The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-30
Communication with Eastern Towns.


The Board of Trade, at its last meeting,
gave some attention to the importance OF pet-
ter means of communication between this
city and the coast towns in the central and
eastern portion of the State. This is vital
matter which our merchants should not suffer
to slumber During small portion Of the
year a boat connects Portland with the Ken
nebec, and for large portion there is steam
boat communication with the towns from
Rockland, along the Penobscot bay and river,
to Bangor. Aside from these two intermit-
tent lines, there is no means OF water commu-
nication, except by uncertain and irregular
sail vessels, with any town or city on our ex-
tended coast this side of Eastport. The great
and populous Kennebec valley connects al
rectly with Boston by boat, while tne COM
mercial metropolis of the State, with superior
advantages to Boston in most OF the leading
articles of heavy trade, is passed by, or mere
ly made a way-station for railroad which
kaans mn a close communication with the Bos-
tom roads, passing freight by on more favora-
BILE terms than it is allowed to stop. We have
| no reason to complain of the railroad, for its
managers do as all business men will; make
their connections and reciprocal arrangements
in the way that win leave the largest product
in their own treasury.
What is wanted, and should not be neglect
ed another season, is staunch, fast-sailing
side-wheel steamer, of medium tonnage, not
expensive to run, to make daily round trips
between this city and Bath. Such vessel
would soon command large passenger pat
ronage, and an amount Of freight that would
greatly astonish and rejoice our merchants
By stopping at Bath she would have time to
accommodate the business Of the route, and not
be obliged to hustle out freight with more
haste than COMFORTS with safety in handling.
Small river steamers would soon be found
ready to connect with her, one running daily
to and from Augusta, delivering and receiving
freight and passengers at that city and also at
Hallowell, Gardiner, Pittston and Richmond,
and another running to and from Wiscassett
Southport and Boothbay. -
We are acquainted with all these localities,
and speak only what we know when we say
that they constitute the centres of large local
trade, and supply extended tracts of populous
farming country. Now the local merchants
make their purchases in Boston and ship thith-
er the products of the country which they
collect in their trade, and they do this simply
because communication with Boston is more
direct and reliable than with Portland.
1t is not sufficient that temporary, uncer-
tain and irregular means of communication is
afforded between these places and this city
| Their trade can be diverted only by an assur-
ance that facilities are to be permanent and
reliable. Furnish these and large section o.
the most populous and wealthy portion OF the
State will become welded to Portland by ties
not easily sundered, all parties interested find
ing their interest in such union
But there are other portions Of the State
which should not be neglected. A steamer
Of suitable size should be made permanent
institution to connect this city with Damaris-
Gotta, Waldoboro', Bristol and other eligible
points in that general locality. A large trade
would soon be built up with these places
could the means Of regular and safe transit be
secured.
Still another demand is made, and that is
for regular coasting steamer, making this
city her base of supplies, to run regularly tc
Ellsworth, Bluehill, Mt. Desert, and the rich
towns bordering on Frenchman's Bay, going
perhaps, as far east as Machias. Here is
broad field for trade, needing care and cult
walton, and of sufficient wealth and popula
ton to be very important tributary to any
city that secures its close connection. 1t Ii
not our business to go into details. We sim
ply throw out hints, hoping they may be takel
up by our merchants and business men and, i
found worth anything, acted upon. a&
Portland should be the centre of trade fol
the whole State. Her local position and hel
natural advantages entitle her to this. Sh,
may become this if her merchants, acting up
on broad, liberal, far-seeing policy, do theil
whole duty. The Penobscot and Kennebet
valleys are not rival sections. What perma
nently benefits one section benefits and en-
riches the commonwealth, and to this end w
would see more done in Portland to make hel
in fact and in truth the financial and CONNER
cial metropolis of the State.