Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-21

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unbroken wilderness, and practically
all of the territory which it drains, to-
day, is still remote from civilization
and from the inhabitationS of men. The
great spruce and fir trees there rear
their heads to the skies, the NOSE and
deer drink of the waters undisturbed
and the solitude of the forest and the
wilderness broods over the hills, the
lakes and the streams.
I'm the country of the West Branch,
winter is early and spring is late. In
November the ground is covered with
snow, and it is often six months later
before the streams are free from ice.
The natural precipitation of several
months is therefore retained in the
woods in the form of snow and ice, and
does not find its way to the sea until
melted by the growing warmth of
springtime. On the hills the snow lies
10 feet deep, a vast reservoir of water,
to be set free every year by the warm
sun and the south winds. AS the spring
advances, the snow gradually melts
and the streams and lakes gradually fill
with water, but the strong hand of the
nightly frost restraints it from doing
damage. But at last there comes
day, after a heavy rain it may be, when
in all directions, what was formerly
snow and ice seems to have been
changed into water. What at morning
is seemingly six feet of snow on the
mountain side becomes at night six feet
of water only half held in allegiance by
the sun softened snow. Then the snow
let's slip the flood, and it goes almost
with a bound. Everywhere throughout
the entire water shed of nearly 1000
square miles the same thing is going
on. The brooks suddenly become
roaring torrents, the lakes overflow
their banks, the river rises to freshet
height, and goes rushing down to Ban
gor carrying havoc and destruction in
it's train.
'Then after the freshet passes, the
river gradually resumes it's natural
flow the water becomes lower and low
er until in the heat and drought of the
summer, it seems hard to remember
that this shallow and innocent looking
stream was so shortly before a roaring,
rushing and dangerous torrent.
Now what of the power in these wa
IaGS Oh Iflt w est tDTdECI. Is there any
value in this enormous flood which is
wasted every spring? 1t there any way
in which is waters may be saved, its
flow be made more uniform during the
entire year ard its power be put to
beneficial use?
This is the question to be settled by
the present Legislature. Whether the
West Branch bill prevails or whether it
does not prevail is not so much at
stake as is the question of taking care
of the mighty power which comes down
the river and rushes on to the sea-"
The education committee has agreed
TO report in favor of $4,000 appro-
priation for a new Normal school at
Presoue Isle.
The committee on inland fisheries and
game has decided to submit the hum
terS' tax in an amended form. The
new measure provides that fiat
license of SIS be imposed upon nom
resident hunters for hunting big game,
that firearms may be carried into the
wild lands by fishermen in close time.
and that no tax shall be placed upon
the hunting of birds.
The general bridge bill will probably
be reported on Tuesday. II is now said
that eight and possibly nine members
of the committee on ways and bridges
are in favor of the measure. 1t is esti-
mated that it viii cost the State $780,
coo a year for the next two years to
carry out it's provisions,
Both Houses adjourned until Tues
day morning at 1920 o'clock.
The following order has been issued
by the adiutant general:
1. Ely authority vested in the Com
mander-in-Chlef under Section AZ of
Chapter 2s of the Public Laws of 1898.
Company II, 2d Regiment of Infantry,
n. G. S. NJ, is hereby disbanded, it APP
pearing upon reports received after
thorough investigation, that this COM
pany has fallen below the proper
standard and has failed to comply with
the laws. regulations and discipline
governing the service. The enlisted
mon Of the company are hereby honor
ably discharged from the service of the
State.
H. The commanding officers of Com
many II will at once fill out discharge
papers for each enlisted man under his
and forward them to this
office. Upon the receipt and completion
of the same. the designations of the
officers of Company n
will be forwarded and they will be
discharged.
III. Major Albert t. ShurtleT, re-