Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-22
THE BANQUET SPEECHES.
Interesting Talks by Local Speakers al
Board of Trade.

Tho Journal is glad to give in fun
the addresses of the two local speakers
at the recent Board Of Trade Banquet
"ManufaCtUreS" WIS responded to By
Hon. w. G. Johnson, who said in part:
The subject of manufacturing in our
state and city, is a matter of vital i'm
portance to all citizens. For upon thu
prosperity and health OF it's industries
depends the welfare and progress of
ever community.
On speaking on this question | feel
very much inferior to the task.
1t is a subject, not only of vital i'm
pOrtance to the well being of our city
at the present time, but to a greater
degree. it holds the destiny of our
children and their children yet unborn.
To say that the manufacturing in
forests throughout our State has been
in the past seriously neglected by its
citizens is putting it in the mlideSt
language possible, and yet nature has
done more for our state by natura
resources. which are the choicest Of
Heavens blessings upon q peop!c-and
to any other state | can bring to my
mind. Maine has some wonderful
natural advantages for manufacturing.
Our rivers our sea coast, natures great
highway old ocean for transport ltion
and our wonderful undeVcloped water
power which when properly harncjScd
would almost supply the world "ltn
power,
For the lack of interest in manufac-
turing in our State. | think we have
several reasons, chief among them. be-
ing the lack of capital. Notwithstand-
ing orr peoDle of Maine have deposited
in the Savings Banks of our state
more than SS6.000,0oo, besides tho
millions sent out of the State for in
vestinents.
Maine is not a wealthy State. We
have very few wealthy men; quite Il
| few in good circumstances. ana as IL
| takes money to run large manufacture
| ing plauts. here is where a man some
times reaches his first handicap. ana
is also the dcarth of manufacturing IN
| o,,r cities. 1t is a historical fact that
| money has been much easier obtalncl
for fake purposes than it could be for
building up home manufactures. yet
canital invested in honest manufac-
turing. handled by men who are willing
| 70 work and guided by the spirit OF
|
nrofit to the investor and be the great
est benefit to the city of its location.
| Any snan, or men, that go TO any
/ community and invest his. or thell
capital. is entitled to the royal support
of every good citizen in that com
munity.
| 1t is for your interest. and my inter-
est. to support our industries.
Another difficulty that is injurious TO
the manufactures OF Maine is one that
all Maine manufactures suffer more
! or less from, is this. there is an uncon-
| scious spirit of disloyalty that pervades
| our state. that have never witnessed
in any other State, and that is in ad-
yising and influencing young men and
Young women for the western fields OF
which they absolutely know nothing.
l have met them in every state, some
| whose career has been no greater thar
ours and some with a brilliant RECORD
that makes the heart of every man ano
woman swell with native pride, and nc
doubt il they had remained in the state
of their birth 4Asir career would have