The Republican journal., 1914-10-22
Maine Men and Matters.
lBoston Sunday Herald

ey. for that section. No doubt greater
or less degree of success will crown their
efforts, but probably it will be less de-
gree than in earlier years. Name mas
been a fertile field for these Western
boomers from the days of '49 to the
present Not only have its sons ana
daughters migrated in numbers that have
left an impression on many States-Ior
example California which has today
more natives of Maine among its popu-
lation than any other State except Mass,
achusetts-but those who have staid
here at home have sent west for invest
ment vast sums from their savings.
KEEPING MAINE MONEY AT HOME.
If this money had been invested IN
Maine it would have been far better TOR
the investors and would have given
Maine resources the development that
thew need. The amount of Maine money
that has been sunk beyond all hope of
resurrection in Kansas, the Dakotas,
Colorado and the Northwest can be only
a matter of estimate, but the most con-
sentative estimates always run far into
the millions. Promoters who come to-
day and hold out the aluring promises OF
quick wealth in those States do not find
people so easy as they used to be. Not
only have the bitter experiences of the
past taught caution, but Maine people OF
today know more of the possibilities OF
their own State than an earlier genera
ton knew.
The latest issue of the department OF
agriculture Year Book has some figures
and facts about Maine agriculture when
Maine farmers enjoy having at hand Wnen
the smooth talker rom Oregon or Call
fornia drives into the yard. For ex-
ample, though Maine is as low as 44th
among the 48 States in total corn acre
age, it is 9th in the yield per acre and
4th in the value per acre. In wheat II IS
only 18th in acreage, butt is 4th in yield
per acre and I'd in value. In oats 1t is
33d in acreage, but 9Th in yield per acre
and I'd in value. In buckwheat it is 24th
in acreage, but LIST in yield per acre and
4th in value In potatoes it is 9Th IN
acreage, but easily 1st in yield and value
per acre. And so it goes, with no State
making a better all-round showing on
what its sale returns to the man who
works it. One of these boomers from
the region of irrigated lands tried to con-
vince an Aroostook farmer the other day
that he ought to invest some OF his
wealth in stock in a certain irrigation
scheme-a concern that proposes to raise
potatoes in its irrigated land. The
Aroostook man laughed at him, and wei!
he might, for the average acre of Maine
potatoes was last year worth Sl09 to the
raiser, and the average acre OF potatoes
on irrigated land worth $50, and the
grower had to pay for his rain out OF
the $50, at that.
THE BIG APPLE CROP.
Just at present the Maine apple grow
er is suffering from TOO much OF good
thing. The crop is one of the largest
for years and the market is curtailed on
account of the restricted expectation to
Europe. This means low prices, running
from 81 to $3.50, rarely more, barrel.
AS the barrel itself costs about 40 cents
and the cost of labor is high in picking
time, the margin of profit is small. The
Maine orchardists would appreciate buy
a-barrel movement, and it is needless to
saw that it would be to the advantage of
the city consumer to use more apples
this winter. One orchardist near Water
Vile has sold his apples for 40 cents
barrel on the trees. Many others are
picking only the first quality fruit. 1t
will be great cider year, and cider goes
far to make the wheels go round and to
make life worth living in Maine, as in all
parts of rural New England.
Tie prospects of the coming legislative
session become more interesting with
the four Progressive members-elect
meeting and solemnly agreeing to stand
together during the session and preserve
their party dignity. They have agreed
or, at least, their State committee has
agreed, and given them orders according
ly-to nominate candidates for all offices
in the gift of the Legislature and to vote
for these candidates first, last and all the
time. If they stick to this resolution, 1t
will mean deadlocked Legislature when
it gets together in joint session. This
would not displease the Republicans, tor
it would mean the continuance In office
of various officials. To help the Repub-
licans is he last thing that the Maine
Progressive desires to DO, and as there is
probably ground for the Democratic con-
fidence that some OF the four Progressive
members will be induced-if the induce
ment is suficient-to violate the afore-
said solemn agreement and vote for the
nominees Of the Democratic caucus.
AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PROBLEM.
In the matter of the executive council
a deadlocked Legislature would not re-
suit in the holding over of the present
Republican council, but would leave the
State without any council at all. The
constitution has nothing that covers the
failure of the Legislature to elect an
executive council biennialy, but there is
a court decision that seems to settle the
matter. In the famous "count-out" days
of 1880, when Maine had two Legisla-
lures doing business, such as it was, at
the same time, this question of the term
of service Of the executive council went
to the supreme court. The court ruled
that the executive council did not hold
over, but the terms of it's members ex-
PRED without regard to whether their
successors had been elected or not. 1t
also ruled at the same time that the Sec
rotary of State, State treasurer, attor-
ney general and other officials held Office
until the Legislature elected their sue
cessors. If a deadlock keeps the State
without council for time, Gov. Curtis
will not be able to make any appoint
ments that will be effective, for all his
appointments are subject to the confirm
alton of the council.
All this depends on the amount of
strength that the four Bull Moose legis
lators show in keeping their vow to stand
together and maintain their party in
tegrity. Perhaps they will be able to
figure that they can sell out in body to
their allies, the Democrats, and still
1>o