The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-03-28

Augusta Remains the State
Capital.

DbdUuluk Ob ils NbN S'6NN
lv elevation, serene In It's quiet ms j4sty,
its magnificent front overlooking the
fertile valley of the winding Kennebec,
kissed by the rising sun, while its dome
rejects the glory of the setting sun, the
Maine State House stands where 1t has
stood for more than eighty years. And
there 1t will continue to stand. ALI its
sacred memories and historic and tender
associations will remain to teach the
rising generations aud future Legislators
that out from these walls went the
great men who have impressed them
selves upon the nation, yea, upon the
world, and within whose historic halls
has been shaped legislation that has made
Maine famous among her sister States.
Not only do our own people rejoice,
but glad will be the hearts of those sons
and daughters of good old Maine. who
have drifted away from our hearthstones
and sought their homes and fortunes In
other States, while tfeir tenderest
thoughts 90 back to the old home State
and its beauCl1ul cap,tol.
The capital removalists met their Wa
terloo In the House, on Thursday, the
vote standing 70 to Go against removal,
while on later test vote Ito reconsider)
those Who were in favor of removal to
Portland mustered only 5S Had not
the referendum been attached, the
measure would have died OF It's own
weakness in both branches, and there
would have been no fight. Many OF the
members sought to shirk their RESPONSE
bility and throw it off onto the shoulders
of their constituents. But it was in
every respect bogus referendum, with
none OF the saving features Of the bill
which has passed the Legislature. In
stead OF the people of the State asking
for removal, more than forty thousand
demonstrated against 1t. IL was thrust
upon the Legislature by the delegation
from Portland; its strength was mainly
local; while the people OF the rest Of the
State were almost solidly against the
project,
Aud then the cost of new capitol
was an unsolved problem. There were
no plans submitted, no specifications,
not even opinions, of competent archi-
tects; and legislators did not feel willing
TO throw away and abandon building
which is worth at least $4,000 900, to
enter upon building enterprise involv-
ing probably an expenditure of $5,000,-
900, and loading down their children and
children's children with burden of
taxes for an indie finite period.
This measure which has overshado"ed
and interrupted legitimate and necessary
legislation for most of the session, was
Justly and properly killed in the Legis-
ture where 1t originated, without trou-
bling the people to turn out at special
election. when the people of Maine
want to abandon the old State House,
and build elsewhere" said Mr.. johnson
of Waterville, in his mastery speech,
"they will say 80, and raise the money
for the purpose, and not depend upon
the charity Of Portland"
To the high honor and credit of every
member of the Somerset county delega-
ton, each and every man, both In the
upper and lower branches, voted and
used bis IL Huence against the measure.
We all feel just pride in that. The
leading speech on the floor of the House,
on Thursday, against removal, was made
by Hon. &. r. Dsnforth OF Skowhegan,
who was a member of the committee to
whom the subject WAS referred, and
could therefore speak intelligently and
with authority. His array of facts and
figures was unanswerable, and his calm
and dspassionate manner of presenting
them won the attention and admiration
Of his fellow members, by whom be is
held in the highest esteem.