The Portland daily press., 1864-11-21
Railroad Accommodations

A CORRESPONDENT, under the signature OF
sKennebec,s has taken exception 10 some OF
the suggestions in our recent article upon the
question of railroad accommodations, and our
friend must allow us to say that If we needed
any confirmation of our views as to what the
;ntarest and convenience of the people of the
State require, in this regard, it would be found
in his communication for we have q right to
infer that he has given the best reasons that
can be adduced in qualification or denial of
the propriety of the changes indicated in our
article as desirable
First, he thinks passengers with Boston
through tickets are allowed to stop over in
Portland one day-but, if not, there are, he
says, reasons for denying such privilege
without implying hostility, on the part of the
roads, to Portland. If the practice is as our
correspondent "thinks" it is, the answer Is
perfect-but why add the remarks which sue
coed? If, however, the practice is different
from what he has supposed, as he admits it
may be, and there are "reasons" for it, why
were they not given SO that the public could
determine whether they ought not to be equal
ly good against stopping over at Portsmouth,
as, we are informed, is now permitted?
Second, "Kennebec" replies that it is not
quite true that no train leaves Portland for the
interior till afternoon, inasmuch as a train
does leave in the morning for South Paris
and Lewiston; but, pray, are those places in
the interior of Maine? Waterville, Farming
ton and Bangor, we suppose, then, must be on
the outskirts. Ha SUISSE m
No doubt, our friend says, when this train
can be extended, without loss to the road, it
will be done-and, we suppose he means, not
till then. For ourselves, we think the public
convenience should count for something, and
that corporation which depends upon the
State for its charter and for the enforcement
Of It's rights, should be willing to do some
thing in return, though it may not always and
Immediately pay. But in this matter our con-
viction is firm that such extension might be
made, not only without loss, but to the perma-
nent advantage of the roads.
Third, our friend considers the remarks we
made to the effect that the people of many of
the towns between the Kennebec and Bangor
do not receive the benefit from the railroad
from Waterville to Bangor which they antici-
pated, as answered when he says there is a
freight train which runs daily between these
places, by which passengers may go to Ban
gor from Waterville and return the same
day.
Let us look moment at this freight
train with passenger car attached, leaves
Waterville in the morning, and arrives at
Bangor, we think, at about II A. NJ; and, re-
turning, leaves Bangor at 1-2P. M. So it is
true that men living on the line of this road,
may, if willing to ride at freight train speed
and subject to freight train detentions, visit
Bangor by rail, spend t,oo and one half hours
there at dinner time, and return the same
day.
And this is all, all that can be said against
the earnest desire of the business men Of
Maine that the railroad trains within the
State should be arranged for their better &C.
commodationl
We are glad to see that this subject is at
taacting the attention Of the people of diff
ferent sections of the State. They are all In
terested in it, and yet they would make nc
unreasoable demands upon the Railroads
They ask that at least a fair trial should be
given to the experiment at the earliest period
practicable.
We are happy to be able to close these OBJ
servations with some very sensible remarks
from the Kennebee journal.
The Portland papers, the Price Current and
the DAILY Press, are discussing the propriety
and the necessity of increased railroad facii
ties for travel in Maine. 1t is natural that al
those who are interested in the growth anC
development Of Maine, should feel deep in.
terest in all the means which will subservs
these ends. Our State is as yet in its infancy
and watchful eye and helping hand should
be given in aid of its progress. There is q
bond of common interest which should unite
all the parts in fraternal good will, and in gen.
erous and mutual efforts, rather than nursing
local jealousies and seeking rival schemes
We are pleased to find in the present timely
discussion full recognition of substantial In
terest in all the points in the welfare of the
whole. This is the right spirit. In this sign
we can conquer, and make our State pros.
porous and worthy of the love of all. The
suggestions which the discussion has brought
to the special attention of the managers of the
railroads In the State are worthy their ear.
nest attention. They seem, generally at least
to be reasonable. This much is certain, that
in whatever the railroads can aid the business
OF the State and the conyeniences of the
people, they should do SO as wise invest.
ment which will be sure to bring, at no dis
tant day, Its sure reward. AS the suggestions
are not Of a nature requiring any popular
d movement, it will not be necessary for US te
copy them: while we most fully and cordially
commend the subject and its manner Of
treatment to those most practically interested