Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-30

becoming Of one mind regarding the necessary
encouragement 70 be given the Edwards Man.
ufacturinR Company. The example and pres
ent prosperity Of waterville have suggestive
lessons for us. Only few miles above An
eusta, in our own county, on the beautiful
rivef which pitches over our magnificent dam
a"o passes our homes, We have just reasons
70 De gratifed at the present growth and fu-
ture prospect of this enterprising young city.
With wise forecast some wears since her in.
'eiiisent citizens resolved on = very liberal
policy a. to the taxation of incoming capital
engaged in manufacturing. The result ha,
been equal TO all reasonable expectations.
10 show how liberal her policy has been, it
is enough to state that the total cash vslue of
her new manufacturing property gathered
around her dam is now more than one m, lin,
nine hundred thousand dollars, while this
stands on the assessors books for taxable
purposes only at tro hundred ninetv-sir
mousdnd dollars. She has in operation new
factories with new machinery and ninety
thousand spindles. And it it is nov in con-
temptation to build another dam a. ID 10 erect
an Immense cotton mill of one hundred thou
s1nd sp'ndIes.a at cost of million of dollars.
Under the inspiration of so capable AMI ener.
getic manager as Lockwood, having the
confidence and cooperation of the liberal
minded citizens Of Waterville, there can be
little doubt that this advancing step in her
industrial progress will be made. Tins the
future of Waterville as a manufacturing civ
seems assured
Augusta should in no respect regard her
sister city above her with envy, but rejoice At
her progress, and be stimulated by her ex-
ample to do likewise. The two cities should
grow up together and aid each other by their
material strength and cooperation. As the
splendid manufacturing cities on the Merri-
mack were built up under the lead of the
Lowells, the Lawrences, and the Cabots, so
may our noble Kennebec have her manutac-
turing cities extended and made prosperous
by Lockwood, Edwards and other men of cap
ital, brains and enterprise, who may be in
duced to invest their money among US, if we
show proper appreciation of their co-opera-
ton in bringing into use our resources.
But it may be asked, what are the specific
measures necessary to be adopted by
Augusta to induce the Edwards Manu-
featuring Company to 60 forward and
enlarge its investments iniour midst? This
is fair question. and it admits of the
plainest answer. The measures required are
only those which the interests of Augusta
demand. We understand that the Edward
Company is entirely willing to pay taxation
for all its present Augusta property on its in.
trinsc and cash value, at as high rate as is
paid in Lewiston and Biddeford for property
of corresponding cash value, and much higher
than is paid in Waterville. With present
cash value of more than five times of the
amount of the Edwards Company property in
Augusta, the Waterville companies pay taxes
on tro hundred and ninety-si1 thousand dol
lars. But the Edwards Company ask
of us no such liberality on ex-
listing property, for the reason that it was not
instrumental in bringing this property to Au-
gusta. In this regard then, the Edwards
Manufacturing Company asks only what is
just and is for the manifest interest of the
city to grant.
The next and far more important step for
the city to take, is to offer exemption from
taxation for specific term of years for new
Investments. 1t is on new buildings and on
increase Of spindles that the citizens of
Augusta need fix their eyes, and to secure
which the policy of the city should oe liberal
AMI d, finite. But it is said by the cautious
citizens, if we could have positive assurance
Of future investments, we would be willing
to vote an exemption for a term of years.
But if we vote the necessary exemption on
proposed new investments. and it should
happen that such investments were not
made, no damage or loss could accrue from
the agreement to exempt. But should the
exemption be made use of by the Edwards
Company, as to whose financial standing and
good faith our citizens have such good
means of knowing, the city could not
fail to gather large advantages. Such
step by our city at q time when
other localities are holding out strong
inducements to manufacturers. when
Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, with
their immense water powers and neighboring
cotton fields, are seeking eagerly the manu-
featuring capital Of New England, and the
great West is absorbing vast sums to build
up manufacturing centers, such a step OF
liberal policy. costing US no outset of expen-
diture, must commend itself to every citizen
of Augusta.
1t is encouraging to learn that there is now
a general sentiment of agreement and union
among our citizen. on the subject. When
the public meeting takes place, it is believed
that unity and good feeling will prevail. II
is a question about which there can be no dis
cords, no factions. no partizan aims. City
patriotism blends all in one accord and in
spires all with sincere wish to do what 10
reasonable, necessary, and for the best. We
believe that Mr. Edwards and his Boston as
socistes will meet us in the same spirit.
One of the most faithful members Of the
Z. r., -