The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-03-16

Iuot lille eIIOFC III eOuc6tlnG the people
would yield splendid results in every way.
2. Another preventable scourge is ty-
phoid fever, which takes off about 200
every year. The State has much to saw
about what the people shall not drink,
but does not make much provision for
what it shall drink. For every one that
dies of alcoholism, Is die Of typhoid and
200 of tuberculosis.
WANTED IN TRANSPORTATION.
l. Better roads. Although we are
somewhat handicapped by spare popula-
ton and low values, yet we can and
ought to have better highways than we
have ever had before. A persistent and
consistent policy must be carried out.
Names great attractions as resort and
her still greater natural resources both
need better roads in order to get men
into the State and to get products out
and about. We need good through lines
into the State, which will mean more
cottagers and travellers and greater ease
for all industries.
2. Every possible advantage in freight
rates, for to very large extent the
whole industry of the State depends upon
this one vital point. The transportation
companies hold the future life of the
State. Our water powers are handicap
ped and population cannot expand with
out advantageous rates into and out of
the State.
8. Improvement of railway stations
and routes. The most of the railway
sites can be much improved at little cost
of planting and fixing up. Along the
lakesides and river banks good improve
ments can be made by cutting the bushes
which obstruct the view. They should
be cut however so as to give the best
effect, often left in clumps and vistas.
Cutting for scenic effects is not so costly
as wholesale slashing.
4. The control of weeds along the rail-
way lines and the public highways in
general is a more important matter than
it is usually thought to be, and should
receive serious attention
WANTED IN EDUCATION.
l. Agricultural high schools and agri-
cultural education to permeate the whole
common school system.
2. Trade and industrial schools in the
principal centers Of population and in
dustry.
8. Departments of gas and electric
enginery in the leading high schools,
open afternoons and evenings for the
whole population. Here is one of the
most pertinent, imperative demands of
the age.
4. More practical domestic arts and
science instruction for girls.
5. More and better paid teachers, and
greater cooperation between the school
and the parents, who ought to take a
more efficient part in the education of
the young children.
WANTED IN MAINE LITERATURE.
l. A handbook of agriculture, horti-
culture and animal breeding for the farm
ers of Maine, which will make it easy to
get printed information of the most prac-
teal and modern kind, of the crops, ami
mails and methods adapted to Maine eli
mate and soil. We need more book farm
ing, but, books based on local experience.
2. A descriptive directory of all the
Maine resorts on the sea and lakes and
in the woods, something reliable, COM
prehensive and Illustrated. The trans
portation companies and Maine resort
keepers would be glad to aid in the pro-
duction of Maine Book. Outlines of
trips by boats, trains and canoes would
be very useful to both citizens and visi-
tors; such book would open up Maine
and make it easier for outsiders to come
to US.
3. An automobile roadbook. Anybody
who has tried to move about the State in
an automobile knows how difficult it is to
find the best routes, for there is no good
road-book of the State, but one is needed
by thousands of people.
4. Poetry. We need collection of
poetic literature relating to the State
and her people, also Maine song book,
which shall express some of the deep
sentiment which the people feel for their
native State.
GENERAL WANTS.
The States greatest economic oppor-
tunity is in the opening Of its water pow
ers for the development of industrial
enterprises and the increase of popula-
ton. Private interests should not be
allowed to prevent the general growth
of the State, and if State control or
ownership is necessary for the fullest
development, it should be adopted at
once. Maine almost gave away her wild
lands, and now shall she tumble this last
of her great natural opportunities, by
permitting her water powers to go I'M
developed because of the lesser private
interests?
There are hundred other important
interests of the State not mentioned
here, which should be followed up and
developed before ''192O"; some Of them
are not mentioned because everybody is
thinking of them already and there seems
to be no need of urging them.
The most important thing at present is
to get busy, to bring the people together
and work up a spirit of cooperation on
local problems. These community and
town situations cannot be improved until
the public is aroused and effort made.
But mighty things can be accomplished
before 1920" if those who are interest
ed now will get to work. Many of the
things suggested here do not take any
money to speak of, and they can all be
started at once.
Let each citizen and each community
look about for opportunities for improve
ment of a practical nature, and they will
find the fields and streets and parks and
public and private places ready for the
harvest.
THE SPOILS OF THE VICTOR'S.
With the passing of the 61st congress
goes more than 1000, 600 in patronage