Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-02-06

dent OF the survey, and bis early death
was great loss to the work OF the high
est Industrial interests OF the State.
In all the four years OF Gov. Chamber
lain's term, be never failed in his mes
sage to the legislature to speak with deep
Interest OF the work OF this survey aud
what II promised to for the State. In the
snnuelsddress for 1869 he said:
"There is available water power In this State
to the amount Of upwards OF millicn horse.
powers power equal to that Of 1900, eco men.
No one can fail TO see that the seat OF manufac.
lures of New England IL yet to be within the
limits OF this State. Ii requires only a little
foresight and breadth OF vision to comprehend
all the benefits that vi flow from the full occu-
patton Of this power TO every branch OF native
Industry. Other states are moving In this mat
ter anxious TO make the most of what they have
Our work should not stop short Of afiordtng
the practical advantages for which it was de-
signed"
Referring to the work OF the survey In
his message OF 1870, Gov. Chamberlain
said: "You cannot contemplate the as
tonishing results so ably presented In this
report without seeing where our present
way to prosperity lies, and what is yet to
be the WORK and the wealth and the fame
OF Maine. Our power is to be in the
waters. We must lay hands upon their
wild career and ask OF them a service and
blessing ere they mingle with the sea
We must foster this great interest which
is the hope OF the State"
In 1874, Gov. Dingley, who was one OF
the most safe, prudent and conservative
chief executives that Maine ever had,
| broad minded and progressive yet always
| cautious regarding his public recommen-
dations, said, concerning the develop
ment of our great natural water powers:
at Is, however, when the magnificent water
power of Maine is considered, that this State
stands forth the fret in the union, and presents
resources which. when developed, will make II
second to no other. indeed. few, IL any, por.
tions of the earfhs surface approach Maine In
the extent. volume momentum and constancy
of It's water power. One thousand. Que hundred
and sixty eight lakes. at an average elevation of
| eco feel above the sea from the beadwaters of
s,lSl streams which go rushing down towards
the ocean, creating over 5000 water powers.
which afford a force measured by not less than
| l,NNNsvNN EVIHE HDStIg dut equal 10 inc NOTklUS
energy OF 100000 pienl When It Is remen,-
| bcred that not tbousandth part OF the water
power OF the State IS yet harnessed to machinery
| some faint Idea OF the almost boundless extent
OF our manufacturing resources may be OBJ
tained. us for you, gentlemen, In your public
capacity; for you In your several private
spheres; for every citizen who takes just pride
| in having Maine become the great and grandly
| TO-.
lend your energies in such directions as will
tend to the development of so magnificent re.
sources"
| Under new conditions, during the past
| two decades our water powers have been
assuming greater value, aud the impor-
! lance OF water storage In the natural
reservoirs aud head-souress OF our river
Systems becomes subject of great public
concern. The establishment of paper and
pulp plants and the development OF cleo
trie power generated by our rivers for
purposes OF public lighting, heating and
motors, have given new value to our
great rivers upon which are vast water
powers, and caused public attention to be
| turned to the question of the economy OF
the water supply by means OF storage In
| spring for summer use in an entirely new
and important light.
| The State OF Maine has had quite
| handsome increase in population during
the last decade, but this increase could be
many times doubled II leg islation could be
procured which would guarantee storage
| OF water TO be held for manufacturing
| purposes along the sources OF the Penop-
SEQ st. Croix, Union and Machiss rivers
| Gu he Androscoggin much has been done,
| aud considerable has also been done ppon
the Kennebec, but not to so great extent
a. on tie AndroscoggiD. PraiIcsuy
/ not hing has teen done upon the Penob-
scot In the way of stortn' water during
the high fi,w IN spring, excepting Tor The
purpose of driving logs.
| The establishment of pu'p and paper
mills upon the Penobscot and other riv-
ers in Maine, with other manufacturing
industries, msk~s 1t evident that tue stor
age OF water cannot, hereafter, he wholly
| controlled on these rivers for the one in
dustry OF driving logs. But there should
be no conflict between the interests OF
the manufacturers and the tim berland
| owners and operators, nor do we believe
there would be il the great advantages
OF water storage for the purpose OF Civ
ing sufficient power for manufacturing
purposes during the dry season OF The
year we're fully appreciated.
IL is only question Of short time,
even II the coming legislature should fail
10 pass such legislation as would invite
the investment of capital for The purpose
OF the construction of dams and reservoirs
for storing water upon the head waters OF
the Penobscot and other rivers, before
the people will realize the great advan-
tages to be received from such legislation,
and will demand the enactment OF such
laws as would cause this great reserve
power of the State to be utilized at Veszie
Orono, saltwater, Old Town, Lincoln,
Montague, Millinocket, and at all points