Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-19
NO. 29s.


localities and interests, uniting them into
one common business relationship, thus
materially changing the laws of supply
and demand which have almost revolu-
tionized the routine Of farm industries.
The value of the agricultural products
of the United States, is 81 500, ,0O0, 900;
manufactures, $1,000, ,000, 900. Total,
$l5, 800, 10000 This value is three
times greater than Great Britain, the next
most productive nation on the globe.
We excel in quantity and value the COM
bined products of the Nations of Great
Britain, France, Germany, Austria,
Russia. We are wonderful nation
and it is not strange that from foreign
lands come each year, nearly one million
alone save this country. Changers, keep
can sentiments.
tance which have heretofore engrossed
the attention of the National Grange and
has again been the subject of able reports.
Transportation" ''Education," "Agri-
culture, ,""Dormant Oranges, "the good
of the Order" each received careful con-
sideration at Washington, and commend
these reports as worthy of your careful
consideration. would recommend that
the Lecturer Of each subordinate Grange
in the State, at regular meetings, read the
excellent address of Worthy Master
Woodman of the National Grange, also
the several able reports on the subjects
named, when published. l will not
occupy your time by repetition of the
argument in favor Of Legislative control
of transportation in order that the inter-
ests of the public may be protected. The
Kings Highway and the Appian way
are distinguished for their ancient glory.
In this country the woodman's axe of the
ancestral farmer, first opened the planta-
ton, and then the town, county and state
way. These are the royal ways Of the
people. Civilization and progress have
furnished the public railway. In a free
country the glory of all these improve
ments rests upon such use as will best
serve the interests of the public, which
is not secured by monopolies and the de-
sire of inordinate gains. The railroads in
our State are models of excellence.
Statistics furnish reliable evidence that
our own State is making satisfactory pro-
gress in all its material resources. The
great display last fall at our several
Fairs of the products of our farmers,
and exhibit of home manufactures, was
q great advertisement and should be an
inducement for our people to stay at
home. We have invaluable wealth in our
Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures,
Fisheries, Lumber, Ice, and in our new
productive lands and industries. Grang-
ers, avoid the seductive advertisements
of other localities and remain on "the
home farm" 1t is an encouraging fact
that the towns and cities of Maine are
fast getting out of debt. In 1880 the
municipal debt of our cities and towns
was $17, 1872 ,266. Information received
at the office of the Secretary of Stat in
dicates reduction of this indebtedness
during the past two years of 81 200, 600.
Our agricultural interests are making
steady progress and work with an adj
vance all along the line. The improve
ment i'm sheep husbandry is very crafty
ing. The number of sheep i'm Maine in
1880 was 565,9l8. The present number
in 1888, returned to the Secretary Of
State, appears to be 1887, gain Of 20
per cent. in three years. Statistics show
that the number of farms in Maine have
increased from 55, $50 i'm 1860 to GA ,309 in
iCcC, VI fO DCi SChbs OVOi OhO-
half of these farms are of less than 100
acres each, and substantially are all
owned by the occupants. We have no
large land owners, and the entire soil is
owned and cultivated by our people.
There can never be a landed aristocracy
in our State, but there must ever exist all
the substantial elements of independence
and happiness. The census statistics
show that there are employed in various
in our State 23l 1928 Of our
OF this number ,l30 are
agriculturists, about 33H per cent. The
next popular pursuit is manufacturing,
which employs 1862. The next pro-
fessional and personal, 47,411. Trade
and transportation give employment to
29,790. There has been wonderful
change going on in this State during the
past fifty years. Railroads and manu-
featuring have brought to our doors great
and important results. We are no longer
an entirely agricultural people, for other
pursuits are followed by 67 per cent. of
our population. We now have an army
of consumers to feed and clothe which
has increased the value of our farms and
the demand for their production. Let
us rejoice at such prosperity and fully
recognize the causes which have produced
it. Let us cultivate good fellowship and
a reciprocal, friendly relationship with
every material interest, and while we
should be vigilant and watchful and
tenacious of our rights, let us allow to
all, equal advantages. The estimated
value Of the productions Of farms In
Maine as returned to the bureau of sta
tistics at Washington in 1880 was $22,-
0OO, 900. This averages over $500 as the
production of each farm, which does
not include the revenue from cattle,
poultry, wool and many other resources
of the farm which should increase the
average revenue to over 5000. Nearly
one-half of our population as farmers
and laborers are engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and venture the opinion that
on the whole civilized globe, there Is not
more independent, intelligent and hap
py community. Statistics show that our
average yield of the staple productions
of northern climate is unequalled by
any other state in the Union. You may
travel the world over, and it is the ap-
pearance and character of the homes
which furnish sure index to the condi-
ton Of the people. / have travelled quite
-