Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-09
Information For the Argus.

arguments advanced by them for NOV
ing the capitol to Portland. In fact,
we make bold to say that it has been
the only argument in favor of such
step worthy of any consideration.
Portland citizens and Portland papers
have iterated and reiterated it. 1t is
certainly the only argument which
ever received even semblance consid
ration throughout the State.
| We wish to make ourselves clear TO
the Argus in answer to its commend
able demand for knowledge We feel
it our duty in the role of educator to
do SO. Therefore we will state the
proposition i'll the simplest terms pos
sible trusting that the Argus will IN
derstand them. Given desirable hotel
accommodations in one city and STATE
capitol in another, with the necessity
of having both in the same city, it is
necessary,as we believe the Argus will
see, either to build a new capitol in
the city where the hotels already ex-
list or new hotel in the capitol city.
Obviously also, common sense would
dictate that in choosing between these
alternatives. the more economical of
the two be selected. To build new
capitol in Portland would cost several
million dollars of the States money.
To build a suitable hotel in Augusta
will involve say rising $1OO, 900 of which
the State will contribute not a cent.
| Now remembering that lack of hotel
accommodations in Augusta has been
| the only argument which Portland has
advanced for moving the capital that
has been considered worthy of a sec
ond thought throughout the State. W.
submit that the unimpeachable promise
Of Augustus citizens to furnish ade-
quate hotel facilities ct low rates in
| this city has removed the only argu-
mert worthy Of any consideration
| which Portland has ever advanced foi'
moving the capital. On what other
| ground could the expenditure of so
large a sum of the peoples money be
| seriously advocated? And when the
Argus speaks of the demands for a new
| capitol (which the whole State will be
proud Of we submit that if associa-
ton. if historic memories. or if
| patriotism count for anything, the peo-
pie Of the whole State can never have
capitol Of which they can be more
proud than the present one.
| And Furthermore if the esteemc!
Argus still cannot see the connection
between Augustus new hotel and tbs,
proposal to move the capitol TO Port
land we quote herewith for its further
enlightenment from the Watervillc
| Sentinel Of February Sth:
Augusta shows commendable enter
prise in raising 100000 to furnish ade-
quate hotel accommodations for future
Legislatures. thus taking away the only
argument advanced for the changing
of the capital which has even a SEM
blance of strength
Ignorance is only a sin when it is
premeditated. or when no struggle is
made against it. Therefore in view Of
the laudabe efforts of the Argus to
overcome it's ignorance we shall re-
frain Of counscling it to sin no more.
We believe in education, even for the
| hoo ,tt OIL n u
flatcrnal feeling solely for the benefit
of the Argus. For we do not believe
that the people OF Maine for which it
Processes to speak, share with it the
deep and painful ignorance indicated by
the question it puts. Rather we be-
Ii, We. with a belief that is a certainty
n 50 far as that part of the State iii
which the capital is located at present
is concerned, that any citizen of Maine,
VINO had had one-half the opportunity
which the Argus has enjoyed to be-
come conversant with the facts, could
have explained to the Argus the cor
relation for which it 50 eagerly seeks
for the Maynard child, rather than i'll
resentment to the undeserved humi!ia-
ton, will the people of Maine lightly
cast aside the burden of Ignorance
which our dear brother of the Argus
would lay upon them. They under
| stand