Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-25
Somerset and Ken. Railroad.

Somerset and Ken. Railroad.
The following remarks of Mr.. Nickerson, of
Orrington, in the House of Representatives,
March 18th, upon the question of amending
the charter of the Kennebec and Somerset
Railroad Company, we copy from the Kenne-
bee Journal. We commend them to our read
ers as embodying, in brief, the true state of
railroad controversy, and the secret of the OPP
position TO the amendment asked for, in some
sections of the State.
MIR. Speaker-I do not rise to make a
speech; lhat cannot do; neither do my
constituents think much of speech making
= if they did they would not send me here,
assure YOU. But, sir, MS | have received
letters from the class which represent, nu-
merousy endorsed by gentlemen of the high
est responsibility, urging me TO take a course
which cannot approve, | wish logive few
reasons for nv vote which shall give on the
bill now before the House. When held n
seat OH this floor, in l847, this question came
up before the House on petition signed by
Abner Coburn and others, praying for char
ter for railroad leading from Skowhegan
" 1AuSuStus as tuC CNluCuCC was tutu
brought out before the committee, and the
arguments then made by able counsel, and
as the matter was ably discussed before the
House, after giving it my best attention, ex-
aiming the matter fully and carefully,
came TO the conclusion that it was exercis.
ing an arbitrary power, not Justitiable IN
legislative body, moi to grant the prayer of
the petitioners. Sir, Notwithstanding all
that has been said at the present time against
the extension of this road up the valley of
the Kennebec, find no good reason for
changing my vote on the subject. do not
pretend 10 argue the case. That has been
done by able gentlemen on both sides. But
when examine yonder map, and see the
line that the road which opposes the exten-
sion of this has already travelled, and the
course it has marked out to travel when
see on which side the line lies the wealth
and influence of the State, and see the de-
termination manifested by The friends of said
road to defeat all attempt TO connect from
the south by any other road, and if it is per-
mitted TO cross the valley of the Kennebec
undisurted, il will then command sufficien
strength and influence 10 defy the authority
of any Legislature that may come after us !;
and when completed, running as il does
from the southwest portion of our Stale,
crossing the valleys Of our rivers, and bound
to the eastern line of our State, it will eventu-
ally dam up all the natural channels of trade
and throw it in false direction. Sir, in the
conclusion which have arrived at in rela-
ton to the power and strength of the Andro-
scoggin and Watervllle road have been as
sisted by the remarks of the gentleman from
Bangor, when he said, if this road (meaning
the Androscoggin and Waterville,) can start
! from Watervile for Bangor, the friends OF
this road who wish to run up the banks OF
this river will give up in despair. Yes, sir
| and so they may, and so may all other rail-
road enterprises whose interest in any way
conflicts with the interest of the Androscog.
gin, Watervie and Penobscot road. Sir,
consider it one Of the greatest railroad mo
nopolies ever projected in New England
1t will not only control all other railroad en-
terprises in the Stale, but when its interests
demand it, it will lay its iron grasp upon the
| Leg slarure and control it at will
Mr.. Speaker, what was the measure pnr
sued in IS47 to prevent the extension of thi:
road up the valley of the Kennebec to Sumer
set! 1t was to prove that Somerset did no
call for it. But on this ground this year they
fail and now they have planted their batter,
on the other side of the line in order to draw
aid from the east. What is now their argu
ment! Why they pretend that if this road il
allowed TO extend above this place, instead o
following the valley of the Kennebec, it will
turn off through China and Unity, and othe
towns, to Bangor, thereby injuring the inter
ests of the Penobscot & Kennebec road which
| is located leading from Bangor to Waterville
And by such arguments (and by some olhe
means,) they have created quite an excitement
in Bangor, and in its vicinity, by counting OF
the Penobscot & Kennebec Company to exer
else their club, which they hold over this road )
which right, in my opinion, they pretend II
hold mol for the purpose of promoting the ex
tension of this road up the river,-for | NJ
more believe that the Penobscot & kennebe
Co. even intend TO build the section Of the roa,
leading from this place to Waterville, than | be
lieve that tomorrow Bangor will run cars from
that city TO Canada.
Sir, why all this excitement at the east a
this present time Is it a new matter, jus
introduced herel Has it not been before u
for weeks, and even months. And yet, sir
the gentleman who writes me from Brewe
states, in his letter, that he never learned any
thing in relation to this matter until the da,
he wrote me. | think it does not require mucl
| StTeU1lll Vi hlSiOil " oCC tilIOuRh all vi
eastern excitement. Sir, in my opinion, it il
not Penobscot that is in danger; but as lh
debate has progressed Portland has tremblet
for fear she should not succeed in preventing
the extension of the road therefore she call.
on the east for help. There are some circum
stances connected with the letters have re
ceived from constituents, requesting me to e
against this bill, which leads me TO conclude
that the matter was not properly considered b.
those who endorse them, from the fact that the,
are both of one date and both mailed at Bangor
Sir, those letters of instruction are endorsed b,
gentlemen of the highest responsibility, whose
mature judgment | am under the highest obi
CATION 10 respect; but in this respect IN,
course of duty compels me (allhough painful
to disregard their wish and give my vote 70
the bill now before the house, and, had | an OPP
portunity, | think | could satisfy them of The
correctness of my position and, sir, while
hold a seat on this floor | must claim the RICH
at all times and on all occasions of giving my
own sense of duty.
A poor editor out in Wisconsin breaks fortl
in the following appeal:
Sheriff spare that press