The Portland daily press., 1869-10-25
s re- For the Press'

Our Ho1lroud 20 Chtc84O.
We have received copies of the Oswego pa.
pers, giving us more full details of the doings
of the late Railroad Convention, than those
supplied us by telegraph at the time
The proceedings it appears, are to be pub
lished, in full, in pamphlet form which will
contain elaborate papers upon variety Of
subjects-the trade Of the great Lakes-the
Railways of the country, present and prospec-
tive-statistics of trade, and letters from many
public men of the country.
Thoughtful men among US are considering
the question of western connections, in view
of the large proportions ofthe new scheme,
as now presented over any previous one pro-
posed. a.s a.laa -.'l .a -Eh.s1 - s3-laI r
From the statistics and statements given in
Mr.. Poor's speech at Rutland, it is quite ap-
parent that transportation upon the st. Law
renee route goes through to Montreal or the
great bulk oft, without being turned off at
Ogdensburg, and it is quite obvious that the
volume OF business to Portland could be large
ly increased by enlarging the carrying power
of the Grand Trunk Line, which line is rapid
ly growing into favor at the West. Almost
the entire consumation of western produce
for Maine and the lower Provinces comes by
the Grand Trunk Railway; goes to Bangor
by rail, and to st. John and Halifax by steam
ers from this city. We are informed that
measures are in progress looking to the build
ing Of the Island Pond cut off. by which
saving Of forty miles in distance over the ex-
isting line from Montreal to Island Pond, is
saved. .a .,-..~
An arrangement has been perfected as we
are told with those interested in the Massis-
quot Railroad, by which an independent line
from Island Pond to Montreal will be secured
and direct line also, from Island Pond to
Rouse's Point, making the shortest possible
route from Rouse's Point and Ogdensburg to
the seaboard. A glance at Railroad man or
any common map of New England will clear
ly establish the correctness of this statement
as to the shortest route to the sea.
This new line win greatly ENLARGE the CO.
pacity of the Grand Trunk Railway. because
the line from Island Pond to Portland with
its descending grades, can easily bring from
Island Pond all that two roads could bring to
that point, up the heavy grades which are
everywhere found, in reaching the dividing
ridge, between the st. Lawrence and the At
lantic Ocean.
Montreal, therefore, is the great ob;ec.;ve
point upon the St. Lawrence waters for trade
with Portland, and the development Of trod.
upon this route has been rapid and nroftohls
since the establishment of the line of etoo,,-
ers from Portland to Halifax.
But if the figures given in Mr.. Poor,. Rut-
land speech are correct, the bulk of xvesterr
trade does not reach the st. Lawrence VOTERS
below Lake Erie, but is drawn off at the foot
of Lake Erie at Buffalo, since the deenen;no
of the ship canal between Lake Hnrop and
Lake Erie, or takes the railroads at Ch;caoo
direct for the seaboard at Baltimore. PbiIadei.
phia, New York, Boston or Portland The |
railway seems to be steadily gaining on water
carriage. -tr W"
In view of all these facts, the true ;n,eres,s
Of Portland are to be subserved, as II annears
% us, not by attempting new and in,ienen- I
lent line to the st. Lawrence, but BY a new
md an independent route to Chicago by way
If Oswego and Bnffalo, bringing railway and
AXE transportation both into active 1ise for
he benefit of Portland @
A due west line from Portland to Lake
Ontario, in connection with the lines already
projected and in progress between Oswego
md Chicago, will enable Portland to reach |
jhlcago by line nearly as direct as any one |
rom New York to Chicago, costing less than |
' r1,nali the expense, enabling such line to
baagn produce to the seaboard for shipment /
fspel IMAM by any other route.
ooroho aea at tide water, facilities for handling
oreian connt At Portland and shipping it to
nI,c6 less than TO-, are; and always will be