The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-01-19
The Maine Chance.

Senator Frye, among the numerous other
statements he is credited with by the press, is
aSsertedto have said that if Maine had kept and
invested within its own borders all the money
that has been sent West since 1S49, it would be
the richest state in the Union in proportion to
its population. The amount of money sent out
of The state during the last twelve months has
been immense, as everybody knows. Banks
have been started in Kansas and Nebraska and
Dakota on Maine money, and with officers from
Maine who were relied upon to draw more
eastern money. Some very good business men
have left the state for the West, and some also
whom it was no loss to lose. But they all
influence the tendency of capital, whether of
Maine business men, rich or poor, or women and
trustees and guardians, to invest in the unknown
and large promising West rather than nearer
home, where less is expected. even if no loss is
realized. From the little town of Damariscot-
ia, OIL the Knox & Lincoln railroad, with less
than 1900 inhabitants. Mr.. Frye is reported as
saving that within year 100000 have been
sent West for investment. 1t is not impossible
But how much better for all concerned if they
bad put their money where it would work for
the benefit of their state, and where they could
have seen how it was used and who used it.
Boston Herald.
This is good advice. The Fairfield journal
Of the same date as the Herald, publishes an
editorial captioned ''Something to Think Of"
covering practically the same ground. The
Journal would have our people profit by the
policy which has mainly contributed to build
up the West, and that is to show up the best side
of our State. and believes that if Maine had
adopted such policy ten years ago she could
not only have held the population she has lost
but materially have added to it," She has
however chosen to adopt an entirely different
course. Satisfied of her own true worth she
has hid her light under bushel while western
ers have placed theirs upon hill top. The re-
suit is only too apparent. We possess the best
state in the union rs place to live. This is be-
! yoni dispute and people who go west emphasize
the fact by stating that in that far off country
they can soon earn money enough to come back
to ,lainc and lire. Quite an admission sure
| ly.
But While talking of the great amounts of
money that are and can be earned in the west
people forget that the boom that the west is
now enjoying is nearly all the product of east
ern and largely Maine capital money delved
| from this rock bound state. If the west is
such a prolific source of wealth why do the
| western boomers turn their backs upon it and
'''iN " tH' >tciiic sun VI Nlallle IOI capltal:
IF Maine would advertise to the world her
great water powers, to say nothing of the other
| natural advantages with which she is so richly
endowed capital and population would flock
here - readily as it goes West. Now that the
climate If Maine has so improved and our
winters have lost their terrors we can honestly
claim Il climate second to none for healthful-
ness and long life.
Then, to bring the matter still nearer home
the journal concludes: Fairfield could well
afford to spend several thousand dollars atver-
tisin@ her splendid water powers, as yet practi-
caiiy Unused. her clean, healthy streets, supplied
with pure water and lighted by electricity her
excellent schools and churches. 1t would be
.uEe 10 prove a good Investment. WHY will
she not do it -
Belfast has unused water power, streets
supplied with pure water. excellent schools
| and churches, facilities for manufacturing, with
railroad and steamboat Transportation, great
natural advantages for summer resort, pub
Icihrary. and is in all respects most desirable
place Of residence Let us then boom Belfast.
and the good old State Of Maine.