The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-01-22
THE PINE TREE STATE.

In a return of the total valuation of the
cities, towns and plantations of Maine,
just made by the State Board of Assess
ors to the governor and council, there ap-
pears an interesting basis of comparison,
not only with its own record of year
ago, but with its immediate neighbors of
this section. The showing is quite
a satisfactory one. 1t indicates healthy
growth and definite increase in prop
erty of over thirteen millions. This is
not based upon revaluation of old
possessions but upon an addition of new
ones. An analysis shows some significant
changes in the character of such prop
erty. For instance, there is a gain of
nearly million in the value of live stock,
and this in spite of the fact that sheep
have decreased to the extent of nearly
thirteen thousand, and cows about three
thousand, though there has been de-
cided gain in the number of cattle. This
may mean that the recent movement,
already referred to, toward raising cattle
for oeef, has already made some practical,
progress. Like the other States of this
section Maine appears to be heading to-
ward the extinction of the sheep-raising
industry, which is unfortunate, especially
as the State has unsurpassed opportunl-
ties for making it profitable.
One of the wealthiest and most popu-
lous sections of the country is New
England and virtually half its area is IT,
cluded in the State of Maine. But the
present inventory of its possessions sug-
gests the extent to which it is still unde-
veloped. Its total valuation is trif1e
over four hundred and thirty millions.
Of course, such figures must be accepted
with caution because the basis OF assess
ment varies so much between States
that it fails to afford ground for just
measure Of comparison. Upon the face
of the figures the valuation Of the whole
State is only little more than quarter
of the city of Boston. The total valua-
ton of her twenty cities, which has ad-
vanced nearly six millions during the
past twelvemonth, is $193, 3O2,7 or
considerably less than twice that of the
town of Brookline.
The report, studied by one unfamiliar
with the history and progress OF Maine,
would hardly convey to his mind the idea
of the older settlements. A part of it
refers to instruction given the board by
the Legislature with respect to 1.-THE ex-
1918 and 1914" ''Exploration" seems
like somewhat curious enterprise to set
on foot in one of our New England States,
but evidently there is reason for it. Two
members of the board, with:its secretary,
"spent sixteen days travelling by canoe
and on foot from Northeast Garry on
Moosebead Lake to Fort Kent on the St.
John River, ascending in this time Ale
cash and Pr estly mountains, where by
the use of glasses very large area of
country could be observed. In this man.
ner much first-hand knowledge of gen.
eral character was secured, to be used in
conjunction with the more specific work
done by the explorers, who spent prac-
tically the whole season in this terri
tory"
This seems like the exploitation Of
new and primitive territory and in a
sense that is what it is. The boundaries
are known, but the character of much Of
the country included is still an untold
story. Maine is one of the most beauti-
full States in the Union, with a splendid
citizenship, and when she fills up, when
her vacant land is occupied and her dor
mant resources utilized, she will be one
of the great States, in more senses than
one. Boston Transcript.