Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-08

The board of commissioners appointed un-
der act of the last leRisture met the two State
commissioners previously appointed, at the
Augusta House, yesterday afternoon, at half
past four O'Clock. The entire board were
present, as follows: Joshua Nye of Augusta,
aud Charles p. kimball of Portland, James
H. McMulen Of Bddeford +. +. Shaw OF
Paris. Ed~i in Sprague Of Rockland, Charles
W Roberts of Bangor, and w. II. Simpson
of Belfast.
The Obitc ct of the meeting was TO organize
and consider plans for carrying out the OBJ
iec,s OF the commission, in making arrange
ments for the fitting representation Of Maine
in the great exhibition.
Hon. Joshua Nye called to order, and on
his motion Hon. c. =. kimball was called
temporarily to the chair. Col. +. 4. Shaw
was msde Secretary.
| Mr. Nye said that he thought the organiza-
ton should be made to-day. A Secretary is
needed whose business il shall be to answer
| communications and work up an interest.
| One thousand dollars have been appropriated
| by the State, TO be used as the board may
| think best, and portion of his may be de-
voted to pay ing the expenses ola Secretary for
| several months. No great interest in this
matter had thus far been developed in the
State; this is not to be wondered at, as the
public journals do not agree, and two mem.
| bers OF Congress from this State are opposed
to the Congressional appropriation.
Mr. Kimball looked upon this matter as one
of no little importance. He had given to it a
good deal of thought and was sure that when
| the people became aware of its magnitude
there would be no lack of interest. The
board should have n Secretary, who should
send out blanks, personally visit the large
manufa cturers and producers, attend to cor
respondence, and work up a general interest,
that the people may take hold in earnest, and
he had no doubt that the result would be a
good show-one that the board and the State
of Maine would not be ashamed of. He had
no doubt the work would be light this year in
comparison to what must be done before the
holding of the exhibition.
| Mr. McMullen thought that the work OF
the Secretary this year would be simply prep
aratory.
Mr.. Sprague thought it too early to map
out the work, especially while the matter in
Congress is in such a state. The action
there would undoubtedly guide our future ac-
ton. The matter thus far has dragged heav-
lily here, and he had noticed that this was the
case also in Massachusetts.
| Remarks were then made upon several OF
the branches of the material wealth of the
State, proper to exhibit at the exhibition.
Mr.. McMullen spoke of the improvements
made in the manufacture of steel. The ka.
tahdin Iron Works, through their agent, had
already proposed to exhibit specimens. Mr.
Simpson said that bog ore had been found in
several localities of the State, that is begin
ming to be extensively used in the manufac'
ture of iron.
Mr.. Simpson suggested that the people
could be effectually reached by an address
from this board, published in all the newspa
pers. Messrs. Shaw and Roberts, and indeed
the entire board, heartily coacurred In this
On motion Of Mr.. Nye, the board proceeded
to the election of permanent President, anC
the Hon. Charles r. kimball of Portland
was unanimously elected. Mr.. Kimbal
thanked the board for the honor. which h,
considered a high one. and promised to do al
in his power to make the exhibition a success
After discussing the qualifications Of Sec
rotary, the board adjourned to evening.