Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-01

idea, this OF Dl0dlnS LOT tne ola.o
House! 1t is the business of tire State
of Maine and only of the State, 10 pro-
vide suitable buildings for the housing
of the State government, and OFFERS
from Portland or anywhere else OF
S1OO, 800 or $4,000 (supposing they are
not bluffs for the purpose of providing
n new State House seem rather lnper-
tinent. Even if the State of Maine We're
not able to attend to her own affairs.
in the right way and at the right time
even if she is not just at this minute
in financial condition to undertake the
erection of a new capitol, can anyone
point out the city in Maine that IS any
better off, or that hasn't need OF all
the money it can raise for other p''r-
poses? Rich men, in their private ca
paciry, might very we'll afford to put up
| half Il million dollars, or million, but
there is no city in Maine that hasn't
more troubles of its own financially
than it can attend to, let alone extend
ing unsolicited aid to the State in The
matter OF house building.
| Even if Portland We're TO offer
enough money-Say couple OF millions
| of dollars, to build and equip n new
State House there, and the oher were
to be accepted, the people of Maine, or
d great majority of them. would Dc
sorry for it before many years. FIRST
of all, Portland is away off in the
southwest corner CT the State. bangor
| is the only populous town near the geo.
graphical centre, and very soon, at the
present rate of growth in the northern
and eastern parts of Maine. Bangor VIII
come pretty near being the centre or
populati Bangor is easy of access,
and n fine place after you get I" 1t.
And it is getting better and brighter
every day Always was famous as the
most cheerful town of its size in the
country. Just like a little bit OF Il Big
city set down here i'll che woods. So
unlike Portland. or any of the rest OF
them for that matter. Doesn't give you
the blues. Ask the travelling men.
| The Portlanders want the capital
moved from Augusta because in Au-
gusta you can't get anything to eat
| Well, III Portland you can't get any
think to drink-that is if the Press and
Express are to be depended upon.
Now, in Bangor no one ever yet died
of either thirst or hunger.
l NNA>
most desirable site, however, the legls-
lature and all the State officers might
try both Portland and Bangor. Next
session, for the coming two years, let
the city of Portland provide temporary
accommodations for the State depart
ments, and turn over the City Hall for
use as q legislative chamber during the
sessions of that body. Next time. let
| Do 40 I've Thay, n
Result would be about three to one in
favor Of Bangor.
Or. put the State House on wheels,
and give every place show.
What is the value to any city in u
business way, of having State gov
eminent in it's midst?" Has anyone
ever figured this out? OF course, it Is
worth something. The building has
to be heated and lighted and kept in
repair. and there are jobs for few
caretakers. Then. some Of the State
officers will be residents. and the 9TH
ers will come at frequent intervals.
while as in our case, the Legislature
meets once in two years. remaining
two to three months. There are 1872
members of the Maine Legislature and
the various employees and hangers-on
hands and the cook might bring the
total number up to 400--call it 500. for
good measure. and suppose the 500 are
on hand every day for three months.
If it cost each of them an average of
$40 a week to live. that would be $1,000
il week, or 100000 for twelve weeks. for
the whole bunch. Raise the limit to
SIS week average, and we have
500. 900. Then there is some printing
and book bindirg-but no such cinch
now as in the olden days, and some ad-
vertsing for the local paper selected rs
the official paper OF the State.
All of this, whatever the total Of il
may be. is considerable for little
town like Augusta, but il ought not Il
cut much Of figure in the business Of
place Of Portland's size. unless that
city has become more somnolent than
usual.