Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-21
General Opposition toCspi-
tai Removal Scheme,
People There Are Getting ARGUS.
cd on the Subject.
They Realize the Menace Of Port.
lands Bunco Game.

Lewiston, Me-, March 20.--People liv-
ing in Lewiston and Auburn as we'll as
the farmers Of the surrounding dis
tricts, are outspoken in their protests
against the removal of the State capi-
tai to Portland. They say to do such
a thing would be the. worst piece of
legislation ever enacted in Maine. The
vote Of the Senate yesterday proved an
eye-opener for some of the local citi-
zens.
Lewiston and Auburn people were
much surprised yesterday when the
news reached here that the Senate
had voted II to 10 for the passage Of
the bill to change the seat of govern
ment to Portland. Many couldn't I'M
derstand how it happenedI Others
said it was simple enough to expl1in.
"Who is paying for the liberal aiver-
Using space in all of the papers in
the State, daily and weekly, which ls
devoted to telling why the capital
should be moved and how little it is
going to cost the people of the state
outside of Portland?' asked one man.
Continuing he said: at looks to me
as though there 5 a large bundle Of
green goods being freely distributed
by the Portland folks to get their bi:
through the Legislature. somebody is
getting this money. Lots of it is o.
ing spent. The people Of the State had
better wake UP before it is TOO late"
Deputy Sheriff A. c. Frost Cf Wales,
was in Lewiston yesterday and he says
the farmers in his town are greatly
stirred up over the question of n"
capital removal. "And the farmers
in all parts of the State should oppose
the bill, and rs 4 matter oc fact /
haven't found Il single farmer that IA
vors the change of the seat of govern
ment.' said Mr.. Frost. Eyes, am
strongly opposed to it. 1t would mean
a setback to the eastern part Of the
State that never could be overcome.
And then the farmers will have TO pay
the cost This is all very nice talk
that Portland is cutting before the
public but it doa%n bear close i'll
spection. 1t is 50 tain that one can
see through it without the all nf
glass. To move the capital D Port
land would be an insane thing to DO
and the poor farmer would nave 10
bear the burden. Their taxes would
be incr eased anI they will hay" l"
dig themselves gray-headed for the
pleasure Of giving Portland a boost.
II isn't fair to the whole people ol 'he
State Portland is beautiful Guy
but why should she have everything
that the whole people Of tho state
can produce. There are other clties
in Maine. Why ruin some OF the
smaller cities and bankrupt the farm
ers for the sake of enriching Portland
and adding to her beauty
"Tho trouble is continued Mr.. Frost.
"many of the farmers haven't looked
into the matter much, as they nave
felt sure that there was no danger Oh
Portland landing the prize. Very many
peorle seem 10 think that there IS
lot of hot air to it. but 1t IS pam
enough now that Portland means puSl-
ness. She is spending her money
freely for advertising and her repre-
sentatives think of and talk of nothing
else but moving the capital Inc cost
to the State Of moving the capital VIII
be at least three times what Portland
estimates the cost. 1t looks to me as
though she is trying to blind the pco-
pla's eyes to the real conditions
prominent Lewiston man express
sed surprise that Androscoggin Seha-
tors should vote with the Portland
folks to move the capital IF Portland
gets the capital, it surely Will beli'tie
Lewiston" said he. Portland is NOT
the only city in the State and its IN
terests are not the only interests OF
Maine. l sincerely hope the bill Will
be defeated in the House