Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-03
AUGUSTA, ME. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3. 1873.

| accommodations, and in some instances good
teachers for public high schools. Ample
room would then be left for the many excel
lent institutions in the State Of grade be-
tween the high school and college. trust
the educational interest Of the State will re-
ceive at your hands, the careful considera-
tfon its Importance demands.
IxprsTRIAL INTERESTS.
The labor Of the farmer during the past
year has generally been rewarded with salts
factory returns. Some important crops have
fallen below the average, while others have
exceeded the most sanguine expectations
More interest is felt in the deirussion of
questions affecting this great interest than
ever before. Farmers are anxiously inquir-
ing for the best methods of cultivation; the
most approved machinery, the comparative
advantage and profits of different kinds Of
crops, and for new and more profitable chan
nels of agricultural industry. This spirit of
inquiry, supplemented by the meetings and
discussions of the Board of Agriculture and
Farmers Clubs and the agricultural de-
partments of the public press, cannot
fail to advance materially the develop
ment Of our agricultural resources.
Our manufactures Of cotton and wooleu fab
rics leather, boots and shoes, bricks and car
| ing. Many of the older manufacturing
operations are being increased, and new es-
| adjustments are starting up In various parts
OF the State. Our water-power, which, for
constant supply and availability, is unsurpas-
sed in the country, is being more extensively
improved. Our advantages in this direction
have already attracted large amount of cap
ital to the State, and must eventually make
! tbs one Of the leading manufacturing States
in the country.
Our quarries Of granite, marble, slate and
lime are inexhaustible. Operations in them
are increasing and yielding renuneratiye re-
turns. The products of these quarries have
already become an important item in our IN
dustrial productions.
More than the usual amount Of lumber has
been cut and manufactured during the past
year, and ready sale has been found. Our
timber lands are proving to be an almost in
exhaustible source Of wealth. Townships
upon which operations have been carried on
every winter Tor thirty years are now worth
much more than their value prior 70 the first
cutting. 1t is now becoming evident that,
vast as is the amount Of timber cut in the
State, the annual growth, where the fires
are kept crt, Is nearly equal TO what is re-
moved b. the lunibercen. The timber which
our father: supposed would be entirely ex-
an Important source ot income for generations
to come,
There has been greater activity in our ship
yards the past year than for some years be-
fore. demand has arisen for the smaller
class Of vessels for the coasting trade which
or shipbuilders hare not been slow to supply.
There are no more skillful builders than in
Maine, and there is TO place where vessels
can be built better or cheaper. The increas-
ing demand for such vessels as we have usual
ly built in Maine, with the all Congress is
giving, promises to restore, il some degree,
at least, a business that was once the depend
ence Of important sections Of the State and
the pride of all. 1t is believed by many that
as much tonnage will be built in Maine dur
ing the next year as in any previous year.
/ The revival of shipbuildng is important in
another respect 1t will aid in regaining our
| lost commerce. and restoring 10 us our share
ia the carrying trade. As a general rule the
people who build no vessels, sail none while
those who do build, sail them. We may rea-
sonably expect that the new impulse given TO
our shipbuilding will increase the number OF
American owners, and multiply the number OF
American flags in the commercial harhors Of
the world.
/ STATE PEIso>.
The state Prison has paid lis expenses
during the pastyea and seven thousand eight
hundred and torty-seven dollars and ninety.
three cents besides. The number OF cnnyicts
in the prison December lst. ISL was one
hundred and seyenty-four. Dec. lst lS-2
there were one hundred and sixty four. In
the opinion Of the Warden, the number will
| continue to decrease during the next year.
In addition to the value OF buildings, the per
sonal property belonging to the Prison liable
to destruction by fire, is valued at nearly one
hundred thousand dollars. The old fire en-
gine is, in the opinion of the Warden and in.
spectors, entirely inadequate, and the pnr-
chase ct steam FIRE engine is recommended.
RAILROADS.
Report OF the Railroad Commissioners
shows that eight hundred and SIXTY eight miles
Of railway are in operation in the State
Less accidents have occurred, and general
improvements and efficiency, and greater Wig
lance have characterized the management Gf
our railroads during the year. The sugges-
tons of the Commissioners in regard TO cases
where the managers OF railroads decline to
repair roads deemed unsafe, and where they
retnse TO run them for the accommodation of
the public, will. trust. receive vour atteD-
ton.
INSANE lIosrirAl.
/ Iac Trustees and Superintendent os the
Insane Hospital call attention 10 the fact that
the institution il tlled beyond its capacity
for suitahic accommodations The import
ant duty will deyolve upon you Of determin,
ing how the increasing number Of these un-
fortunate people shall he provided for.
tha Trustees renew their suggestion OF last
Year IA regard TO the abuses arising under the
statute which requires the State to pay one
dollar end fifty cents per week towards the
support Of such patients as are without means,