Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-24
AUGUSTA BoApD or TRADE
Address before the Board Of ffs Dc
Mach l6, 1891. BY Ira q Randall
President OF the Board

The Augusta Board Of Trade has al
vanced well Into the fourth yeaf Of its sx-
istence, and with some emotions Of pride
and qualification congratulate through
this organisation, the citixens Of August
on the brilliant and successful infancy Of
this federation.
II 10 perhaps to be regretted that We have
no detailed record Of oil the subjects thst
have been considered, and all thas has been
said In their favor, at the regular and
special meetings Of the board of managers
during the last three years, but the praise
due u. fortunately does not depend e.
tisely upon thiugs considered. ~ much ~
on results, "by their works ye shall know
them"
There have been some unkind criticisms
made BY thouehtless or selfish persons Who
seem to have an idea that the Boar
Of Trade 10 possessed OF omniposert
power, and that the material prosperity Of
the city reAts almost entirely with its mem
bers and management; the success Of many
Of the enterprises inaugufsted by the board
would seem to give some bssis for such an
assumption, but nevertheless Il 10 lament
able fact that such 10 not the case; our
powers are spiritual not physical, We are
not IN incorporated body with fishts ard
powers srantsd % BY the State, We have M
funds TO promote or forward our undsrtab-
inas. We are simply . spontaneous local
organic ation Of burmese men having tie
interests of Augusta and the Ksnnebec
valley Of heart, our sections are the supposed
sentiment Of the whole community since
We organized this beard We have ell
devoted considerable time and WORK
and money to the successful termination
Of our plans We receive no compensation
or emoluments Ia any form and hardly any
thanks, We do not pore - martyrs but
think our positions are heroic in Their
nature.
Il 10 not necessary for me to recount
here in detail all Of the successful prof sc;s
we have inaugufsted, bat ne know that
nearly oil Of the investments made By the
large corporations located in this city for
the last three years we're brought sbost By
the concerted and persistent lsbors Of our
board Of Managers; We also know about
the State Capitol and the enlargement Il
the State House, We alec know Of the
changes made in The original plane Of the
post Office suggested and mainly bfoush.
about by Mr.. Z. G. Allen, the PRESIDENT Of
this board at the time; ve also know Of DER
successful efforts Ia obtaining IN appfepris-
ton Of s55 200 from Congfsss to be
used in dfedsisg and Otherwise
improving the channel OF the Ksnnebee
river thereby ultimately giving vassf q
Sufficient depth 70 accommodate any coast
wise uafsc q Augusta duIiog the shipping
season. and reducing the danger OF damage
occasioned BY ffeshets.
do not refer to these tbices to retire. b
yonr memories, neither do 70 cast srs
!. elections on the citixens Of this eff, but
simply 10 renind then that vote Of thanks
hss been earned and 10 jusuy dae 70 this
Board OF Trade. for value received.
We recognise The fact that = u ros 10 t,e
province Of city ofRcsfs 70 undertake TO DO
what would be expected Of NJ to DO, the
situation u very different with rs; We are
not responsible for vhss We do. Eeafiy -
much - re afs morally responsible fof
what re do not do
This city - fairly entered into an err
Of pernsaens growth aAd probable prcsp =
ity. the lAfgs snouns Of eapstd sAfes':
iuvestsd here in baildinss, nacnsnsey ano
impeovemenn e1 . permanent and sndufire
charactsf, sseflss thas question Tor MS gen
eraiion.
within tro years the amount invsat d
in isApstrisl enssSpeises alone exceeds eas
millIon ana Ave hundred thousand dolIars
ala 10 ct Of psblic lail1isss And pefmaa'
ent inpfovemsnss l. more than one million
Of dsllass; Without stsppine % considsl
thes1 THOR how fss psopIs realize tn
ussnltuds OF these figures and al Of thii
is bora Ads grovth. il l. mot alone o.
..papers. althouah II y with it, Era
rahiishine hesses. ~ 1ne Poss ehiee
ReaAe Hcuse, pension omoe, and mas
-. ,sslie h>~nr.sna unoeo ard nnora even