Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-29
THE EXCELLENT ADDRESS
u President Bangs Of tho Augusta Board Of
Trade Oh Retiring from the Office.

HS'SNAhS uhuAtSo ny lAOSluCub
Bangs of the Augusta board OF trade on
retiring from that office at the annual
meeting Monday evening, is one which
Augusta people will want to read and
consider:
Gentlemen of the Augusta Board Of
Trade:
Ionlght marks the closing of anot lc
year IN the history of this organization,
ana you are assembled here to listen to
the reports OF those to whom you COM
mltteTthe direction of its efforts, in n--
BALI OF the business interests of our be-
loved city, one year ago.
Our secretary and treasurer at the
proper time, will acquaint you with the
records, and financial condition of our
board; and with your kind indulgence, |
VIII give a resume of such work as has
c)me under my own immediate knowl-
e ige and direction.
believe that 1t is generally understood
among our citizens, that this board, is in
IL great measure responsible for the bust
II SIS prosperity of the city, by giving
direction to its various branches of trade;
atNc Using the natural and ACQUIRED
facilities for manufactures: and ferret,ne
out those DESTROYS of engaging in either
or BOTH and inducing them TO locate in
our midst. rs we are II voluntary organ
iZation, without corporate seal or author
ity; paying our own bills, and contribut.
ing OF our own time and thought for
these purposes; it is to be hoped that any
lapse from this high standard which has
been raised for US will be treated by them
with ienlency and consideration
During the last year | have received
and answered several letters from persons
ana lirinS who were ostensiby looking
Tor opportunities To better their present
location. Among these Were two shoe
Ia tories; one machine shop, and one
hating establishments which after some
correspondence l visited and held inter
views with, but in each case, with the
exception of the hat shop ! found that
they either were not responsible parties
or else required so much in tire shape of
exemptions and guarantees, that it was
useless to make their cases known to the
citizeas of this city.
In the case of the bat shop, | was more
favorablv impressed and at one time
thought that there would be an oppor-
tunity to lay the whole matter before you.
but at the last found that the movement
was being made for the purpose of in,
timidating the employees into accepting
IA reduction of wages, ard | Immediately
discontinued any further effort in that
direction.
Our State today, is being persistently
worked in the interest Of tramp shoe
factories, = who for selfish ends are Undue
ing over anxious cities and towns, 10
grant privileges and immunites. for
which they will never receive an equiv
alent.
Possibly our good fortune lies in the
fact that we have not listened to their
seductive promises. and are still free from
their demoralizing influences.
Two wears ago, movement was inaug-
urated, looking to a connection by rail
road with Rockland, directly across
country Considerable progress was
made which was unfortunately arrested
by the financial depression that at that
time shut down over the whole country.
committee was appointed consisting of
men of eminent ability, from Rockland
and Augusta, to confer with the Maine
Central K. r officials, and an interview
was arranged between both parties look
ing toward such encouragement from
the railroad as would materially assist in
carrying out the proposed scheme. | am
not aware that the meeting ever matcri-
aliz Il, or IL it did, / have no knowledge
that Il report was ever submitted to You
for consideration. 1t seems unfortunate
that this matter should be allowed to re
main longer III its embryo state, while
he narrow guage read from WiscaSset to
Burnham and further north. has since
been constructed notwithstanding the
hard times, and is now in successful
operation, already divertne perceptiblc
volume of trade from Augusta to those
towns through which it passes l am not
pessimistic in my views of the future
growth and Importance of our city, but
among the necessary edjuncts to its pro-
grcss and prosperity. is that of keeping
intact aud unbrofen the avenues of trade
running east and west from which a large
portion of our daily business is derived.
If we cannot see our way clear to the
construction of a road to connect with the
Georges Valley r. r. which now has its
western terminus at Union common, less
than thirty miles away, is there any
reasonable argument, why we should
longer neglect to swing road out to con
iNOb With VIC NlstdSSct hODStutdu
Lake r. r. and thus secure the trade of
the towns along that line, before a dis
tributing organization has been effected
that will make competition close, as well
as improbable.
l am pleased to be able to state that
public enterprise which for the last fifteen
years has done SO much in making Au-
gusta what it now is, still in conserva-
tive way, is adding to the convenience
and material wealth of our municipality
The generous spirit which has given us
the finest business street in Maine, and
created business enterprises that are at
once the pride of ourselves, and the envy
of our neighbors, has now in 1895, begun
the erection of an aTmory and city hall,
which when finished, will accommodate
the needs of the city for generation to
come, and | believe is the augury Of a
movement which will eventually result in
putting, those other public works so
necessary to the health and convenience
of our citizens, under the control of the
people for whom they are built For
your aid in this enterprise, you certainly
deserve the commentator Of all wide
minded citizens.
The efforts Of your first vice president
in the direction of good roads" seconded
by your endorsement, must result in a