Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-14

cussion at this time would seem to be
unnecessary.
The facts which constitute the basis
of the report signed by four other
members Of the committee on public
buildings and grounds and myself were.
IS You know, stated in the form of a
memorandum and submitted to the
1t gislature. together with the removal
bill. These facts are so obvious, their
successful refutations so entirely out
IF the question. and are all so familiar
to the members of this body. that l
shall not intict a rehearsal of them up
on you.
The Governor. in his message. re-
ferl ed in unmistakable terms to the I'M
fitness. sanitary and otherwise. and the
utter inadequacy of the offices and
rooms of many of the State depart
ments and strongly recommended the
adoption Of some remedy at this SEES
son. Had the question of capital re-
moval not arisen he committee TO have
been consistent With decency and
proper regard for the dignity of the
State ami the proper transaction OF It's
growing Dt:s:ireS=. Departmental ana
Legislature ", ll..i hare been obliged to
report "a this Legislature Il recommen-
datiOn for IN appropriation to cover the
cost of d complete renovation of TINS
building ard in addition. the erection oil
"A separate building for the accommoda-
ton of the State officials.
Portland is not one of those cities in
which-to use the words of Augusta
eloquent and distinguished citizen who
appeared in her behalf, wealth has ac-
cumulated to such an extent that her
men have decayed; in fact she IS so
| far from having entered upon that
| stage of her existence that anyone
who has spent even the shortest per-
| iod of time within her limits, must
| have come in contact with the obvious
and overwhelming proofs to the con-
| trary. and every member of this body
cannot be unaware of the fact that
| for an infinite variety Of reasons the
Forest city is universally regarded as
| one of the very best cities, if not alb
| soutely the finest from residential
standpoint upon the American CONT
nent.
She has made a splendidly generous
| offer: not to us: not to the members
| of this Legislature. She has not even
| asked that we assume the responsible
| ity of accepting it at her hands; she
| has asked us merely to act as the in
strumentality through which the entire
people may by their votes indicate
their will relative to this important
| matter. While that part of the Gov
ernor's message to which i have re-
ferred, was. under consideration to-
| 2ether with joint order directing us
| to inquire into the expediency of a
| removal of the capital, the citizens of
| Portland recognizing the benefit that
would result to her if the State House
We're erected within the limits of
| their city.-realiZing that a removal
| should take place, if at all, before the
State had incurred further expense in
| repairs upon this building, and believ-
| ing that such a change would be
equally advantageous to the State,
| submitted an offer with that end in
view, which after mature elaboration.
We have incorporated into bill and
turned over TO you for your consider
alton.
| This is supposed to be, and l believe
| is, dcliberatiVe body. and as such it
is our first duty, in preparing to make
| such an important decision as that
which we shall soon be called upon to
| render. to shake off all influences aris-
ing from personal friendship for citi-
| ZenS living in one city or the other,
| divorce ourselves from the prejudice
incidental to our respective geographic
| cal locations. in fact rid ourselves of
every selfish personal consideration
and register our votes in favor of that
| action which in our judgment will
| most effectively promote the best in
| terests of our beloved State and lead
| ultimately to the most desirable re-
suits for her entire citizenship.
| This is matter which concerns and
| ought to interest every person in this
| commonwealth and most certainly we
should not permit it to be degraded to
| the level of an unfriendly controversy
between the inhabitants of any two
of her cities.
| There is not a senator present who
| can fail to recognize the fact that there
are in the city Of Portland alone, not
to mention the rest Of county Of Cum
bcrland and that Of York. thousands
of voters in excess of the number re-
qured in order to conform to the terms
of either of the referendum bills which
will shortly be favorably reported and
| given to us for our consideration.
| What reasonable excuse can any one
who believes in the referendum idea
| have for his refusal to permit the offer
Of this great municipality to go to the
people, to whom it has been made?
| Mr.. HESELTON: May ! ask the
| senator from Lincoln if his analogy
| would not aDplV if the citv was IISad
as a unit in connection with the
| State?
Mr.. CLARKE: The city is the nat
|