The Portland daily press., 1865-01-06
port Of their doiugs which WIN b laid bsior

port Of their doings which VIII b laid before
you In due season.
The application was not successful, and one
very strong ground of objection was the al
Ieeed unfriendly action OF the Legislature of
this State some years since, and still unrepeal
ed, in regard to connections with railroads
west of Portland having their termini at Bos-
ton. would respectfully call your attention
to this subject for the purpose of ascertaining
whether the supposed exigency which called
for this legislation exists at this time. In the
early history of railroads in this State, certain
policies were regarded as Indispensable, the
wisdom of which has hardly been justified Dy
experience. That the legislation referred to,
belongs to that class is more than probable.
A neighboring State can hardly be expected
to contribute in aid OF an enterprise, In the
benefits OF which it is not to be allowed a par
ticipation. 1t is only upon the ground OF a
common interest to be promoted by the freest
inter communication that any such claim for
co operation can be asked with prospect OF
success. In addition to common interest be-
lieved to exist, there are some considerations
connected with the past history of the public
lands of Maine, formerly the Joint property OF
Massachusetts and our own State, which may
be fairly urged as reason for seeking assis-
lance from that commonwealth in aid of the
European and North American Railway Com
pany.
Many years since arrangements were en-
tered into between the two States for the man.
agement of their common, domain, and among
other stipulations was one tor the expenditure
OF the proceeds of the sales of the land and
timber, to the extent OF hot more than ten per
cent, in making improvements through these
lands by the construction of roads and render
ing the warehouses; navigable But avery
small part of this sum was expended, as is well
known to every person at all conversant with
the history OF our public lands.
Again, the State of Maine extinguished the
title of Massachusetts, in these lands by pur-
chase in 1S53.-A bargain fairly made is bind
ing upon both parties and not to be complain
ed OF, but If the State of Maine ever receives
from the land thus purchased a sum equal to
the interest of the principal paid for them, it
lis as much as those well informed upon the
subject ever expected. These considerations
may be fairly addressed to Massachusetts in
seeking her aid for this enterprise, and it is for
her authorities to determine their weight
/ But little progress has been made the past
year in the construction of this railroad. Tue
European aud North American depends 10 a
considerable degree for its immediate success
upon the connection it may be enabled to
make with the lines of railway In the Province
of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The
discussions which have recently arisen having
for their object the confederation of the Brit;
ish and North American Colonies, have reviv-
ed the slumbering project of an inter-colonial
railroad connecting these provinces, which, if
constructed would postpone the early compile
ton of the European and North American.
The great cost of labor and material for rail-
road construction, as measured by the curren-
off he Cd hoeh oc IN
discourage the immediate commencement of
this enterprise.
A committee of Congress informally visited
this State the last summer, for the purpose OF
acquainiing themselves with the condition of
our frontier and coast detences, and it is be-
lieved by gentlemen having the interests Of
this proposed road in charge that the visit
will be productive Of beneficial results.
The very lively interest felt in the valley OF
| the Pt nobscot in the early completion of this
! line of traffic and travel has led the city Of
Bangor to vote loan OF its credit in its aid
and an individual subscription is being solic-
tied with promising results. q
Large expectations are entertained by its
protectors and the public, resulting from the
developments of the northern portion of our
State now so largely wilderness, as well as
for the Increase of trade and business, which
its connection with the neighboring provinces
will bring to our cities. ~
Last year took occasion to commend to
the favorable consideration of the Legislature
the propriety OF extending aid toan enterprise
designed to secure more direct and shorter
communication between the Penobscot and
st. Croix rivers. have seen no reason to
change my opinion as to the desirableness OF
the measure. In all matters relating to public
expenditures you are the guardians of the
interests OF the people, you will be held re-
sponsible for them, and you must be the Judges.
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The President of the United States, in his
recent annual message to Congress, reccom-
mended that notice of the abrogation of the
Reciprocity Treaty with Great Britain be au-
thorized upon the ground Of the financial me-
cessities OF the Nation. The popular branch
hes already acted afiirmatively upon the sug-
gestion and the subject is now before the Sen
ate, with the prospect Of a speedy canes--
renee.
My own views upon this subject have been
publicly expressed heretofore. However ia
vorable the operation of this treaty may have
been upon certain minor interests, cannot
refrain from the expression that it has been
detrimental to two of the leading interests OF
the State-her lumber and her agriculture
in which so large portion of our population
is engaged.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
A vacancy of Senator in Congress from
this State occurred during the recess of the
Legislature, occasioned by the resignation of
the Hon. William P. Fessenden, for the pur-
pose of accepting q position in the cabinet of
the President of the United States. ta
Under the provisions of the Constitution l
appointed Hon. Nathan A. Farwell Senator
Gd interim.
Upon you devolves the duty of permanent
ly filing the Office. aH
n NEW HAMPSHIRE RESOLVES.
A copy of certain resolves passed by the
Legislature of New Hampshire in regard to
the construction of fish ways over the dams
across the Connecticut, Merrimac and Saco
rivers, has been transmitted to me with a re-
quest that the same be laid before the Legis-
lature of Maine. With this request most
cheerfully comply, and invoke that consider
alton ofihe subject which the comfy between
States demand.
This is no new topic with the people of this
State, legislation having often been sought for
this same, object, upon rivers, lying wholly
within the limits of Maine. The experiments
have not been satisfactory. Our rivers, the
haunts OF fish in former times, ere vet the
wheel of the steamboat disturbed their waters,
or they had been turned to the uses or neces-
sites of the white man, are so no longer
Civilization, which has banished the red man
from its presence, has also destroyed the
means on which be subsisted, and the efforts
to preserve his fish and game have been as
futile as would be the attempt to recall these
persisted tribes. The buffalo of the west has
been as constantly receding from the presence
of the white population, abandoning prairies
now within. the borders of thickly settled