Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-14
MIR. HEATHS MASTERY EFFORT,
Eloquent Speakers From Many
Sections OF State Declare 0ppo-
sition to Capital Removal.

"Wednesday was decidedly the day of
those opposed to the proposition to
change the State capital from Augusta
to Portland. 1t was q hearing cOntin-
ued from two weeks earlier before the
committee on public buildings and
grounds. and the hall of the House was
packed during the whole afternoon and
evening. Portland had put in it's case
two weeks earlier-an offer of $500 900
to be raised by a bond issue by the
City if the present State House would
be abandoned and a new one built in
Portland It had nothing new TO offer
Thursday and it's case looked very slim
after the remOnstrants had been
heard.
Those who spoke in opposition We're
Hon. Forrest Goodwin of Skowhegan,
eXPresident of the Senate, who con-
Quoted the case for the remOnstrants;
Hon. c. S. Hichborn of Augusta, who
explained the organization of the new
hotel company ard the pledge of this
city that there shall be adequate hotel
accommodations at reasonable rates in
tho future; G. J. Dunn of Orono, ex-
member Of the Legislature. who voiced
the opposition of Eastern Maine to any
change in the location Of the capital;
Representative Rufus Il. Stevens Of
JonespOrt. who frankly confessed that
he had earlier favored removal, but
had experienced change of heart since
hearing of tho decided sentiment of his
county against it; Hon. John p. SWascy
of Canton, who voiced cloquently the
opposition of oxford county; Hon. Mil
ton l.. Merrill of St. Adams. ex-senator
from Somerset, who spoke for the prac-
tically unanimous opposition of the
Grange to the proposed change; Hon
Henry Hudson Of Guilford who voiced
in vigorous fashion the opposition of
Pscataquis; and then last of all. Hon.
Herbert NJ Heath in one Of the great
est speeches heard in the State House
III the memory Of man. summing up the
case of the rcmonstrantS.
It was a wondt rful effort which Mr..
Heath made and the memory Of it will
long live with the hundreds who were
fortunate enough to hear it. The weight
of his argument crushed the life out of
what remained Of Portland'S case. and
with his convincing logic and stirring
elouucncc he swept everything before
him 1t was a fitting climax for the af-
tTTn0On. ana WnCH ne ClpScu dllci
Speaking for an hour and half no.
BODY blamed tho Portland contingent
for wanting to adjourn till evening be-
fore presenting their closing argument.
The hearing was called for p. NJ.
and everybody seemed in doubt as to
where it WAS going to be held. Finally
the temperance committee gave up its
claim to the hall of the House and
agreed to hold the resubmission hearing
in the Senate chamber. At 2.13 the COM
mittce on public buildings and grounds
succeeded in forcing its way through
the tam Of humanity into the hall and
Chairman Curtis called the crowd to
order. Mr. Reed of Portland stated that
his city had completed its case at the
earlier hearing and had nothing new to
offer. There was more or less sparlng
between him and NJ. Goodwin as to
whether Portland might not put in
something new later in the day. but
finally Chairman Curtis declared that
the committee was ready to hear any
thing from any body at any time on
the subject. Then Mr.. Goodwin opened
the program by 4 powerful speech in
orpc sition to capital removal and was
followed by the others as mentioned
above.