Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-12

re1olcingS over the deserved SUCCESS ON
, city has achieved during the past few
years. Why, gentlemen, 1 can remem
Der, and it was only few years ago. wher
! this city of Augusta was almost asleep
apparently satisfied with its present condi
ton, with no development, and without
! public spirit.
\ The pulse of the city was so dormant
that had the suspension of a large busi.
hess like the E. c. Allen Company oc,
CURED, the city would have gone into the
hands of a receiver.
But what do we find, todays The pub
lie spirit, the enterprise, the energy the
push OF the young business men of our
city has brought about marked chan ge
in the calendar of events. While busi-
ness disaster and the hard times have
visited other communities in this State
ana elsewhere, Augusta, notwithstanding
the severe business depression, has pros
pered on, and the city has been a hive of
industry and growth for the past few
years. Look at the fine business blocks
that have been built on our business
thoroughfare. They are but monuments
which the business men of the city have
in Augustus future. On yonder hill. by
the persistency generosity and enterprise
of our leading citizens who have brought
their influence to bear upon men of wealth
of the city and elsewhere stands the mag
nificent granite structure almost ready to
be dedicated. On Water street another
magnificent building, another monument
has in short space of time been erected.
And still another, thanks to the liberality
and public spirit of one of our most
| hnnprpl oit Jgii ,JI
tural beauty of our business center.
Why, gentlemen, | am proud of Au-
gusta. l am proud to be a citizen of this
good community. l am proud of it's past
and [ glory in its present, and if the fu-
ture is to be judged by present condi
lions, there is much OF hope for every man
who has the welfare of Augusta at heart.
1t has been commonly said that Au-
gusta is cursed with too much bossism
for one wish we had more of bossism 1t
has evidently worked for the greatest good
and the best welfare Ct our community.
Augusta takes no back seat for any city
in the State of Maine. To be sure, it is
the capital of the State. 1t is here that
we have always welcomed our Governors;
it is here that we have made Governors
in the past; and we propose to make an
other in the near future, and he will be a
worthy and tried citizen of our good city
am asked to respond to the toast,
"Our Ncighbors, - and now, at least, we
are on common ground. A good neigh
Dor, in the common phraseology of the day,
lis good thing. and it should be pushed
along But Il bad neighbor is the devil
incarnate, and the sooner it is relegated
| to oblivion the better
Just to the south of us lies the quiet
and beautiful city Of lIallowell. Some
may say that it is a charming city to emil
CRATE from, but. gentlemen, l was born
in the city Of Hallowell, and will never
go back upon my birthplace With that
city and the sister city of Gardiner, we
are connected by commecial ties, stronger
and closer than they have ever been in the
! past. We are taught in Holy Writ to love
our neighbors as ourselves, and it be-
hooves US as the citizens of the most pros
porous city of the kennebec. to extend tn
our sister cities the most cordial greeting,
trusting that what works for the success
| of the one will in part work for the sue
cess of the others.
| AS the years roll round and the high
way between our city and Hallowell is
dotted with the pleasant homes of our in
creasing inhabitants, bringing the two
cities closer and closer together, in bust
ness and social relations, we see in tho
dim future Augusta and Hallowell one
and inseparable, under common govern
ment actuated with common purpose
and with q common end in view.
This is and has been to me a most joy
able occasion. A good dinner is always
most satisfactory to a hungry soul. But,
gentlemen, let the spirit of this occasion
not die here. Let each and every member
of the Augusta board of trade go forth
from this banquet hall, approaching the
efforts of the members in the past. but
resolved Ourselves to do what we can in
our way to further the interests in our
community and make our city more pros
porous than ever. Applause.
Mr. S. S. Randall said
Industries of Augusta. the topic as
signed to me, is one in which | am truly
proud, but as l am to be allowed to speak
only 10 minutes can hardly do justice
to the many important interests we have
in this city. If had been asked to speak
On the effect of the recent financial dis
turbance, on the industries of Augusta,
city then my task would have been light,
as I find no evidence of such effect, and
we have had no failures.
Augusta is today taking very promi-
nent position rs manufacturing city and
the industries here are all in a healthy and
tlourishing condition.
Our city has ore great advantage over
the ordinary manufacturing city in that
it has diversity of industries which is
an clement of safety to our prosperity.
Not being entirely dependent upon any
one great industry. n temporary depres-
sion in one line does not affect our trade
ut large, and the public hears the rumor
of depression with complete Indifference,
well knowing that any one industry is
small part of the whole.
Augusta cannot be called "A spindle city,
nevertheless we have one of the largest
and most successful cotton mills among
the many in this State.
Neither can Augusta be called a paper
city, yet our pulp and paper mllls are
rivals of the best. and the product of these
mills are at the head in point of excel
lencc, in the class of goods manufactured.
Nor is Augusta granite city,
vet the thousands of tons Of superior
granite which leave our docks annually