The Portland daily press., 1868-12-02

among the people is strongly against such
use of the public money
Cheap Transpol tation.-The Policy of
Maine.
Three hundred millions OF people across
the Atlantic are waiting the completion OF
our great Pacific railroad to open across this
continent their commercial intercourse-new
and increased relations with four hundred
millions of Asia and adjacent Islands. Port
land lies directly in the line. 1t has the most
important harbor in many respects on the At
lantic coast. 1t is never inaccessible from ice 1t
is in the shortest line between Liverpool and
the Lake terminus OF the Union aud North
ern Pacific railroads. 1t has the shortest
land route to the great Lakes. 1t has the
deepest water and the shortest distance to
the open sea with absolutely no bar OF diff
culties in entering and departing.
The people of Maine are more directly in
terested, and with proper and timely action on
their part, more to be prospered by this new
revolution in the worlds commerce than any
other one State in the American Union.-
What then is the question for her statesmen,
her merchants, manufacturers, and her labor
ers?
We answer, to grapple with the work of
the hour and be prepared upon the compile
ton Of the first through line to the Pacific to
fill her place in the chain Of links which
forms the most direct route from Liverpool,
Havre and Hamburg to China.
How shall we now proceed to be fully pre-
pared to use our natural advantages and geo.
graphical position to obtain tor ourselves and
retain for our children that large proportion
of this trade (which is all interested in the
shortest line through our city and State?
There is but one answer. Vessels will come
loaded from Europe, and require return car
go. We must be prepared, not only to give
them the grain of the West, but must afford
the accommodation cheaply, as cheaply as
it can be done. The Niagara ship canal
scheme will pass Congress this season. The
other measure, ii properly managed will
hasten the time when the real estate of
Maine will be nearly ii not quite doubled in
value. We must bring the food of the West
on its way to Europe, and our New England
manufactures, into Portland Harbor for dis
tribution. Nothing is easier, if the people of
Maine pull as one man. TIE Niagara ship canal
permits lake steamers of one thousand tons
to reach that point on Lake Ontario nearest
to the sea, only about three hundred miles
distant, one days slow speed on the track to
our very wharves.
The store houses according to Cranes plan
are at the lower end of the lake, where rents
are light, and on the other end OF our great
trunk load, while the sample room and
Counting House are at Portland. Before the
ship is discharged of her cargo, the grain can
be brought over the road and ready to be
placed on board, with celerity hitherto
quite unknown. Liverpool and Portland are
to be the Ferry Houses, and daily and hourly
lines of Atlantic arrivals and departures are
realities in the not very distant future. Shall
we take itor allow it to pass us and be divert
mately belong, and where it can be less
economically conducted?
We have the natural advantages, and by
our enterprise can make it the interest of the
ship owner to seek Portland rather than any
other harbor on the Atlantic. Shall we let
the golden opportunity pass? Shall we allow
the enterprising cities south of us to clasp the
prize? Shal, narrow vision or mean selfishness
prevent this great boon to the State of Maine,
Or shall we continue to do what Boston has
lao L. Josn oil %I,a tr.
the city to be blocked by private railroad cor
porations whose only interest is large diviv-
dends to grsspiEg stockholders? No, no;
the state of Maine must Oion and control one
trunk line to the lower end of Lake On
tario. 1t will soon require two or four tracks.
1t must be operated in the interest of COM
merce and the people. 1t can transport six
or eight millions of tons of merchandise per
annum on two tracks, double that now moved
on all the roads of New England. This road
should not be allowed to return the State, its
owner, over three per cent. nor should it be
permitted to earn over four per cent, this one
per cent. set apart as sinking fund. This road
is get to be built. Massachusetts,, New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland
all haze their roads built, and all owned and
controlled in the interest of private corpora
tions.
These corporations control State Legisla-
ton and will allow all the trade zoe can ac-
commodate to pass to us rather than yield to
the public good. About this there is not a
shadow of doubt.
New England has looked idly on long
enough; it never yet has enjoyed the advan-
tage of Trunk line under its own control
leading to and tapping the great West.
With the Niagara Ship Canal built, ana
this great Trunk line allowed to earn ohiy
four per cent. nett, devoted mainly 10 'i"nS-
portation, the property throughout the
State will ha doubled in value, and the enter
prise be of great profit to all and burden 10
none.
no YOU say this is entering into eompeti-
| zion with other States? Yes, just that; aud
does not one city enter into competition with
another in the same State? This will make
the life of business, and save New England at
the same time.
At the great National Convocaton of
Boards OF Trade assembled at Boston in Feb
ruary, 1868, in which nearly all sections OF
the country were represented, the national
will was expressed thus;
Whereas Lake Ontar.o extends lake navi-
CATION nearly three hundred miles farthest
east, therefore, Resotued, That free ship
canal around Niagara is vltally essential to
tbe public interests, and is a commercial
necessity, that demands the attention and
action of Congress.