Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-01
A Communication,
Augusta. March 80, 1907

II fidS IlcNcI bctIl lily 10
witness in any Legislative body, a more
contemptuous ignoring of the petit
tons of thousands of our best people.
or a more fragrant Misrepresentation
of Il great State. than that given by
our State Senate upon the question
Of State of Maine exhibit and the
reproduction Of the home of the poet
Longfellow as the Maine State build
ing at the jamestown Exposition
For nearly the whole session Il re-
solve was pending which provided for
a small appropriation. 1t was petit
toned for by representative people and
organizations from every county of the
State, women's clubs. press associa-
lions. teachers and school officers
bankers and professional men, mer-
chants ana manufacturers. farmers
and mechanics, mayors of cities, boards
of trade, all classes and conditions of
our people uniting in asking for the
action proposed. and not one remon-
STRANGE not scrap of paper or a voice
in opposition at the public hearings.
The following petition was unani-
mously adopted at the meeting of the
Maine Federation of WOmen's Clubs
at Augusta. Jan. %:
To the Honorable Senate and House
of Representatives of the State of
Maine. in Legislature assembled: The
Maine Federation Of Womcn's Clubs
urges YOUR honorable body to make Il
suitable appropriation for a State of
Maine exhibit at the jamestown En-
position. and the reproduction of the
home Of Longfellow as the Maine
State building at such exposition. be-
lievinS that the participation of our
State is desirable from every point of
view and that the home of one so uni
versally beloved as Longfellow. would
prove a shrine for multitude of Wis
itors and an ideal recognition by his
native State Of the centennial ami
vcrSary of his birth
1t was also unanimously adopted at
tn" Attn annual meeting Of the Maine
Press Association two days later
After her construction several other
of the Senate. the State Board of Trade
took the matter up at its scmi-annual
meeting at Lisbon Falls March II, and
after thorough discussion not only
unanimously adopted the above petit
of five Of its members to go to Augusta
and personally urge upon the Legisla-
turr the inheritance of the pending re-
solve. This committee persistently
urged the appropI iatiOn as matter Of
exceptional Importance to the business
interests of the State. but without any
OF the success that has 50 conspicuous
iy rewarded the efforts of professional
lobbyists upon any matter of doubtful
utility or questionable character.
TO the Senate, LongfclloW, whose
mare is held in affectionatc memory by
millions of old and young everywhere,
was only a poet and not politician,
and his birthplace, which should be one
Of the sacred spots of earth, may go
IN for all it cares to the crack of
doom as tenement house for want OF
$500. although it voted appropriations
for other purposes aggregating more
than $500, 900 AN increase of mere than
s. 100 GGn over that of last session.
To the Senate. the fact that the Pres
dent of the United States had invited
very state and nation to be represent
ID at the great International historical
and educational celebration at James,
LbN.l anu tIldt fIfSI ~ tlltii
every other New England state had
accepted. had no weight.
| 10 not believe that the thousands |
" no have pctitioned for "suitabl" ap-
will rest content with tho
lotion Of the Senate in refusing it.
10 not believe that the people of this
state will be satisfied to have Maine. |
which has the proudest motto Of any |
State in the Union, the only New Eng |
and state without a headquarters
building at the jamestown Exposition,
when the birthplace of the world
Test beloved poet may be reproduced
here for a few thousand dollars as
Centennial building
I do not believe that the business m
crcsts of Maine will tolerate a 40
nothing policy. when we have WITHIN
he borders of our state incXhaustipic
,at,,raI resources and manufacture
products to tn" amount of more tihh
100 00O 900 a year. Summer visitors
,rousht $40 .OOO. 900 dollars to our state
aet vear and this may he increased to
400 n0n 600 4 year by just such in5tru- !
as the jamestown EXPOSE
ion.
orr Exposition Commission Una" u
self i'm lust the position it occupied pc
'ora the Legislature met. having oeeh
.reated by the Legislature of 1000. DC
ieve that contributions of exhibits ana
,uilGing material may yet be secured
or the jamestown Exposition ana u i
dollar subscription provide sui
icient money. |
Your cooperation is desired.
ARTHUR c. JACKSON, ]
President state of Maine Exposition
Commission. |