Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-11

We have published letters from ou
,keenminded Readfeld friend from
time to time, on various topics. II,
usually hits the nail on the head" or
at least. so near to it as to make thu
sparks fly, but this time we wish t.
urge his letter for the thoughtful con.
sderation of our Maine readers. We
hope to have the privilege of exam.
lining his comments on those ''alluring
pamphlets. y
Editor Kennebec Journal:
| With "A population practically at Il
,standstill, which means the very op-
| posite of progress to country sooner
: or later, and numbers of the youngest
and best of Names sons leaving for
fresh fields and pastures new" ii
, would be interesting to know what Il
straight sound boy of say IS, possessed
with intelligence, energy and ambition
is considered by some of cur leading
men to be worth in money value TO the
State. l mean supposing such boy
leaves the State at the age of Is new
er to return and gives his work and
Intelligence to some State other than
his own.
Taking into account the terrible need
and necessity for our youth to sperd
their lives in their native state | sug-l
gest that such youth would be a bar
gain at a thousand dollars and a.
small percentage of our best would in
the case of very successful career.
be worth so times that amount
Assuming | am nearly correct in this
estimate, and l believe some of our
leading men would consider it con
sentative one, | would like to ask their
opinion of the policy of the committees
at ctr recent State Fair, who for the
sake of a paltry few dollars, permit
neighboring country to rob us of
some of the very cream of our youth
and manhood by exhibiting at our
State Fair examples of Canadian grain,
vegeta bles and roots, and aided by
glib, talkative men who by fair and
foul argument and alluring and mis-
leading pamphlets persuade men to
leave country which by comparison
with eastern Canada is about like leav-
ing milk and honey for ships biscuit
and skilly. The Canadian government
Is spending large sums in these colo
nizing schemes and does not seem to
mind just how she gets settlers so long
Government agents call attention to
the fact that large numbers of immi-
grants arrive in the country every
year but forget to also mention the
fact that the boats and trains leaving
the country are almost as full as those
arriving. loaded with Disguised, broken
and pennilesS men. or of these remain
ing behind, heart broken and staying
simply because their ALI is sunk in
the country and they are unable to
get away or too plucky to know when
they are beaten. 1t would be a very
simple matter to tear the so-called
facts they publish to shreds and few
real facts from one who has been there
ought to be a boon to those contemp-
lating The move. Could any sane
thinking man oe persuaded that
country devoid of wood and lumber
with no markets poor water and 50
per cent, forty below winter. of the
cruellest kind, ever become agrieultur-
ally great?
iIuW GbHlcS IL pOSSipit LOT gram,
roots and vegetables to be on view on
September list at Lewiston. supposed
~ Canadian grown, when the season
in practically the whole of Canada is
month later than here?
If it were not trespassing too much
on your space. l should be willing at
some future time. and for the editica
ton of those contemplating a change
to write some of the drawbacks
(Which these alluring pamphlets do
NOT contain1 of Western Canada.
MAY nc hcpe that the Fair commit
tee at Waterville and other large
shows will not permit this exhibit and
thus save members Of our own to
their native State; TO take a few dol
lars in this way is too much like SELL
ing ones own children.
Faithfully yours.
| CHAS o. ELNIN.
| East Readfield, Sept. Sth. h'h