The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-01-08
SkoWhegan All Right.

William NJ. Bradley, Esq, OF the law
firm, Bird &c Bradley Of Portland, was
In town last week attending 10 profess
sional business at the court house. He
had not been in Skowhegan for a decade
or more and to the REPORTER he express
ed surprise and pleasure at the marked
Improvement that had been made since
his last visit here. The business blocks
and stores, he said, were like those of
a city, the hotels attractive and home
like and everything indicated thrift,
business enterprise and municipal pros
perity.
Mr. Bradley is by no means alone IN
his estimate of the excellencies of our
town. Other people, who are inclined
to be observant concur with him In ex-
pressions of appreciation. Indeed one
has but to go to other places and look
them over to arrive at the conclusion
that Skowhegan is one of the very best,
all-around country towns in Maine or IN
New England. II any Skowhegan
citizen does not credit this statement we
ask him to pin 1t In his hat, take 1t into
consideration during his leisure mo-
ments, and let US know where the better
one is when he finds 1t. And this leads
US to say, incidentally, that our good
town enters the year 1903 with flying
colors. The year past has been one of
the most prosperous ones in its history.
Substantial progress has been made In
all lines. Success Is written in good
sized letters across the record of 1902
and the book is closed so far as adding
anything thereto, but it may be opened
for the purpose Of reading the bright
record of business advancement, munich
pal and public improvement.
Some weeks ago we published a detail
ed statement of our building operations
during the year then drawing to an end,
also of the condition Of our several
industries. The recapitulation was one
of which we may not be ashamed, attest
ing the enterprise and energy of our
business men and citizens generally and
making emphatic the fact that Skow.
hogan in all its material interests was
never in better-never in as good
standing as it is at the beginning of the
year 1903. We're census taken today
we believe a fair increase over that of
1Q00 uouId ha oboun Thoro hoe baa,,
an increase In valuation. Our streets,
bridges, walks, and public utilities
generally are improved over former
years and progress is the order of the
day in everything about our town, and
must be. There is no standing still in
affairs of a municipality or community
like ours, and should be none.
We must make our town attractive as
place of residence, where people can
come, enjoy superior advantages and
feel at home. Such is our town now,
and such we must keep it by improve
ment and advancement along all lines
for the public veal and in the interest
of home.naking. Our people have
shown their interest Ia this direction
heretofore and we expect they will
continue in this direction in all time to
come.
OF course, our town like most Maine
towns is seen at disadvantage In the
winter. Our Portland friend should
come here in the summer season when
the snow is off the ground, when we
can show him our long pieces of macad-
amized streets and longer stretches of
concrete side walk, such as some cities
having double the population cannot
excel. Our municipal officers and
street commissioners have way of
keeping things picked up about our
streets, walks and squares and are not
afraid to have them compared with the
public places in any town of like dimen-
sions in Maine or elsewhere.