Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-08

the State suffers since the losses OF
these citizens I'm the aggregate repre-
sent real decrease in its own re-
sources. Certainly no definition Of ex-
can bring within it's mean
ing the suggestion that If the State has
money to spend il could be better used
in the work Of the Cattle Commissioner
than in moving the capital. The
farmer should receive a fair and quick
return from the State for the property
which the State destroys. Money for
this particular work is needed ard
needed badly, more for instance, than
is the relocation Of the capital.
The need Of assistance from the
State in building good roads is real
one. No one can deny their benefit
and if there is money to spend at all
no one could denominate their con-
structon as an extravaganza. But
nevertheless, while certain interests
talk glibly Of spending millions Of the
peoples money in relocating the capt.
tai and building new State House,
the State, instead of aiding towns IN
the construction Of good roads, COM
peIs each one to bear the whole burden
of maintaining the highways within it's
borders so that they shall be safe ana
convenient for public travel, no matter
how poor the town or how few its in
habitants.
OF course, if the State is poor, that
is another matter. But instead OF
spending the millions involved in NOV
ing the capital on such extravaganza,
mot to use a harsner term might
no eG n
contribute to the maintenance Of its
highways. not only for the indubitable
good of the farmer, but also for that
Of its general travelling public? Even
Iiow the Road Commissioner has rec
commended a bill which. proposing CO.
operation between the State and the
various towns in the distribution of the
burden incident To good road construc-
ton and maintenance, involves the eX-
penditure of 100000 OF the States
money Is it worth while to ask which
would benefit the public mOre-the re-
moval of the State capital to Portland,
or the investment of a part of the
money which such an extravaganza
would involve in carrying out the
work which the passage of this bill
would make possible? Here is an
other real heed on which the State
money could be spent, to set against
the extravaganza of moving the State
capital.
Indeed, these needs, these legitimate
demands on the public purse multiply
so rapidly as to be able to call for
all the money which might be spent
in moving the capital. The list is TOO
long for discussion here. For exam
pie, all farming interests clearly see
the value TO them and 10 the State
Of an experiment farm for the study
of fruit culture, since the present hold
ings contain no suitable soil If the
State can afford to talk of a new cap
itOl, costing millions, why has not this
actual economic need involving only
thousands received attention?
The State University has done and
is doing a work of great value. 1t
should receive all the money it asks
in reason Tor the buildings and main
tenance. And there are bridges to be
built. taxes to be lessened. the poor TO
be cared for, the schools to be i'm
proved,-all the long list Of needs tor
State aid which have waited those
many years against the day when the
State might afford 10 help them in
their legitimate demands. 1t seems u
poor reward for this patience and a
poor reward for the spirit in which it
has been shown that now there should
come a proposal to spend far more of
the States money than any one or any
ten of them have ever dared to ask.
not in their behalf. but fOrsooth. for a
Gargantuan financial undertaking in
the shape of moving the capital and
building a new State House.
Two phrases tell the whole story
the recommendation of the Legislative
Committee of the State Grange, I'VE
believe We should stand wholly against
extravaganza, and the definition of
that extravaganza, 'the spending of
money, whether in small amounts or
large, for those things which are not
actually needed to the exclusion of
those things which are. constitutes the
very definition of extravaganza"
1t remains only to decide as to what
is needed-whether it is the moving Of
the capital to Portland or. as the
record Of years ana economic needs of
the State would seem to show, whether
ii is not the spending of the States
money in satisfying those real and
legitimate needs. Surely there can be
but one decision.
Personal Notes.