New-York tribune., 1901-08-04
NAMES OLD HOME WEEK.
NO ESPECIAL INTEREST TAKEN IN ITS
CELEBRATION-THE GOVERNORS
INVITATION

OH-i1r-bFNAIlJN-IHE GOV EEtNOES
INVITATION
Bangor, Me- July 81 (speciaD.-Old Home Week.
a social and holiday time which Maine instituted
last year having borrowed the idea from New
Hampshire, seems this year have suffered some
thing of blight if actual frost There will
be observances of one kind or another in about a
score Of cities and towns but such elaborate
celebrations in 1890. and in general one sees
and hears much less of the new holiday than in
its first year.
When the Idea OF Old Home Week was first dis
cussed in Maine there seemed TO be in certain
quarters a good deal OF enthusiasm for it, and il
was not long until definite action taken toward
carrying out the plan for general merrymaking
among the people and wholesale welcoming back
to the State of all those who in years past had
emigrated 10 other parts of the country and had
prospered sufficiently enable them revisit their
old homes The newspapers lent cordial aid to the
plans, and, naturally enough. the transportation
companies went into the project with great
earnestness- 1t was declared that countless thou
sands of the "exiles OF Maine would come back
gladly to visit relatives and friends. to custard
pies and baked beans and such things; that not
only private hospitality would be taxed. but that
the hotels would reap a harvest and that gem
orally IT would be a tremendous success socially
sentmentaly and financially.
These expectations were scarcely realized: in
fact. while the week last year doubtless was a
time Of great enjoyment for many persons living in
some Of those who had moved away in former
years. IT must be said that there no great rush
of absent Maine people to their old homes in re-
sponse to the handsomely engraved invitations sent
out by the Governor Some hundreds or persons
living In Massachusetts and other nearby States
came to Portland where celebration was carried
out the army the navy all the hremen in the
State and a display OF fireworks being among the
attractions; but these people for day or two
only. did not get outside OF the city OF Portland
and Is 70 70 Of
have come TO the celebration at the low fares
offered on any other day. They not in
fuenCed in the least by the old home sentiment.
In Bangor last year the city and the people spent
lot of money for sports. a floral parade recep-
ton, ETC. but the attendance of outsiders less
than would be attracted by an ordinary circus. In
fact, the whole affair while not entirely wanting
In interest or in merit a celebration. seemed
be decidedly lacking in that friendly and social
mosphere which 1t had been expected would every
where prevail Some few people dId come. ii is
true from distant points in the West that week.
but more than have always come at time
or another in the OF a summer. Incidentally
it may be remarked that fremens muster the
following day drew four times many visitors 10
the city as did the "old home celebration
While. from sentimental point of view the
'Old Home Week Idea is beautiful. the fact seems
TO be apparent that many people residing at a
distance afford 10 their old homes
away down East and that those who afford
their convenience. and will not be governed
by the wishes and plans of celebration committees.
with the Inducement OF a reduction in rail-
road fares. Many of these well to do persons are
now in Maine their annual visits. and will
come the summer advances.
However. plans have been made for this years
Old Home Week. and August 10 70 Il is the ap-
pointed time The following places will have OBJ
servances OF one kind or another: Rockland. Bel
fast. Buckheld Caribou. Castine, Clinton, Dexter.
7
Standish and Waterville Last year the chief O5-
seryance the central celebration, occurred in
Portland which had the state Day. This year the
honor of having the State Day celebration went
begging. Augusta declined TO take IT up and
did Bath. where the City Council refused ap-
propriate a dollar for the purpose. Finally it
arranged 10 have this principal observance IN
RockIand August 13. and the programme will
include horse racing. fremens muster and visit
from the United States dispatch boat Dolphin In
Portland on August Is there will be sort OF
observance and Portland usually does things
well il is expected that large number of people
from Western Maine will attend Among tho
guests who will probably be present John d.
Long Secretary OF the Navy. and Thomas B. Reed.
now of New-York. Bangor win not observe the
occasion In any way publicly, interest in Old Home
Week having apparently entirely subsided here
Last year thirty Thousand of the Governors in
vttations were printed. and these sut-
hcient to supply the demand. This year twenty
thousand have been printed and eight thousand
still remain uncalled for. Here is a copy Of the
Invitation:
State of Maine. Executive Department.
Who has felt how sadly sweet
The dream ~ home. the dream of home,
Steals DER the heart, too sOcn, too feet,
When far Ger or land roam
The setting apart of A week each summer, known
as Old Home Week which is given up the enter
tainment OF relatives and friends who come back
o visit old home. is a beautiful custom.
and has generally received the approval OF the
people Of the State that il seems likely become
established institution The week from August
10 II. inclusive has been designated this year
Old Home Week In Maine. and in behalf OF the
State desire 10 extend earnest and cordial in
vitation every and daughter of Maine. Well
their families and friends. 10 visit the State
a that time. and they may be assured that they
will greeted with heartfelt sIadness and a sim
welcome. and will be amply repaid for a visit
the old home, whose memory must always be
dear while life lasts. JOHN F. HILL.
Governor OF Maine