The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-17
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Meeting Of the Committees for Or
ganization.
An Enthusiastic Meeting In the
Council Room.

The committees from the Board of Trade
and City Council met last evening in the
Council Chamber for the first time since
their appointment Prior to calling the
meeting 60 order, plans of the Western
Promenade were exhibited, with the large
lots owned by Messrs. j. p. Baxter and Al
bion Little marked thereon, together with
the adjoining property. 1t was explained
that by uniting the two lots in question, and
disseminating West street, where it runs be-
tween them, three and sixteenth acres OF
land were available for a capitol site. The
building could be placed either flush with
the front line of the lots, the front entrance
facing down West street, with all the land
on the Western Promenade in the rear OF
these lots thrown in additional for the capt.
toll grounds, or the capitol could be placed
back, the greater portion of the building
resting on the city land, and the capitol
grounds could be placed in front, with drive
ways to the grand entrance.
After the city plans had been examined,
President Laughlin of the Common Council
called the meeting to order. Vice President
j. S. Winslow of the Board Of Trade was
elected temporary president, and Council
man }. FL. Crockett temporary secretary.
Mr.. L. A. Goudy said that he would adj
dress the meeting in order to explain the
reason for this prompt call of the committee.
In conversation with the Mayor that morn
ing, Mayor CHAPMAN stated he was going to
New York, and would like the committee
meeting postponed until his return Saturday,
but since then advices had been received
from Augusta asking for prompt action, and
therefore it was deemed advisable for the
committee to be called together for Temporal
ry organization. The sites proposed have
settled down to one for the time being. Be-
tween now and Saturday, all the Portland
legislative members will have arrived home.
On Saturday night a meeting can be held un-
der the auspices of the organized committee,
at which Messrs. Baxter and Little oan no
present, together with our legislators, and
then the line of action can be decided on.
Chairman Winslow asked for the views OF
gentlemen present and called on Collector
Anderson. General Anderson thought 1t
would be distinguished honor for Portland
to be the seat of the State Capital, and our
people would probably make the city an
agreeable place for the legislators.
Mr. P. II. Brown thought he should like to
see the Capital brought here.
Hon. George Walker said that his State
and city pride would induce him to sacrifice
something for the sake of getting the Capital
here. He thought all these things added to
the Importance Of acity. 1t is the aggrega-
ton of small things that makes the great
citiac iuet &c fha drcpe of rain naba fha
great rivers. The permanent officers of the
State would have to reside here and their
residences, and those of many others who
depend more or less on the Capital would
help real estate and add to the population.
He then spoke Of the geographical position
of Portland, and her conveniences by which
the legislators of more counties could more
easily reach Portland than eny other city in
Maine. He moved the appointment of a
committee of five, to which the City Engi-
neer Mr.. Goodwin. and Mr. Fassett, the
architect, should be joined to look over vari-
GUS sites and report the best, and the terms
on which IL could be procured, at the Satur-
day night meeting.
The following committee was appointed
by the chairman in accordance with Mr.
Walkers motion: George Walker, George
S. Hunt, L. A. Goudy, r. X. Galley and w.
G. Davis. On motion of Alderman Smith.
Mayor Chapman and Chairman J. S. Wins
low were added to the committee. Messrs.
Goodwin and Fassett are also Joined. -.
On motion of Alderman Sha-S1 s IN
terested are invited s; po ~ oa.uiusy
evening pexs ~ ~ WIN '"0
On motion of Mr.. Laughlin, the Mayor
was made chairman of the committee and
Mr.. Crockett the secretary.
Mr.. Cloudy said the City Solicitor had
plan by which the site for the Capitol could
be purchased and the citizens would not feel
the expense seriously. ss
Mr. George $. Hunt was always in favor
of bringing the Capital to Portland and be-
lieved the citizens would support the
plan.
Alderman Smith believed the citizens of
Portland were overwhelmingly in favor of
the removal of the Capital to Portland and
would give proper site for it. He hoped to
see 1t moved here and believed we could
make good fight for it.
Mr.. Laughlin had asked many heavy tax
payers about the scheme and only one had
anything to say against it. That one want
ed to see the Capital moved here but was
afraid in the end it would act unfavorably to
Portland. When asked if they, the taxpay-
ers, would stand tax on $500, 900 for site
for the capital these gentlemen all said
'yes." He thought If the people of the
State came here, as they would with the Cap
itol here, they would become friendly to the
city in those cases where they had any feel
ing of jealousy at present.
1t was decided to adjourn to the same
place at 7.30 p. m. Saturday. Those present
were j. S. Winslow, W. G. Davis, s. ]. An
derson, P. II. Brown, Aldermen Galley,
Smith and Shaw, Coupcilmen Laughlin,
Jordan, Coyne, Rand, Crockett and Irish.
George Walker, George S. Hunt and L. A.
Cloudy.