Year: 1864




or PORTLAND,


On the Remordl of the Seat Of Government,


in the House Of Representatives, Feb. Sd,


1864.


The resolve providing for the removal of the
seat Of government to Portland being under
consideration,


Mr.. LYNCH of Portland addressed the,
House as follows:


Mr.. SPEAKER: In 1920 Maine became an
independent State and located the seat of gov
ernment at Portland where it remained until
1882, when by the efforts and labors of dis
tinguished citizen of Augusta, il was removed
TO this place. But the removal was not found
acceptable to large portion of the population
of the State, and year after year the question
OF removing back TO Portland was agitated by
members OF the legislature from various parts
of the State, and votes have seyeraly been
passed indicating q desire for removal. In
1853 resolve wasfntroduced ard passed the
House, and was only postponed in the Senate
on account of Portland not having the nec-
essary buildings at that time. The city Of
Portland, acting from the indications alluded
to, and from assurances from different parts
of the State that the only obstacle in the way
OF removing to that city was the want of suit
able Accommodations for holding the sessions
ofthe legislature, provided the necessary bull
dings and offered them to the State free of ex-
pense so long as occupied for that purpose
A large number OF gentlemen from various
parts Of the State at the commencement of the
present session, expressed to the Representa-
tives from Portland their desire to remove,
and finding that that desire was very general
and emphatic,I as one of the Representatives
of Portland, consented TO introduce the resolve
under consideration.


Sir, l shall not commit the folly OF disclaim-
ing the natural feelings of local interest in this
question which every member OF this House
expects me as a citizen and Representative OF
Portland to entertain. 1t Is only my duty to
be deeply alive to every subject which involves
in the least degree the interests of my native
city.


Ianticipate that the members from Augusta
on their part, will approach the consideration
Of the Resolve hare introduced, with pecu-
liar zeal arising from local interest, attach
ments and associations. They ought to do
so, they would be unmindful of their duty to
their constituents If they failed do so. So far
from esteeming it reproach TO them, | re-
spect them for their fidelity to their immedi-
ate constituents. But, sir, this is no mere
conflict between Augusta and Portland for the
prize of the Capital. This question is not to
be settled between the Representatives from
Portland and those from Augusta. Ifit were,
the result would be certain, for we have the
largest delegation. Nor is this the outbreak
of a long standing feud between the descen-
dants of those men of Portland who thirty
years ago struggled manfully to retain the
capital there, aud those other men from this
vicinity, who contended not more zeaously
but with better success.


For however ii may be here with us the popu-
lation particularly the business population has
allh canged since that time. We are indebted
to every section Of the State for the men who
,rtu oh octa nd III
of our city. They have come there, attracted
by the natural tendency OF business to seek for
itself the best and most favorable conditions.
With a far reaching sagacty based upon OBJ
seryation and experience they saw, that some
day it would be the great Commercial City of
New England. That it wonld furnish valuable
opportunities for the education aud improve
mentoi their children as well as forthe advance
ment OF their pecuniary interests. And sir, to
no part OF the State are we more indebted for
this class of men than to the valley of the Ken
nebec.


While these contributions from every sec
fion have developed the natural advantages of
our city they have not served to impoverish
the sources from which they were drawn.


The accessions to our population from other
parts OF the State are constantly making. The
advantages OF our city whatever they may be,
are free to all who choose to avail themselves
of them. And should any Of the citizens of
Augusta, finding their attachments TO the seat
of government stronger than that TO their own
beautiful city, choose to follow its location in
Portland, we'll welcome them aud share with
them the common advantages Of our position.


Let us consider the opposing interests of
Augusta and Portland in this matter. | sun
pose it will be conceded that the only adyan-
tage Augusta derives from being the Capital
OF the State is the profit to be made directly
from the members, the State officers, and per-
sons having business with the several depart
ments. And since the commencement of the
war the additional advantage derived from
troops quartered here and from the little busi-
ness incident thereto. Contrast briefly with
this what Portland will have at stake il you
pass this Resolve. Her interests are widely
different aud far more public. They depend
upon those business relations which are of
reciprocal advantage. She cannot advance
her own interests without promoting that of
the whole State. Every day the steady in
crease Of our population makes this more en-
phatically true.


The development Of every part of the State
tends to her advancement, and selfin.erest
alone would prompt her citizens to cultivate
friendly relations with all seetious


But sir. the question is not what are the in
terests of Portland or Of Augusta. but what
are the interests of the lchole State How
will the passage of the resolve under consid-
Grafton affect the general welfare? II il can
not be shown satisfactorily that the interests
of the State would be advanced by the change
proposed, then it ought not to be made II, on
the other hand, it can be shown, as ! shall en-.
deayor to show, that the interests of the State
demand the change, that the present location
is inconvenient of access to large portion of
our population, that the accommodations for
members and persons having business to
transact at the capital are limited, while the


- lit.
the expenses OF carrying on the business of
the departments are much greater here than
they would be in more favorable situation,
that the means Of communication with the
rest Of the State and with the country in gem
eral, are limited, and that all these evils are
nseparably connected with the locality, and