The Portland daily press., 1869-07-12
The True Spirit which gheald Covers
Uxaanuxansaaa.

The True Spirit Which Should Govern |
Railroad Enterprises.
1t is apparent to all Observers that there
has been heretofore an unusual sensitive
ness on the part Of some Of the friends Of
the several railroad enterprises, which reach
out in q westerly direction, nom the
city Of Portland, lest public attention
should be SO general in its character
that q particular route, which mlsns ih-
terest one class of our citizens, wou'o .neie-
bv be neglected. Such persons simply
favor a restricted policy, provided tneir
own railroad interests and notions are SUP
served. Otherwise they would rather peat
abont and run the risk of success, or defeat.
such has boon to some extent the state OF al
fairs in Maine, and perhaps it does not con-
fine its operations to any one railroad enter
prise, and even our friends in New Hamp-
shire are subject to the same criticism. 1t is
impossible to change entirely this state of af-
fairs, iii were desirable. Selfish considers
tons are the result of circumstances in great
measure beyond the control of our next neigh
Dor Such considerations have ruled, and
will continue to have their force, as long as
man has work to perform. 1t is possible, how
ever by securing the interests OF those, who
make an effort to be governed by high princ1-
pies of public policy, SO to direct affairs, as to
accomplish much in every direction of i'm
provement and enterprise. Communities may
work sngly and for selfish purposes for awhile,
but the public eye watches such course, and
takes note, and the voice makes remarks,
which finally has the effect to change results
based upon such considerations Inc several
railroad interests which are looking westward
from the city of Portland are no longer in
incipiency, but so well matured, that success is
Inevitable. Opposition may as well space its
selfish efforts to stop either enterprise based
upon the destruction of the other. That day
has passed by, and while there may be few
who may yet linger behind to find fault, and
distrust the ability of the Portland and Roch-
ester Railroad Company to reach Rochester,
in order to make its several proposed western
connections; or the Portland and Ogdensburg
to pass successfully through the rugged dehles
of the White Mountains-the work will GER
tainly move on, until both achievements are
accomplished. 1t cannot be denied, that the
Portland and Ogdensburg has the support and
sympathy of tho enterprise of Portland, and
public sentiment is vigorously enlisted in its
success. Its active commencement, and final
early completion, will be welcomed by an en-
thusastic people. 4
The Portland and Rochester enterprise also
deserves, and has, an equal number of warm
and devoted friends, and public sentiment in
the city and along the line of the road is Wig
oronsly enlisted in its success. This road
brings annually to the city $4,000 passengers,
and larger amount of freight than any
road of the same length. The stock of the
company is owned almost entirely by our own
citizens, and the city in its corporate capacity
is largely interested in its success and in its
endeaFors to reach forth its arms into new
rich, and populous communities Those more
intimately connected with the enterprise are
| glad to receive evidences OF encouragement
from the popular voice of the city of Portl and.
So intimate are the relations of these two
roads, 60 far as affects every private and pub
lie interest of the city of Portland, we are
pleased to know, that there is no arrangement
among our citizens, but uniform disposition
to push both enterprises along with harmony
and for the mutual advantage Of both We
trust that such may be the official relations Of
both companies, and that the direction of the
same may work for this purpose The city of
Portland and her citizens have no money to
lose in improvident expenditures,-and we do
not anticipate such results. al
One of the proposed routes of the Portland
and Ogdensburg railroad runs out many miles
in the same direction as the Portland and Ro-
chester. It would certainly subserve the sub
stantial interests of both corporations, and the
great interests of the city of Portland if salts
factory arrangements could be secured where.
by both roads can use the same track into the
city for the longest possible distance. The
strongest community of interest demands that
these two roads, owned and sustained by the
same Portland capital and enterprise, should
make the most of their situation for the gen.
eral good of the whole. We are therefore
pleased to know that overtures have been
made looking towards this result. Let the
same be consummated to its farthest practical
Bile extent.