Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-01-11


the construction OF q railroad to the Aroos-
took. will be in aid practically of the inter-
ests and purposes OF the friends of the Eu-
ropean and North American Railway ,wheth-
er made directly to them or not Thus,
while contributing to the settlement OF our
unoccupled lands, you may also be instru-
menal in forming that connection between
the railroads of the United States and Cana
da on the one side, and OF the lower British
Provinces on the other, which has so long
been regarded as q most desirable consum-
nation by the intelligent people of this and
other States Ofthc importance OF this con-
neetion to this State and the United States.
AS necessary for the completion of a great in
ternational highway, | have no occasion to
sreak after the thorough and exhausting ex-
positions of the question which have been
made by some OF my predecessors, and by
members of former Legislatures. The Con-
gress of the United States has heretofore in
many instances granted lands to aid the con-
struction of works of general interest. That
any of these compare in national Importance,
in direct usefulness and convenience to all
parts of the country, with an enterprise
which would lead to a shortening OF the
transit between New York and London by
from four to six days, will not be asserted by
those who will give the subject careful and
thorough examination. While | cannot en-
courage the hope that an application tor aid
for this work from the federal government
would meet with sufficient favor at Washing
ton to ensure its success at the present time,
and under existing circumstances, its impor-
/ tance to the whole country as well as the
government itself, and the sacrifices which
! Maine SO generously made in 1912, of her
clear and indsputable rights of property
aud jurisdiction, for the benefit of the whole
country, persuade Inc that the grant of such
aid as might be necessary to effect its accom-
i plishment, would be both wise and just.
The consequences of policy like the one
/ | have advocated in respect to internal i'm
prOvcments, if carried out-.and let Inc say
that it is policy which has been growing
! in favor among our wise and thoughtful
men for many years would be not to impov-
erish but to enrich the State-not to run it
into debt nor to impair its credit, and not
to augment the burdens of the people 1t
would increase the population OF the State,
swell its valuation tables, reduce the taxes
upon its citizen, and assist it to hold IS re-
latiyc position--lf not to improve tin re-
gard to wealth, strength. population, repre-
sentation and power, among the sister States.
The trade OF the AroostoOk, now rapidly
increasing with the growth OF its population,
is in danger Of being wholly diverted from
this State. Already much the larg"r part of
it is carried on through channels OF commu-
nication in II neghb9rins Province, and
without some ellctuaI measures to arrest the
present tendency of things, it will be wholly
lost to US With the needed facilities Of
transit within the Stata, its entire commerce
thcrcupon to be largely increased year after
NV4ull nj al RapOpr
and Calais, placing their prosperity and ex-
pansion Beyond the reach of any contingent
cy that human foresight can imagine. Tho
opening up an improvement Of other Sec
tions OF the State, would contribute materi-
ally to the trade Of the cities of the kcnne-
bee, and OF our leading commercial empori-
um Added to these results we should wit
ncsss tie building up of many trades and
cmploymentS. In the various departments of
industry, throughout the State. New in
citeinents would be given and new hopes
held out to Labor, enterprise and capital ev-
crv whore within our borders
Within twenty years many millions fcap-
ital have been invested in the railroads of
the State, upon which in most cases no re-
turns in the form of dividends have been re-
allied. But with the lapse of years tho
gradual accommodation of business to the
new avenues, and the better management
which has come from the lessons OF expert
c1cc the financial condition of many, il not
all ot our r1ilroad .eorporat'ons' Is steadily
improving, aad tbeIrearaln@s are yearly ap-
proNimatlng the punt at which the share
holders N them may expect to receive inter
cst upon their stock. Inc increased traihc
upon all these roads winch would attend the
deWrnlcmrnt oi the policy have recon-
mrndrd, would add little to thcn ordinary
expenses, and thus would swell, ny nearly
the entire amount ei the increased receipts,
thcIr actual and realized pr'hts' In this
Way tie eertlheaics 4l stock tn our railroad
eprprationS, held hy 81 many "t our cti-
zcnS, from being the witnesses ol so much
money LOST, would be transformed to signs
Of - mach productive capital. \ truth of
great practi al value would he Impressed up
on our people IN reference to those hasty
-'ncr'liMlt 'ns. Which, hccause ct the COM
mrl.iNe failures that have attended invest
meats in railroads, miudlcl'usly located in
'mlny cases, and in ali built under circum-
,t2rces involving cost OF twice the amount
that would have been required under more
experienced management and with adequate
means, therefore assumes that all roads,
without regard to the amount of traffic they
would aceonmpdate, to the vast areas of
country they would devclpPe. or to the
chcapncss and economy with which they
could be built, would tll to be sources of