Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-17

many of these brutal ruf1ians.
and the punishment of them.
when detected, though it may
lessen the number of such ROB-
berries. will not be likely to hu-
mamie those who escape from
retributive justice.
Disclaiming any intention to blame
the Government for failing to drive
these "bucaniers" from the seas, the
article goes on to say that many
brave officers have persisted. not pc
meath the CLEAN of their victorious
swords. but the pale victims OF
stckIy climate in this trying service
which affords no brilliant glorieS TO
the y!ctors but abounds in prlVatlons
and dangers" Following which, Is
approval of efforts to secure from
Congress authority under Whlcn
merchant vessels could arm for the
purpose of protecting themselves.
Urged the Cape Cod Canal
Piracy in the West Indies has long
VOYAGE around Cape Cod is still one
of many dangers. With the question
of Government ownership OF the
iCape Cod canal before Congress III
this year 1925, it is not without in
tereSt to note that the construction
OF such a waterway was being urged
one hundred years ago. John Z. car
houn. Secretary of War during the
administration of President Monroe.
had lust made his annual report in
which. we read, he "dWells with great
energy on the Importance OF carry
inc into effect an expensive pan OF
n'ernal improvement. among the
desirable projects listed being that
for the construction of 4 canal IRON
Barnstablc to Buzzards Bay
The first issue of the hennebec
Journal naturally contained refer
ence to the visit of General Lafay-
cite to the United States. 1t devoted
n column to the proceedings of Con.
gress, and another to the reports OF
Government officials, including that
of Secretary Calhoun. There were
two columns devoted to survey or
foreign affairs. Some light IS thrown
urnn life in the little town by the
advertisements of merchants. in
which. Of course. in accordance with
the customs of the time. West INDIA
rum had prominent place. Incident
ally it may be noted that enterprise
ing traders We're willing to sell their
wares 'for cash or produce. me
columns of the paper were opened
value of fire insurance. beginning his
contribution with the statement that
the practice of insuring property
against fire is daily becoming more
general" An advertisement of an
insurance company printed elsewhere
in the paper suggests that it had
lost no time in establishing the nrac-
tice of giving the advertiser read
ins notice.
Setting the Pace
In comparison with other journals
of the time this Augusta venture set
n high standard. and it is a standard
that has been maintained. The pa
per has, of course. changed with the
times. 1t was transformed from
weekly to daily more than half a
century ago. 1t has become member
OF a world wide news gathering as
ISOLATION. while it has developed it's
own facilities for gathering the news
Of towns and cities of the State.
Russell Eaton and Luther Severance.
probably never dreamed of such
newspaper as that which is now pro-
duced daily in this Maine city Of
about fifteen thousand pepole. but
it is due them to say that no small
part of the credit is theirs. Within
the limitations of opportunities and
facilities in their day and generation
they set the pace.
A remarkable chapter in the story
of the Kennebec Journal is that
which tells of those OF its editors and
owners who have gone forth to play
large part in the affairs of the coun-