The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-10
SHALL PORTLAND Be THE CAPITAL ?
Strong Feeling In It's Favor Among
the Senators.
Local Pride Presents Several Beautl-
full Towns as Claimants,
But Their representatives Make the
Forest City Their Second Choice.
Especial to the Press.l

that was put to the Honorable Senators this
forenoon by the PRESS representative. And
the answer was, in most cases, 1T should be
somewhere out Of Augusta" Some wanted
it in one place and some in another A few
Senators from beautiful rural towns like
Skowhegan. Sabattus, Auburn. Paris Hill,
etc, thought at once that their own homes
should receive the State House whenever IL
should take up its journeylngs; but their
second choice was always Portland. Port
land was also the choice Of a large number
who did not think their own towns quite big
enough, and between the two classes the re-
suit Is big vote in favor of the Forest Me-
tropolis of Maine as the seat Of the State
Government. Very few. among whom, how
ever, should be mentioned Senator Heath Of
Augusta, who expresses his convictions with
force and decision, favor Augusta as per
manent capital. Bangor has a few enthusi-
astic advocates; but cannot compare with
Portland for popularity among the Senator's.
This is what the Senators say:
Senator III. w. Sargent, of Sedgwick, was
first seen by the PRESS man. "How would
you like to see the State Capital removed to
Portland" was asked of him.
II would hold up both hands for it," said
he. From Hancock county we could 90 to
Portland in less time and for less expense
than is required to come here TO Augusta.
And when we should get to Portland, more
over, we should not be crowded for room,
and the prices for sustenance and shelter
would be more moderate. You could put the
250 souls attracted by session like this into
Portland without knowing 1t, whereas there
Is great commotion in Augusta when they
arrive. A large number Of business men
who either are members Of the legislature or
are drawn here by business before commit
tees. have business in Portland. Were the
Capital in the great commercial city Of the
State they could do their business with great
or ease Portland Is always accessible from
all parts of the State. Augusta Is not, al
though the Maine Central Is remedying the
defect somewhat byirunning:the Legislative
train" Senator Sargent was member OF
the House of Representatives In 1879 and
1881, and was in the Senate OF 1887 He has
jOurneyed to and from Augusta times enough
and boarded there long enough to form a
good opinion. He Is leading business man
Of Eastern Maine, moreover, and we'll ac-
ouainted with the sentiment In his region.
Senator Rand Of 0xfOrd-"I should like to
see 1t moved and Portland Is certainly the
place. It Is easY Of access, Is the business
centre Of the State, has the accommodations
and is in all respect first class city for the
capital Of State like Maine. am In favor
Of moying.'' Senator Rand is an old mem
Der OF the council. an old member Of the
House, besides being business man OF Ok
ford county. He has travelled much about
the State and knows the best place for cap
ital that will serve the business men.
Senator Walton OF Somerset-"By all
means want to see IL moved out OF this
''Where do you want 1t to go?'
'To Sk0whegan, Maine, the garden spot Of
North America, as my first choice. My sec
ond choice would be Portland, because Pc
lieve In having the State Capital where the
business Is done"
Senator Sleeper of Androscoggin-"Yes, 1
want to see IL moved. think II should be In
some other place"
"Where would you have 1t go?"
my first choice would be Sabattis, Me"
"YOur second choice?"
ssPortland. the metropolis Of Maine"
Senator Wright Of Oxford-'I should like
to see 1t moved"
"Where tor"
Paris Hill, II possible .
IF not possible%
"rhen to Portland, the business centre of
the State and the place admirably suited for
the purpose"
senator Daggett Of PIscataquis-"I like it
where 1t Is.
Senator Heath Of Kennebec-'T can con-
ceive of no reason why II should be done.
With the present railroad c0nveniences the
State Is as well convenienced here as any
where"
Senator Merrill of Franklin-"I should
like to see it moved. and seeing no prospect
that 1t can 90 to Pennington, should like
10 see IL In Portland"
Senator Frost Of Sanford-"If we can have
it moved, Portland Is the place by all means,
1t seems to me so far as am personally con-
cerned."
Senator Kendall Of Biddeford-I would
personally like to see II in Portland, but per-
haps the public would be better cOnvenienced
in Augusta.
Senator Simpson Of Penobscot-'I should
certainly like TO see 1t moved"
"TO what city?"
"B-a n-g-o-rf think, too, l should prefer
Portland to Augusta"
Senator Harding Of Gorham-"I should
like to see it moved, and to Portland, Of
course. That is by all means the best city
for a capital. have no doubt that the other
Cumberland Senators, who have not arrived
yet, are Of the same way of thinking"
Senator Collins Of Aroost0ok-"I should
like to see the capital in some brighter,
smarter place II we are to have such long ad-
journments. think the time is not very
far distant when 1t will be in Portland.
think should vote to have 1t there"
Senator Clark of Aroosto0k-"This loca-
tiOn suits me we'll enough"
Senator Burgess Of Knox-"I think the
legislature might perhaps be better convened
Senator Walker Of Knox-'I am chairman
Of the public buildings committee, and /
guess had better express no opinion"
President Lord Of Penobscot-"Wny GER
tainly, move It,"
ITO Portland, Of course?"
''No, no, to the centre Of the State, to the
queen city Of the East, | have no second
choice"
Senator Ben. Hill, Of Auburn-"Yes. it
ought TO be moved"
"Where would you have 1t go?"
ITO Auburn II possible, II not, why. Port
land Is the place Of COURSE"
Senator Hunt, Of Liberty-"I want to see
a better building. don't care where 1t Is To-
Gated"
Senator Nickels, of Searsport-"Move it
out Of Augusta anyway, Augusta Is TO hard
to get too, and has too few accommodations
when you get there"
"You would favor Portland, then, Sena-
tor?"
swell, hardly, should want to see 1t go
to Bangor"
Senator Nash, Of Washington-'I am in
clined to think 1t would be too expensive to
have new State House. III were moved,
however. Portland Is rather easier of access
to the people in my part Of Washington
county, but Portland people would want 10
build too fine a capital"
Senator Holbroke, OF Vanceboro, In Wash
ingtOn county, says-"I shouldn't favor NOV
Ing the capital. 1t would cost too much for
the State to afford"
MAINE.