Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-04
POPULATION CENTER BEST.
Connecticut Like Maine Located
Capital Near That Point.

Hartford, Conn, Feb. 3.-(SpeciaD.-
Concerning the proper location of state
capitals, Governor Rollin S. Woodruff
said, this afternoon: In my opinion
the capital of u state should be the
town or city most convenient and Access
sihle to all the people of the common
wealth. There are of course many fac
tors TO be taken into consideration in
deciding this question of convenience
and accessibility, one Of the most i'm
portant being that of transportation.
In Connecticut, Hartford was chosen
because Of its central location although
New Haven is larger by many thous-
anis so far as population goes. For all
the people of all the states city that
can be readily reached from all dircc-
tions is preferable, regardless of its
size. If it happens to be the most pop
ulous and is the most important indus
trially and business-why SO much
the better. The business of a state can
be more conveniently and more quickly
administered from centrally located
capital than from one otherwise stu
ated This is especially true as regards
| the sessions of the General Assembly
in Connecticut when the capital must
be reached daily by the legislators and
others connected with that body. l
repeat that I believe the question of To-
cation resolves itself altogether into
that of easy accessibility and convel-
fence from all standpoints as in Con-
lnecticut."
| Secretary of State Theodore BOden-
vein said: The capital Of state
should be in its most important city for
these reasons: AS rule that city uSu-
! ally has the best transportation facili-
ties and is therefore the most easily
accessible for everybody throughout
the state It's business interests are
naturally larger therefore the state can
II better transact its business there. Of
| course, if that city is centrally located
II is altogether a desirable combination
Such happens to he the case in Connec-
| lticut and. wears ago when the state had
1.-two capitals. Hartford and New Haven
| Hartford was selected as the single cap
| itaI because of its central location and
the facilities which it would afford tine
Il state for the convenient transaction OF
| its business and as being easy of acces:
for its legislators and state officers. Al
that time. 20 years ago, too. there was
peep into the future with the belle
that Hartford would grow big and i'm
portant with the passing years. Th'
belief is being amply fulfilled"
Iii School Funds Commissioner Carno
Spencer said: 1T seems to me thai
the question of accessibility is the prin
cipal one in discussing what is tbs
| most desirable location for a state cap
ital That was & deciding point il
Connecticut so years ago. and thu
choice of Hartford has been fully JUST
fled. | Gun conceive of a condition il
some state where centrally located
city " ould not be convenient as cap
ital, but other things being equal l be
lieve that central city should be chosen
That city that can be easiest reached
and can keep in touch with the whol'
state the easiest. which is the case will
Hartford. is to my mind the prope'
place to he designated as the capital
A few thousands III population one wa,
or the other does not make much dit
ference"