Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-14
VIGOROUS OPPOSITION.
Continued from Page One.)

d
map and take the census figures OF
1900. 1t is found that 391,676 people
could reach Augusta easier than they
could reach Portland; 1854 could
reach Portland easier than they could
reach Augusta, and for 10000 one city
could be reached as easy as the other
NOBODY knows how much a new State
House would cost 1t would be neces-
sary to abandon this building utterly
and build new structure costing mil
lions Of dollars, for no better reason
than to crafty the pride Of the Cum
berland metropolis.
Referendum is suggested in this
matter. Certainly if the committee is
to report legislation expedient, the
referendum should be attached, but a
referendum Is no reason for passing a
bill. Let us not cloud a political cam
paign by any unnecessary referendum.
"Other states have had experience
In recent years, in building capitals,
and here is what some Of them have
cost: Kansas, s3,200,0O0; Mississippi,
$1,000.0 900. besides the grounds; In
diana, 100000. besides the grounds;
Massachusetts. s6.997 900; New York,
$23, 1921 800: Michigan, s1,400,000; Min
nesota. s4,50O,000: Wisconsin, Sc, O0O,-
600; Rhode Island, $4,000, 900; Iowa. 81
$4,000; South Carolina, $500, 900;
Pennsylvania, s13,O00,00O. If Maine
should build a capital, is it likely they
would build one less expensive than the
little state Of Rhode Island? A capital
in keeping with the pride and position
of our State would cost surely some
100000 or 100000. Year after year
the Legislature has turned down ap-
preparations for worthy objects. Does
this Legislature want to deny the many
claims made upon it and spend the
peoples money in building palace in
Portland, while the people are denied
what they ask for and what the well
fare Of Maine demands?
We have come to this old State
House for four generations to legisIate
for the welfare for the people of Maine.
This beautiful structure is sacred to
the memories of Evans, Fessenden,
Morrill,, Hamlin, Blaine, Reed, Frye.
Dingley, Hale. and all of our earlier
eaders. Here they earned their first
lessons in craftsmanship. This capital
was good enough for them, it is good
enough for us. Our people have simple
tastes. They are satisfied with the
location of the capital and with the
kind of capital which we have. They
want no palaces on Bramhall hill or
on the Western promenade, and until
the people of Maine change their ma
ture they will never let the State capt.
tai be changed at the request of Port
land.
u Iteh hnr of ttloy ,tctl -pc
the next speaker and outlined the or
ganization of corporation by the pub
lic-spirited citizens of Augusta to build
an up-to-date hotel in this city as was
announced a few days ago in the COL
umns Of the Journal. Said Mr.. HIGH
born:
I'VE realized the need of such
building here and we have been plan
ming 1T for some time. This hearing has
only eliminated what had been in pro-
cess of development for months. The
association is organized with 100000
subscribed and is a genuine and bona
fi6e proposition. The association will
acquire the Augusta House property
and will use the $50. 900 and what more
is necessary to build an additiod to the
hotel to make it up-to-date in every
respect and sufficient for all the needs
Of the city and State. AS a guarantee
that low rates shall prevail One-half of
the $4,000 is subscribed in common
stock. upon which no dividends is ex-
pccted, and the other half is preferred
stock, upon which the dividends will
not be more than per cent. If we get
no return at all out of this investment.
it will be all right. The men who have
,,,k hni int In
10 times more and they will not whine
1t is not the first time that the leading
men of Augusta have shown such pub
lie spirit and it will not be the last"
Hon. Charles ]. Dunn of Orono was
the next speaker and told of the strong
sentiment in the eastern part of the
State against any capital removal. He
said: 81 have followed the arguments
closely and l cannot see any good rca
son for a change. If the capital is to
be moved it should go eastward, but
there IS NJ need Of removal. Ii the
State has any surplus money to spend.
let it be spent for the benefit of our in
sane. the hospitals and the schools.
rather than for any beautiful new cap
ital to adorn the city of Portland. This
capital compares well with those of
other states and the plea to abandon
it seems wholly uncalled for and alto
gether unnecessary"
Mayor Hastings of Auburn spoke
briefly aud declared that Androscoggin
county is opposed to any change. 1--WE
have taken the matter as a joke" he
said. but those who have discussed
1t seriously are opposed. The opposition
Of the Grange is especially strong"
Representative Stevens of JoneSport
was the next speaker. He said:
awhile ago | was on the other side of |
this question. but something has drop
ped down in Washington county. and
l have topped 20 the ranks of those |
opposed to the capital removal. have |
heard from the people down my way, |
and they want the capital to stay |
where it is. 1t is not because they |
love Augusta more and Portland less. |
but because they love their pocket /
books best of all. We honor Portland. |
but We believe she needs no new State |
House tn enhance her charms Bangor