. it would
awake still more the spirit OF enterprise
already kindled, and attract more atten-
ton from abroad, while furnishing prac,i-
cal ideas that are necessary and valuable
for general information. We learn from
the newspapers what Portland, Biddeford,
Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta. Rockland,
Belfast, Bangor, and some other places
are doing or have done, but there are
scores OF other places alive with industry
that are not heard from, or only casually
and in no authentic shape.
There is no doubt that the present
growth OF manufactures in the State is
principally due to the action OF the State
authorities authorizing the work of Mr.
Wells, whereby Il valuable publication OF
the natural resources OF the State for man.
ufacturing purposes was spread abroad
SO that people were better informed as tc
our capitalists. That with the liberia
policy of the State was the foundation o
the growth which we witness Ii was re
garded by some as mad-cap piece 0
business, but it opened the eyes Of thou
sands to the magnificent water power am
climate of Maine, made known the favor
able terms upon which money might b.
invested, and now the fruits are springin.
up all around US.
For its own interest the State should no
allow the progress of its industries to g
unrccorded. II should post the book
every year, both 10 enlighten and stimu