The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-27
WHY NOT PORTLAND.
The o.essisn of New Outlets Fer West
Indfan Trade.

The publication OF the news that the
Grand Trunk railway hes es.stlishsd q
steamer ssrvics from New London, Co.,
aud halifax, N. s., to Cuba, naturally
recalls the former trade Of Portland with
the West Indies. Speaking on the sub-
jeot. Saturday, Mr.. Ia a. Cloudy told Of
the many prominent Cubans who were
educated In this Vicinity and who retain
many pleasant recollsctions Of former re-
lations with this section. Mr.. Cloudy
asks why this trade cannot now be re-
vivsd. He said:
whils In Cuba. early this year, I Waited
all of.the cities named Havana, Cienfugos,
Santiago. Matanss. Cardenss, Ssgua,
and ~ any interior cities and Villages. To
my surprise. found In Zach Of the larger
oitiss several leading and most intelii-
gent business men who had bssn educat-
ed either 1t the westbrook Semi nary,
Yarmouth or Little Blue Schools. Eaoh
of these asntlsmsn In their several oitiss
were lsaoers In municipal and bushes .
Affairs. One Of them, Juan Campos, had
besn mayor Of his city, one Of tho best
In Cuba and 10 today an sasrseti". al
engaged In business relations with our
former townamen, now deceased. the
Churchills, OF whom he spoke In the
highest terms. In visiting another city
was INTRODUCED 10 distin euishesd gentle
man whom found had received HIS sdr-
cation and business training In Portland.
Hs, also. had been mayor Of his city and
was . trusted adviser Of our military
officials. His memory OF Portland aud Its
former business men wss most agree
able surprise TO me, rs wsll as his grant
desire to re-estsblish business relations
with US. In another oity, Astanzss,
through the kindly courtesy OF the late
william Adie, who rsoentiy die1 at that
city, / was introduced TO another gentls-
man. prominent in businss affairs Of sths
city, who bad also heen edrcatsd In 10 T.
land The same experience WAS met with
In Havana, Santiago, Cardsnas and else
where In each and all OF these cities wss
manifested an earnest desire for the re-
newsi and development Of general busi-
ness with our city. The former large and
profitable interests were seemingly an
Inspiration for renswal.of old time con
ditions. To be surs, the peculiar business
formerly existing, the Importation OF sug
ar aud expectation of shocks principally,
is now q thing OF the past, largely. which
may, however, be restored In the near fu-
turs to limited extent ut least II our
capitalists and business men will arouse
themselves In an effort to restore what Is
hope fully awaiting their action. OF the
many prod uotf which Portland 10 most
advantageously In position to furnish to
the merchants Of Cuba and Porto Hoo. 10
an extent In excess OF either New Lon
don, Ct, or halifax, \. 5, are. first, all
lumber products which will bs In great
demand Immediately; fish, In various
forms In bulk or boxed; produce, partic-
ularly potatoes, Of which none stand
higher In their reputation ~ TO quality
than Maine branos; canned goods OF all
kinds OF which We are headq uarters In
the packing; agricultural Implements,
featured within our own city and state;
furniture and other wood products of
similar kind. In fact. there is no state In
the union, or city either, better situated
to do . splendid BUSINESS with our ofd
time friends, than Maine and Portlsni,
What's to be done to secure
this blu .inessS Shall We sit Idly and
sppinelv and let such small cities as New
London, Ct, and our larger ana more en-
srgetio neighbor. Halifax, ats,rb that
which We can have for the asking, If We
make an effortf My snswer Is: Re
vive the spirit OF . j. b Brown, 5 K.
Spring. John Sparrow, George 3. Hunt,
and host Of Others who coupled their
capital with their energy for their own
benefit and the developmsut Of their oity's
material prosperity. They were inspired
by the sentiment: "Rach for all and all
for sach," in whatever would advance
the joint interests Of themselves and Port
lano. Is there not Brown or . Spring
In our midst who will lead OF and give
inspiration to the opportunity before uss
Our local summer resort development IL
a grand thing in itself, but 1t only lasts
for u few weeks. Let Us do something
which will be continuous in It's benefits
to our city, Its merohants. manufacturers
and laborers. Let's organize
q Cuban merican steamship line, or in
duos our English and Canadian friends
to come to our rescue, IL We hsven't the
energy ourselves AID put on q steamer
direct from Portland to ports in Cuba.
We have done much for the combina-
ton Grand Trunk and steamship inter
ests. They will reciprocate II we arK
TENN. The issue IL In the hands OF cap
italists and merchants. Let Portland
capitalists call a insisting of the Blardof
Trade. and develop then and thsIe pol
10y OF trade expansion and local imperial
ism for the benefit Of Portland.