Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-03-20
EASTERN TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Mar. 20, 1851.
Railroad Matters.
IRON AUGUSTA TO BANGOR.

A mass meeting of the citizens of vassal.
horo'. China, Albion, Unity, Troy, Dixmont,
&C.. has been recently held at China, at which
route was proposed from Augusta to Ban
sor, through Vassalbolo', China and Unity.
Objections were made to the proposed route
of the Penobscot and Kennebec road, that
il will subject the travel of the East to an
necessary ten miles distance. 1t is stated.
however, that the location of this road cannot
be considered as definitely made. The time
within which location was required to be
filed in the Department of State. being about
20 expire. the directors were compelled to file
the one which appeared most preferable, in the
light of the information then obtained. But
this does not preclude them from making any
alterations that may be deemed advisable.
As the friends of railroads in this section are
interested in the construction of Eastern roads,
We annex the principal part Of the Report
which was made to the above meeting, by
committee selected for that purpose, as follows:
At mass meeting ofthe citizens of Vass-
alborough, China, Albion, Unity, Troy. Dix
mont. &c, the undersigned were chosen
committee to ascertain the feasibility of
Railroad passing through said towns in the
most direct course from Augusta TO Bangor,
and TO lay before some ubs.quent meeting
such STATISTICAL facts and suggestions as will
enable them to form correct conclusions OF
the comparative merits of the route, over
Others more circtIitous and coming in compe-
iItion with river navi CATION. The unders gu
cd now ask leave TO report, that facts in
I,In 81
road may be constructed from Augusta to
Unity village, following near the margin of
chain of small ponds and boys over land
extremely level, where the cuts and fills
must unavoidahly be light and where the
soil is for the most part easy of excavation.
From Unity TO Bangor The route has already
been surveyed by an engineer. The line
surveyed is very traight in its general
course and without short curves, and is for
the most part very level. There are a few
hard grades, but the hardest, however, IN
Truy), is only ~ feet 10 the mile. If these
grades are objectionable, they can be wholly
avoided by following the same continuous
cham of ponds and boys through Troy Ply
mouth and Etna TO Carmel, and make the
route several miles short OF the present stage
road. The route is through IA secrion of
country not surpassed for its agricultural
products by any in our state, and where
large quantities of valuable lumber. vel re-
manned uncuIleh, and not srript as in our
river vallies. And as we are lar removed
from River facilities for transporting our
pro lucts, and still farther removed from IA
vors of maritime transportation any railroad
built TO accommodate our business, would be
beyond the possibility of such competition as
is found in the valley of every river naviga-
h1NF hoot md raft
that we have no motive to enter inro the
excitement prevailing between the Two rival
routes between the kennebec and Portland !
hut without meaning detriment to either, we |
would respectfully suggest that any location |
now made, or that may I've hereafter made, !
that stretches its line or miles further |
than necessary, not having even the tInsy |
excuse OF ease IN building, hut with the VAIN
expec iaIon that some trivial localities will |
give sufficient patronage toJnstIty tie expense |
are doomed TO Disappointment. The lnIelli- |
gent capitalist would take no stock on
location So inJudicous; neither would an
intelligent travelling public patronZe II it once
built But let the track OF great thorough
fare be straight, aud the extra cost that
would he exI ended in building, supporting,
and running tue cars over the ZigZagS, wall
do much to support branches where business
requires. a branch may worm round to
favor nearly every locality without retarding
the business Of the main rouIe, which crook
and dstort as you may, cannot accommodate
ell. This Eastern road through Maine will
assuredly be extended through the proyu-
eps aud will receive an immense Europe
an patronage. Foreign travellers, whether on
business or pleasure, dread the dangers of
our coast. and ship worn aud weary, they
would gladly exchange the steamers al Hali
fax tor raicars. The business men of orr
own sraIe will no more tolerate the cons ant
travel aud transportation over or extra
miles between The Kennebec and Penobscot
Rivers, than they would justify and patronize
a Stage coach, that mdwa, the route, would
spend hours in securing the cross roads and
by WAYS for waytare. We are firm in the
belief, that whatever company Shall locate in
the most direct course will be sustained !
u is known by several OF your COMMITTEE
that route perhaps even less expensive in
construction per mile, aud at least seven
miles short OF the location by Newport, ex-
isis 1t isknown bv the unerring evidence
OF survey and measurement. 1t is known
TOO, 10 he better agricultural district than
The Sebasticook valley, well stored with uIm-
Der, with water privileges and mills to man
ufacture il ;and with no River 70 come in as
q competitor. Few towns in our Stare pro-
duce more marketable products than Vassal-
borough, China, Aihion Unity, Troy and
Diymont. Vast quantities ofhay, oats, fruit.
livestock, beef, pork, poultry, &c, are pro-
duced by the towns contiguous on either
side. Many of these articles as well as their
lumber, are hauled great distance, nj an
expense that greatly reduces the profits of
the owner. Heel pieces and masts and other
va!uab lumber are often hauled thirty miles
when a car would tax less than II wonId
cost TO support the farmers team while on
the way, while the labor of the teamsier and
teams could be profita5ly employed at home. |
Your committee have no means of now
ascertaining the amount hauled by the mass
of the people, who would gladly adopt a
cheaper and more expeditions method bur
have reason TO suppose it even mole than
the trade of our merchants and manufacture
ers, to whose business solely we have
confined our Investigations.
The following may be considered fair
estimate Of the present amount paid for
transportation by traders and manufacturers
Vassalborough about S14,0O6
China, 9736
Albion, 1000
Unity, $3.50
~ Troy, serel stores, probably, 1000
DiAhhoh'' $3.50
37,736
IhS amount wOnII H. .. =, ., a.,