Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-08
Our Slater Citiea.


favorably situated as to have 50 complete
unity of interests, both business and social, /
zs do the trio of cities which form the gems
Of the central Kennebec, ''sreetest river that /
kisses the sea" as Editor Smith Of Portland 4
beautifully expresses it. viz Augusta, Hal !
lowell Ani Gardner. Its frequently the .
case that towns or cities located % opposite /
sides u 4 river, whose Ia erests are some
what Identical, become severe, often bitter I
rival. rivals in business, rivals in society 1
life, rivals in goOdne.s, rivals in badness. I
It would not take long TO think Of several
such ea.es in our goodly state, but We are .
pleased 70 believe that these instances are
growing less common every year. In some, [
towns once stout rivals have thrown over
board their Jealousy have become united as
one town or city, and gone on to more
friendly life, and greater prosperity. In I
these days there are men enough Of inau- 4
ence and force Who counsel the wise pru-
dsnce Of allaying jealous feelings between 1
towns, cities and communities and, urging
only that rivalry, or rather emulation Of
Viii h can best agree with the other, or
Ehich can do the most work for the genera /
good, the public harmony, the common |
sell-beinz The old spirit Of
overriding and beating and
getting ahead" Of another, 30 noticeable 1
years ago in many town affairs, is narrow 4
and selfish one, with 10 element of ibersiity /
or generous public spirit in any part Of it. (
Men now see that what is good for one com
munity is also good for another; and that
there is, interiockiDg each town or city q
community of interests BY the encourage ent
Of which they are upbuilded, united, and j
rendered more prosperous.
As stated at the outset there are few cities
in Maine, which by natural environment
should be more closely bound together than
our sister Kennebec cities of Augusta, Hal
low ell and Gardner There are many good
reasons for this. All are in the same county
they are but few miles separated from each
other they are washed by the same river
lighted by the same circuit; a feeling of &C
quaintence and genuine good spirit e1is.s
between all their citizens; public communi-
cation between them is the question of but a
few moments and the intercourse back and
forth Of It's people is as frequent and as
much matter of every day occurrence as
though they we're, practically, almost one
municipality. We 20 to Gardiner to trade,
they come TO Augusta to purchase, and both
GaI
no particular rivalries among its people.
either of a business, political or ,ocial ma
ture. The manufactures are so numerous
and diversified in Gardiner that Augusta has
no thought of taking them away. The seven
or eight dams of the Cobbosseecontee are a
monopoly that belong to our sister city of
the south. aad her utility of them is a matter
Of much pride to us as to her. Hslowell
stands preeminent in her control of the
magnificent quarries and consequent business
which are the life of that place. As to the
capital atty, we don't believe either of our
two sister cities want to carry away the State
House, pocket the jail, or stop the kennebec
from coming over the Edwards dam.
What helps one of these towns surely can
but aid the other. Together they comprise
a population of more than twenty five thou
sand. and, united in all their interests wouli
become a financial, social and moral force
the influence of which could hardly be over
estimated. We believe in this trio of beau
tiful, prosperous, united towns. A splendid