Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-14

WI NCChS dS'B DIT the lIlSl T..
Mr.. Reed quoted from Governor Cobb's
address regarding the need of more
office room for the State departments.
He did not quote all the Governor said.
Governor Cobb recommended the
erecting or leasing of an office build
ing, but not the erection of q COM
plete new State House in another part
Of the State. An addition can be
built to the present State House at q
cost OF from $4,000 to $4,000, and there
is no argument in favor OF moving the
State capital to Portland because we
are crowded in our present quarters.
The departments which do not have
sufficient room. IS l understand it, are
those of the highway commissioner,
Sturgis commission, bureau of vital
statistics and the attorney general
Suitable accommodations for 80 years to
come can be provided for all the de-
partmcnt$ at an expense Of from $4,000
to $4,000. They say our present State
House i; an ancient structure. To be
sure, its architecture is as old as
Greece, ard its design is beautiful in
it's dignity and simplicity. 1t has with
stood the storms of IS years and IS
not married by the ravages Of time, and
l pray to God thai it may stand here
for generations TO come.
portland bases its chief argument
for removal and new capital on the
ground that hotel accommodations
here in Augusta are Inadequate. How
long is it since the moving of state
capitals has resolved itself on the ques-
ton of victuals? Tell Portland that
Maine does not want to abandon this
beautiful and historic structure which
is still adequate to the needs of the
State. and its only reply is
'victuals' Tell Portland that Maine
cannot afford to build q State House
costing millions Of dollars at this time,
and its only reply is 'victuals It's the
chief argument heard hero in the lon
bies by those advocating the change.
THE matter Of improving the hotel
accommodations here in Augusta viii
be explained to the committee later.
That will be attended to by the citi-
zcnS Of Augusta. There will be ample
hotel accommodation here when the
Legislature meets next time. AS Il
mattcr Of fact thrcc-fOurthS of the
members stay at private houses. They
cannot afford to stop at hotels upon
the salaries they receive. Portland
hotel rates are no lower than they are
here. ana it would be harder to find
accommodation in private houses III
Portland than it is in this city. Au-
Gusta is equal to any city in tn" spirit
Of hospitality with which it welcomes
those who come within its gates. Ger
tainly it's hospitality is generous and as
broad as that Of Portland can be.
when we come here VIC arc welcom-
cd to homes Of culture and re-
finmcnt. 1t is great event for
Augusta to have the Legislature meet
here. and the city treats its visitors ac-
cordingly A meeting Of the Lcgisla-
turc would mean nothing in Portland,
and the members would receive scant
| attention there. The Four Hundred of
Portland would never succeed in max
| ing the country members feel at home
Shall the State House go to Portland
simply because Portland wants it? OF
course Portland wants it. 1t wants it
| Just as a beautiful woman wants a
tiara of diamonds for her adornment.
'By it's geographical situation. Port
| land is able to exact toll from all who
enter or leave the State, and now to
| crafty it's pride and advance its
| prestige it wants the State House and
| offers 100000 as an inducement. Is
| the capital of Maine to be put UP al
| auction and knocked off to the highest
| bidder? Has the time come when the
wishes and convenience and welfare OF
| the people of Maine to be set aside t.
| please the rich and aristocratic city Of
| Portland? Esau sold his birthright fol
! mess of pottage. but Maine will not
| sell her State House for all Portland
| may be worth. now or at any time il
| the future. Not all the money Port
land can offer. not ten times 100000
| nor all the gold or influence and power
| which Portland has will ever move i
more than shutter from a skyligh
| of this building.
"Why should the capital of the Stat
be located far down in the southwes
corner. The center Of population il
Maine in 1890 was China, in this coun
ty: now it is in Somerset county, wher,
I live. Why not move it to Harmony
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