Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-09

depressed condition. but later IN the season
there was marked improvement, and the
mills of this State have done, on the whole,
lucrative business The amount of starch
manufactured this season is larger than ever
before, the product being 7. 1856 tons. Several
new factories have been erected. The granite
business has been well sustained; the product
of the State quarries has been increased over
last years and the yield of lime kilns has
nearly equalled the large product of 1888
The lime manufactured in Knox county num-
bered | ,495, 1852 barrels in 1888, and l,47S.-
1896 barrels in 1884 The manufacture of
leather still remains in very unsatisfactory
condition, and that of lumber has fallen off
somewhat; the cut of logs on the principal
waters being about IL per cent less in 1884
than in 1888 Boot and shoe manufacturing
made a marked improvement in 1888, and has
maintained its prosperous condition the past
year. / am also able to state that although
there has been general and widespread de-
preston in business throughout the country,
it has affected our own material interests only
to limited extent.
COMMERCE.
International trade and commerce, under
the sharp competition now existing among
civilized nations, have at no time in the his
tory of business relations between national
tiles. ever excited so great interest as at the
present period. The commerce of foreign
countries in comparison with our own has
reaped great advantages even in our own
carrying trade; to remedy which requires
prompt action and wise craftsmanship.
The tonnage of foreign vessels entered at
sea-ports of the United States the past year
amounted to | | ,6SS, 209 tons, or about 80 per
cent of the whole amount, while that of the
United States vessels was represented by on
ly 9 S34. 68l tons, or 20 per cent. We are
paving an enormous tribute to England for
transportation for which we receive but lit
tie consideration or recompense. The sta
tistics of the past two decades show a steady
decline of American shipping, and the fact
stares us in the face that foreign ship owners
are practically doing our carrying trade
This is not consistent with the high position
the United States holds as leader of the
world, possessing as it does superior advan-
tages in extent of territory, variety of eli
mate fertility of soil, quantity of production,
unequalled harbors, and supplemented by the
intelligence and the requirements of a vast
population.
The remedy can be found only in the ener-
gy and efficiency of the American shipbuild-
er aided by proper national protection. We
desire that there may be created CONNER
cia navy to be owned by our own capital and
Differed by American captains. In ques
ton of such vital Importance, the State of
Maine should take great interest, for large
portion of her former glory and pride was
her interest and triumph in commerce. Her
national legislators should continue foremost
as they have been heretofore instrumental in
directing public sentiment to this question, to
the end that all unnecessary burdens may be
hat nf ar,Ifa al or,I
labor may be devoted, as formerly, to the
greater development of one of our most nat
ural industries
In this interest Maine has been of late
wears more favored than most other States.
According to the census of 1880, the number
of vessels of all rigs, including steamers,
owned in the State was :, 674, having capac-
ityof 500 ,2S4 tons according to the returns re-
ceived from collectors of customs at the office
of Secretary of State for the year ending Sep
TENDER 80, 1888. the number of vessels was
9, S99, having capacity of 626, l22 tons and
for the year ending September 30, 1884, the
number of vessels was 2,S68, having capac-
ity of 628, 954 tons. This shows an increase
of capacity for 1888 over 1880 of Is, 1897 tons !;
an increase for 1884 over 1888 OF 832 tons,
and AN increase for the four years of 1860
tons-which is an average of 4,9l7 tons per
annum.
There appears to have been a gain of
3, 1857 tons in vessels belonging in the
State employed in the fisheries, in 1884 as
compared with lS80-an average of 1864
tons per annum.
Maine has also been greatly favored by the
enterprise exhibited by its ship builders. The
tonnage of vessels of all rigs built in Maine
annually since and including the year 1880 is
fnlI
90; 1882, 1904 81 1888, 74,70S.l3; 1884.
46, 40l.S7.
STATISTICS.
In 1873 a resolve was passed by the Legislature
authorizing the collection, arrangement end print.
ing under the direction of the secretary of Slate,
of statistics relating to all the departments of
labor, together with the valuation and appropria-
tons of the several cities and towns OF the State.
Under this resolve volume was compiled in 1873.
but no subsequent appropriation was made until
1882 when the subject was revived in accordance
with n suggestion In the Executive address. A
volume has been compiled and printed for 1888 and
one compiled for 1884 which is now in the hands of
the printer. From these volumes valuable informa-
ton is gathered, and respectfully recommend an
appropriation for continuing the work.
Polls AND ESTATES.
By returns received from nearly all the cities,
towns and plantations of the state il appears that
there was an increase OF taxable polls for the year
ending March, 1883, of 2O36, and for the year end
ing March, 1884, OF 1885, total for the two years.
3,S33 This indicates an increase of 1892 in popu
year, making total increase of 1916 In population
for the two years average increase of 1903 per
annum. There also appears 10 have been an in
crease in taxable valuation OF estates for 1888 of
81, Sg4 S55, and for 1884 of 022 49, total increase
for the two years 97 .31-an average of ,66S
per annum.
Comparatively few people in Maine, during the
past year, have unsuccessfuy sought employing mt,
and cases of suffering from enforced deness have
been infrequen. There has been gradual reduction
of prices of manufactured articles. imports and
farm products, and scaling down of wages has
followed as matter of course.
The State of Maine deserves better treatment
and more generous encomihms than it often gets
from many of its sons. No equal number of popu-
lation can boast of larger number of comfortable
and happy homes. In no State in the Union s there
less suffering from poverty, and in none are there
mere facilities for earning livelihood. Large for
tunes rare and cannot easily be secured in
comforts of life. We cannot too constantly i'm
press these facts upon public attention.
EDUCATION.
The steady progress Maine has made in its school
system since she became an independent State, is
one of sources of pride and power. There Is not
a large town in the State but has adopted graded
system, and everywhere there have been Increased
facilities for higher education. The untiring
devotion and zeal of the educators of the youth of
our State, not only to perfect themselves, but to
develop "A progressive system of instruction and
and results of popular education. Normal school
discipline has given us more mature plans and meth
DDS of instruction snd teachers better able to in
struct in advanced and more liberal course of
study. The intelligence Of a nation is guarantee
of its perpetuity, and rule the higher the degree
herewith submit table of statistice prepared
with great care. which better than words udica