The Portland daily press., 1868-08-11

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Five and three tenths miles Of water front
and all within so small compass! All of it by
the fortunate confguration of our territory
susceptible of being connected together by an
inexpensive circuit of road and railway. The
contemplated street should be laid out in all
parts 100 feet wide with room for a double rail
track upon which freight from whatever quar-
ter arriving, can be carried to any required
point of discharge or departure.
As part of this system of local improve
ment we need, as has already been suggested
in your columns a central passenger railway
station, to and from which arrivals and de-
partures shall be made by all railroad way
farers. The location already designated by
your former correspondent for such common
point of conveyance, namely the Dump" is
PROFESSIONALLY the best within our limits. A
station in common would be as much for the
interest of the roads as for the convenience
of their patrons. Is there any reason why a
motion in this direction can not be made at
once, and before any new passenger depots are
erected by and for particular corporations?
All that is ask ed of the city for the present,
is, that it Ian out the marginal thor oughfare.
1t can be done vastly cheaper now than few
years hence. Once laid out the grade of our
cross streets and improvements of whatever
character can be adjusted thereto. Any rail-
way proposing to locate its freight stations
within our borders, would find it's problem
comparative ly cleared up by the adoption of
the marginal street as part of the settled
road policy of the city. The street being once
laid out, its constructio on may be deferred for
years, if necessary, and yet, all the time ad-
.junct and collateral impr ovements be shaping
themselves with reference to its final realiza-
ton.
1t is my opinion, however, that the road
should be not only laid out but that portion of
itshould be speedily constructed. BY recent
vote we put $4,000 into railroad. That
road must have its terminus upon navigable
waters with room adjacent for great wharves
and docks. As matters now stand, there is no
chance for it within our limits Yet upon our
northeast front is site of unexceeded and
scarcely paralleled excellence for the purpose.
But it is at present inaccessible from CONNER
cial street. Without the compl ton of road
way around Fish Point it could not be advan-
tageously occupied for the purpose referred to-
Ine only alternative Is cape EllZaDeth, ana
one other example would be afforded of the
investment of Portland capital for the benefit
of o Their towns.
Boston, whose prospects of increased rail-
way connections and traffic are not brighter
than ours, is now pr oceeding to carry out her
projected scheme of Grand junction Rail
way, uniting the several lines centering in her
limits and DrODOses to hrinO into usa q Yraat
water front at South Boston, filing in flats
900 acres in extent, with projecting piers each
300 feet wide, the material to be drawn entire
ly from dredging the main ship CHANNEL
Whether we proceed or not to the actual build
ing of this marginal street at present. or of
any part of it, there can be no question that
judicious economy requires its speedy laying
out.