The Republican journal., 1883-11-01
Names Prosperity.

The claims put forth at the time of the State
Fair with regard to Names prosperity were
denied in some quarters. This was fortunate.
for the result has been the collection of facts
and figures which cannot be gainsaid, and
which must convince even the most sceptical
Indeed. the evidences of prosperity are to be
seen on every hand by all save the wilfulIy
blind. Our State is certainly more prosperous
to-day than ever before. and il is the result of
steady progression rather than of the ttfu ia
vOr> of fortune. 1t is moreover a prosperity
that will endure, and growing prosperity as
well. The growth of the agricultural interest
has been most marked. Concerning the numer-
Gus agricultural fairs held the past season -
Washington county had three on the same tlay
the reports have been uniformly favorable.
The attendance generally has been larger than
IN former years, and while in some instances
the exhibits We're not so numerous as usual. in
quality they ranked higher everywhere than
ever before. This is particularly true of farm
and dairy stock, and this fact alone furnishes
conclusive testimony as to the improved meth
DDS and better financial condition of our farm
erS. The general situation of the agricultural
interest of Maine was, however. so closely and
satisfactorily stated in the interview with Hon.
Fred Atwood Published last week. as to leave
little more to be said on that subject.
Another important interest. which has great
possibilities before it, is the granite interest.
the local development Of which has been set be-
for" onr readers recently at length. The SUI
ply Is ineNhau>tibe, the stone of superior quail
lily that from some of the quarries is uneXce-
Iod for certain u>c--and the demand is yearly
increasing. There are other industries of which,
in a scarcely less degree. much the same NAV be
said, and their relative importance, when con
tra>tcd with other States, is thus set forth by
the Maine Industrial journal:
In the first place. Maine stands fourth among
the thirty-el9ht States in the number of water
Whtes ana the amount of Watcr-power She has
IN use. In her quarrving industries she ranks
hr>t IN granite and third in slate, being exceed
ed in the latter only by PENNSYLVANIA and Yer
mont In >hipbuilding She is third in the list,
outranklng all the States with the exception Of
New York and Pennsylvania. Her fisheries
are fourth in Importance, being only exceeded
BY Massachusetts, New York and MARYLAND
Her production of manufactured lumber is onl,
exceeded by SIX States - New York. Pennsy-
vania. Ohio, Indiana. Michigan and Wisconsin.
IN paper manufacture she is sixth in impOr-
lance. being exceeded by Massachusetts Con-
necticut. New York. PENNSYLVANIA and Ohio
In the production of tanned leather she is third
otlng "utranked by Massachusetts. New York
ana Penn>A lNania. In the manufacture of
boots and shoes she is fifth in Importance being
exceeded by New Hampshire, Massachusetts
New ork and Pennsylvania. In cotton man
ufacfureS she Is also fifth, being exceeded only
by New HAMPSHIRE Massachusetts Rhode Is
. IN mac j.,ttf. Il IL,
OF WOODEN goods and mixed textiles she ranks
seventh. being exceeded by the last mentioned
States together with New York and PeunsyI-
vana
In Shipbuilding alone has Maine declined from
her former estate. but this is due to causes over
which we have no control. 1t is for Congress
to apply the remedy and when that is done and
the American merchant marine begins to regain
It's former Importance. Maine ship-yards will be
busy as of yore. Here will be built the wooden
vessels of the future and perhaps Il fair pro.
portion of the iron ships well. Indeed with
In the past few Years there has been somewhat
of revival in shipbuiding. and Bath still
maintains its prestige in setting atloat each wear
more tonnage in wooden vessels than any other
port in this country.
linen there are millions in Maine as Il summer
resort. The summervisitors and cottage build
erS are bonanza in themselves. to say nothing
OF the enhanced value given to real estate by
their coming. Shore lots on the Maine coast.
before flittle value, are now sources of wealth
and even the small islands which once would
have been reckoned dear at a few dollars
apiece, are now eagerly bought up at fabulous
prices Millions Of dollars have been expend-
ed IN hotels and summer residences. which call
for large annual expenditures, the greater part
OF which finds Its way into the pockets of our
people through the various channels of trade
and labor Indeed, the summer visitor is no
unlmportant factor i'll Names growing pros
perlty and the crop is sure one Altogether
the present condition of Maine and her future
outlook are in the highest degree encouraging.