The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-30
CHANGES In PORTLAND.
Col Z. A. Smith Relates His Impress
sioas Of City,
FORMED AFTER AN ABSENCE OF
ELEVEN YEARS FROM HERE.

Partland Has Improved and 1t Has Grown
He Says-Improvements Projected by
Mayor Baxter Especially Noticeable.
81 do not think that those who live in
Portland realize the great change which
has taken place in the city and suburbs
during the eleven years which have
rassed since was here last" said Col.
T. A. Smith to PRESS reporter.
"Portland was always one of the really
incest cities in the country. Portland is
one of the few cities which has not been
at great trouble and expense to increase
it's population. I don't know as its citi-
zens had any understanding on that
point, but it seems that they have acted
upon the assumption that a well-fed,
clothed and housed family, self-support-
ing and intelligent is of greater value to
a CITY than hundred jewellers of slums
always on the verge of starvation and
menace to the health and prosperity of a
city. Few cities the size of Portland
have SO many fine buildings and resi-
dences and it may be added that few Of
it's population have built SO many modern
blocks as has Portland during the past
ten years. Few cities of double It's popu-
lation have SO many public institutions
on so large scale. AS I went about the
city with friend, the Improvements
which were pushed by Mr.. Baxter when
mayor have added greatly to the attrao-
tiveness of the city. Besides Portland
Westbrook but suburbs of Portlandi In
them the growth is most marked.
81 might mention several special i'm
provements. One Of these Is the Union
Station. Fifteen years ago the railway
entrances to Portland were enough to
give the visitor bad impression; but the
new Union Station, with its artistic
buildings and ample yards, clear of
freight trains, gives sort OF. refined well
come to the traveller. And Riverton I
Who having been there once for an after
noon, can ever forget its manifold attrao-
lions? It is simply wonder"
"Has the State of Maine been making
progress the past fifteen years?" asked the
| reporter.
"The census reports do not show that
it has Maine has not attracted ship
loads of foreign paupers to swell its popu-
lation and compete with home labor,
which isia blessing; in fact rapid in
| crease of population, regardless Of quail
| ty, is curse. 1t deteriorates the quality
Of labor and degrades its character by I'M
! natural competition. 1t is used to cor
rupt local government. Fortunate the
State which escapes such population.
Judged ty the development of it's railroad
system. Maine has been making good and
permanent progress the past twenty
years.
"The Maine of today owes much to its
great men of the last generation. Among
these men were John NJ. Wood, John B,
Brown, Abner Coburn George F. Pat
ten, Governor Williams. Those who
| fought some in the list of notable men
| who built the central system Of railroads
! in the State called them "the ten
| thieves in their time. Blessed is the
| Dbf1L6 WA1CA Al0o hhd 5QC1 tCu UA10tOS 0o
the men named. They risked that future
generations might reap. AS late as 1878
the credit of the Maine Central during
| the period of consolidation was so doubt
| full that financial institution which
held $500, 900 of its obligations actually
required the endorsement of Abner CO.
burn and John B. Brown to make Its
managers feel secure.
"Years ago, when General Chamberlain
was governor, the State published book
showing the volume of its water power.
1t was go vast that it could have run the
machinery of the whole country-so vast
as to be of little value. Since that time
coal has taken the place of water, which
| has led one to wonder why the coal meas.
ures were in the central belt of the coun
try. which does not SO much need coal,
and none were given to the Eastern
States of large populations. Consequent
| " We came to regard the abundant
water power of Maine as so much wasted
energy. / wonder If there has not been a
change of sentiment since water mower
has been used to generate electricity
Who can witness the wonderful electrical
power which has been applied to street
railways and machinery in towns near
water power, and not feel that sooner OF
later, probably very soon, the abundant
water power will furnish through cleo.
tricity a substitute for coal and wood in
running railroad machinery and heating
houses? Are the years many before the
falls on the Presumpscot and Saco rivers
will be regarded as more valuable thar
coal mines?'
"what of politicss" the reporter next
asked.
"There does not appear to be much
politics this year of the usual kind. In
such States as Indiana. Illinois, Missouri
Kansas and Nebraska, those who were
the victims of the Is to folly insist on
declaring for that delusion, and the can
yass will be made on that issue more O,
less. Here I see that the ex-preacher, whe
thinks he is running for Congress against
:, -, Dad ionores or doo,. - =,