The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-10
A Signal Success.

IL may DC seriously uOuDteQ II ever before,
in the history of the city, has there been an
event in which so many citizens could take
such genuine satisfaction and pride as in the
Industrial Exhibition, which was SO auspl
ciously opened last evening at City Hall.
To say that the exhibition is great success
is but faint praise. Indeed, it is SO signal
success as not only to crafty, but astonish
gentlemen who have, for years, fattered
themselves with the idea that they knew all
about Portland and what it was doing or
could do. They little expected to see City
II all and all the adjoining rooms crowded
with samples of the handiwork of Portland's
artisans and the products OF manufactures
built up and sustained by Portland capita
and energy. So quiet has been the develop
ment of the various industries of the city,
that not only have the people of the state
cial city, but our own citizans have failed to
note its silent progress in the varied depart
ments of skilled production and manufact-
ure, until the brilliant opening of last even
ing revealed the fact that hereafter the CHIEF
commercial city of Maine must take rank
as one OF the first in the variety, extent. and
value of its manufactures. And yet it must be
remembered that not nearly all of the manu-
featuring interests of Portland are represent
ed in the exhibition. Many were unable to
prepare goods for exhibition, while others
for the want of motive power and space
could not exhibit their products. The Port
land Company, whose five hundred skilled
mechanics turn out as fine locomotives and
cars as are made in the country, the Rolling
Mills whose Vulcans are forging iron rails,
the Kerosene Works whose products are the
best in the market, cannot be represented in
City Hall as they might be in some depart
ments if the exhibition was given in build
ing with greater and more accessible space
with motive power. 1t is enough, how
ever, to demonstrate that for hundreds of the
products of skilled labor of the best quality,
the people of Maine need not go beyond the
state boundary to purchase.
For the great measure of success which is
assured for this exhibition, the fullest credit
will gratefully be accorded to the committee
of the Board Of Manufactures, and their eff
Gent assistants, to the various manufacture
ers who have devoted both time and money
to fill the hall with those samples of skilled
labor that cannot be excelled, and to the
merchants and other business men of the
city who have, with remarkable unanimity,
responded to the call of the managers.
The initial success of the exhibition, also
demonstrates that whatever enterprise Port
land people take hold of in earnest, they can
successfully accomplish. Its success will i'm
part to us that!self-reliance in the resources
and ability of the city that we so much
need. The manufacturers have nobly done
their share. They have made the exhibition
SO unquestioned success that even the
chronic growler cannot but admit the fact.
Let our people see to it that the exhibition is
sustained throughout.
.f-
Arrangements have been made for excur-
sion or half fare trains on all railroads and
steamboats,. In behalf of the business men
of the city we extend to all of our Maine peo.
pie in particular, cordial invitation to visit
the city and assure most hearty welcome. We
are assured that every intelligent Maine man
recognizes the fact that Portland's growth
and prosperity is to great extent the meas
ure of the growth and prosperity of Maine.
We trust our people have outgrown that en-
vious spirit which looks with jealousy upon
the growth of other towns than that in which
they live-that to-day we all rejoice in the
growth Of Lewiston, Bangor, Bath, Augusta
and all other towns Of the state, assured,
that, by that common bond of interest which
connects every town in the state, it is impos-
sible for one to become prosperous at the ex-
pense of another.