sixty-three millions eight hundred and fifty-four thousand four
hundred and twenty dollars--more than twice the entire valuation of
the State by the estimate made in 1870, which was two hundred and
twenty-four millions eight hundred and twenty-two thousand nine
hundred and thirteen dollars. There was a reason then for the
fact, that in the old rum-time the people of Maine were poor and
unthrifty in every way--and for that other fact, that now they are
prosperous and flourishing, with a better business than that of any
other State, proportionately.

Notwithstanding the fact that in Portland a great conflagration
destroyed ten millions of dollars in 1866, burned down half the
town, and turned ten thousand people out of doors, the prosperity
of the city has been steadily on the increase. Its valuation, in
1860, was twenty-one millions eight hundred and sixty-six thousand
dollars, and in 1870, twenty-nine millions four hundred and
thirty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty-seven dollars. In the
last year the increase in valuation, in spite of the hard times,
was four hundred and eighty thousand dollars, while Boston, with
free rum, has lost more than eight millions, and New York and
Brooklyn has experienced an immense depreciation.

I think I have said enough to satisfy every intelligent,
unprejudiced man that the absolute prohibition and suppression of
the liquor traffic has been in the highest interest of our State
and people.

I am very truly, yours,

NEAL DOW.