Oxford Democrat., 1909-10-26
Here and There.

Published sketches and descriptions
of the remodeled aud enlarged state
house that is to be, indicate that when 1t
is completed Maine will have capitol
which will not only be a matter of pride
10 its citizens, but a building that is
commodious and ample for the needs of
the state for generations. 1t has been
the purpose of the commission to pre-
pare plans which can be carried out with
in the appropriation already made. 1t
is the opinion of nOn-experts that II the
plans can be carried out on that basis,
the commission will have done well. 1t
is pleasing to know that the inside OF
certain parts of the present building,
which have been much patched and re-
patched, is to be torn out, and it is 10 be
hoped that in the process we shall get
rid of some of the existing entryways,
and cubby-holes, and catty corners, in
the maze of which a stranger is now in
danger of getting lost.
The New England Fruit Show is now
on in Boston, and the orchardists are
taking a commendable interest in it, both
as exhibitors and attendants. 1t
would be interesting to know in just
what degree we are indebted for the
existence Of this show to the importation
of Pacific coast apples into New England,
which began about two years ago. OF
course the thing was absurd on its face,
that apples should be brought from
Oregon into Maine, where we rsise the
best of apples, but il was fact, and 1t
gave a Jolt TO those having the fruit
interests at heart, which is leading to the
improvement of conditions in the fruit
industry 1t was realized that we must
not only improve our orchards and care
for them so they will do their best, but
the markets must also be looked after,
and this fruit show is doing good work
in exhibiting in better way than it has
ever been done before what is done here
in fruit raising. The results can not be
otherwise than beneficial to our growers.
In sense the world wearies of this
controversy over the north pole, and the
added question of DR.. Cooks ascent of
Mount Mckinley. Nevertheless, it must
be admitted that while judgment should
not vet be finally rendered, enough has
been produced TO cast serious doubts on
Dr. Cooks claims in regard TO both al
legged performances.
And by the way, as a side issue in the
discussion, attention is called anew to
the explorers code Of ethics, as enunciat-
ed by Professor Herschel c. Parker, the
noted mountain climber. While he will
have nothing to do with DR.. Cook, Pro-
fessor Parker announces that be and Bel
more Brown will attempt the ascent OF
Mount Mckinley next year, and he
mixes the announcement at this time,
that according to the accepted practice
among explorers, no one else may under
take the trip until they have had their
chance. The code thus enunciated was
violated By Dr. Cook in starting for the
north pole when Peary was already max
ing preparations for a trip over nearly
the same route. 1t must be confessed
that from the point of view of the aver
age man, this code seems rather far
fetched, if indeed not as absurd as the
code, now so happily outgrown, which
once prevailed in ''sifairs of honor"
Topsham fair receipts are the largest
ever this year. That doesn't Indicate
any uuprofitableness in running clean
show.