St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-06-21
The NeaC Railroad.

Trade:
A meeting of the Board of Trade was
held at their rooms on Saturday evening,
President Hersey presiding.
The president remarked that he no
ticed present many of the gentlemen who
made an excursion over the proposed
route for a railroad to Ogdensburg. He
thought this one of the most important
objects for the interests of Portland that
had ever been presented. He called up
on Mayor Stevens to present his views.
The mayor remarked that it was true
he was enc of the party, and that he felt
great interest that the road TO Ogdens-
burg should be built. But he was no
talking man. and he would leave it to
others of the delegation TO make state
mentS.
Hon. John Lynch being called upon.
said that when he started ON the excur-
sion he very much doubted whether the
road could be built, especially to the
Maine boundary and through New
Hampshire and Vermont to connect at
Montpelier, or north of that place But
after witnessing the spirit manifested in
every place the road would 90 through.
and knowing what pledges had been
made towards it. he had changed his
mind rs to the ability to build that por-
ton from the boundary line OF the State
Mr. Lynch stated what had been done
in various places in New Hampshire and
Vermont in aid of the road. As regard
ed that portion in Maine. there must be
a solid subscription of stock i'll this city,
and the city itself would be obliged to
subscribe for stock instead of loaning its
credit.
lie expatiatcl upon the value Of this
road to the city, and spoke of the al
vantages of the route. both for freight
and passengers. The route through the
Notch of the White Mountains he now
considered perfectly feasible. and it would
be one OF the most splendid routes in the
Union. running as it would three or four
hundred feet above the level of Saco
river, and on the side OF the mountains.
Hon. J. b. Brown said that like Mr.
Lynch, he had been skeptical as to the
feasibility of this route. but his mind was
now changed. He was satisfied it could
be built. and of lis commercial inpor-
lance to this city, no one could have any
idea. lie then went into a statement of
the advantages to be derived by opening
this direct route from Portland To Og-
densburg. and mentioned some other
projects that We're in inception. and
which would be completed if this road
should be built, which would be OF vast
interest to the city of Portland
OF the prospects of a large and III
creased trade with Portland. should thi~
road be built, there could not be- the
slightest doubt. OF the value OF the
stock of the road. there could he no
doubt. Is parties stood ready to lease the
road rs soon As built. and pay SIX per
cent on the cost. The business from
Vermont and Northern New Hampshire
would be immense. IL WIS road that
should be built Immediately. and our
citizens should take hold OF it with vigpr.
Gen. =. J. Anderson SAID that like tn,
others who had spoken. he started wnh
treat doubts as to the feasibility OF the
measure, especially rs to the route through
the Notch. In fact. he believed it an
impos,ibilitv. But ili> Views had en-
tirelv changed, and he had not the >Ii9ht-
est doubt the road could be built, and
with not exceedingly heavy GRADES. He
also spoke of the interest excited in all
the towns in that section OF Maine and
New Hampshire that the road should he
built. and SAID that aid would be- Oh
tanned from every one of them. and the
business men had promised 10 MAKE
Portland their market should the road
be built
Gen. Anderson made >omr very inter
eStlng statements regarding the trade of
various places which would he brought
to this city. 1t was for the interest OF
Portland that this road should be built
He had doubted It's feasibility at fiIst,
but these doubts had all vanished. and
he hoped our citizens would give the
matter fair consideration.
Mr.. Lynch spoke of the road as an
importast one for Chicago and MiIwau-
kee, as giving them IN outlet for the ex-
portaton OF their products
President Uersey SAID he had no doubt
of the value and Importance of the road.
The route through the Notch would
make 1t one Of the greatest passenger
routes III the Union.
On motion OF lion. John j.. Brown it
was voted that the managers Of the
board OF trade be requested to arrange
for a public meeting OF the citizens upon
this matter at such time and place as
they may deem expedicnt. Adjourned.
The meeting was quite lar9e one,
and much interest was ielt in the railroad
matter. 1t will not be suffered to drop
here. y great desire was expressed 10y
every one to hear Gov Wa>hburn upon
the subject, and it was regretted that he
was. unavoidably, detained from this
meeting. 1t is expected the board Of
trade will soon call Il public meeting. at
which Gov. Nashburn will present his
views.
From the Portland Morning Pres, June H.