The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
Our Eastern Frontier.


To the Editor Of the Press:
Public attention has been called to this
subject of late, in connection with that of our
national coast and frontier defenses.
1t is proposed in this short article to pre-
sent some facts on the subject, relating to the
enterprise which was before our last Legsla-
ture, known as the "bill for the incorporation
OF the Milford and Princeton Turnpike Com
pany."
About the 18th of last November the Ban
gor Daily Wing published an article, stating
that on the llth of that month, the well
known Surveyor, Mr.. John Gardner, with
five assistants, had started from Princeton on
the waters of the st. Crox in the prosecution
of the survey for the location of the new
route from that point to the Milford depot on
the waters Of the Penobscot. 1t was remarked
that it was fact worthy of notice that the
people of Eastern Maine thoroughly appre-
ciated the Importance of the undertaking,
which was evident by the promptness with
which individual citizens had subscribed to
defray the expense of said survey.
party of several gentlemen had recently
gone over the ground exploring the country,
and had found it an excellent section Of set
ting lands for farming purposes, and one of
the gentlemen Ia member of the last Legis-
latare) who had had much experience in such
matters, remarked that in his opinion there
could not in the interior of New England be
found the like distance of about fifty miles.
where the absence of water land that too in a
well watered country and evenness of surface
in an almost direct line would render the CON
struction of a turnpike or railroad so feasible.
Some of the local reasons for such great
way were spoken of in the article referred TO-,
such as consolidation of interests in business
and other relations, dispatch and ease in travel
and the matter of shortening the mail route.
which is a very great consideration for the
whole State. More than twenty hours are
consumed in carrying the mail from Bangor
to Calais; let this route be opened by turn
pike, and it will take but twelve hours and
should railroad connection be formed, some
six hours may be deducted from that, add to-
this, the very large amount Of business and
travel which will flow over this road to aud
from the Eastern provinces through the
State.
The survey was promptly completed by Mr.
Gardner, and some important facts were eic-
tied showing conclusively that the route is
highly practicable. 1t is remarkably free from
hills, the highest elevation, and that a very
gradual one, is not above seventy-iive feet:
the longest water course to be bridged is not
more than one hundred feet, and that of shoal
water not deeper than three TO four feet. BY
far the larger part OF the land excellent quality
for farming purposes the route would deve-
op and bring into market a fine portion of un-
map will show distance of about one third
the length of the State, East and Vest the
opening oil this great way would induce set
tlement, and In a short time largely augment
the valuation of the State, by the improve
ments, labor and wealth of a growing popula-
tion, where now between Milford add Prince
ton on the Penobscot and St Croix rivers is
almost an unbroken wilderness. aE
The plan Of the survey was presented to our
last Legislature, together with petition
. signed by between three and four hundred
citizens of Calais and vicinity, and another
with the names Of two hundred of the solid
men of Bangor, asking for State aid to the
amount of $4,000, which would construct an
excellent road from Bangor to Calais, taking
into consideration the fact, that from Bangor
TO Milford on the Penobscot, and from Calais
TO Princeton on the st. Croix, railroads are
now completed and in operation
The bill TO incorporate the Milford and
Princeton Turnpike Company was passed.
There may be some question as to the wisdom
of that policy, especially if the State is asked
to build the entire road, for the aggrandize-
ment of a few individuals who constitute
themselves a company while the bulk of the
petitioners ask only for aid for public way.
On examination of the bill it may be found
that the State is placing itself in similar po-
sition to that of the State of New jersey with
her notorious railroad monopoly, which oblig-
cs the travelling public TO endure the worst
railroad between Bangor and Washington.
The bill to grant aid TO said company was
referred to the proper committees on Frontier
and Coast Delences, who after carefully and
patiently hearing representations, and what
some considered misrepresentation respect
ing the practicability and necessity Of the
road, probably in view of the prevailing sem
timent throughout the Legislature not to ap-
propriate State funds at this time of national
peril, with the debt for the support of the war
likely to be increased, reported further legisla-
tion TO the next Legislature, while at the same
time the enterprise was looked favorably up
on by very large majority of the members
Washington, which is the eastern frontier
county, shows a population of 40,631, with a
State valuation Of S7,2l6,400. Are not these
amounts of population and property entitled
to the sober consideration of our State?
1t is confidently expected that the next
Legislature will promptly move in this mat
ter towards the speedy completion of the road.
These remarks refer only to the local and
State interest in the case. Many more and
weightier reasons may be adduced, showing
the necessity of this road in national view
PEABODY