The Portland daily press., 1869-11-23
Letter from Watervilles

w NV Soj AoOO'
To the Editor Of the Fress:
Prosnect;yely, Waterville ranks among the
leading business towns or cities in the State.
I know of no town that has more available and
reliable water power, or is more favorably sit
uated so far as railroad communication is con-
cerned. The power at West Waterville is
quite generally employed in various kinds of
manufacturing, and that section of the town is
increasing in wealth and population. The
power at East Waterville is but partially en-
ployed, although dam has recently been
built which renders the power available to al
most any extent. In consequence of the logs
having been carried away by the late freshet,
business will be very dull in this town and the
lumber manufacturing towns above, during
the winter. A large number of teams are be-
ing put into the woods, which will give en-
ployment to many, who, in consequence of the
freshet, are temporarily thrown out OF job.
THE PROPOSED UNION.
1t has been found desirable, in order to bnild
free bridge across the Kennebec, uniting
Winslow and Waterville, that these two towns
should be made one and a petition will be pre-
scented to the Legislature, the coming winter,
asking for such union. There is consider
able opposition to the measure on the part of
many citizens of both towns, and it is quite
doubtful if the conditions on which such
union is proposed will meet the approval of
the majority of either town. The interest of
Waterville, as we'll as of Winslow, requires a
free bridge, whether a union is effected or not.
If built by loan of the credit of the towns
neither town may be called upon for the pay
ment of its bonds until its valuation shall be
doubled, which will be the case in Watervile
within ten years, if its water power is employ
ed to anywhere near its capacity.
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION.
The question of consolidating the Maine
Central and Portland & Kennebec Railroads
been very much like the mis-matched husband
and wife, who were accustomed to have bitter
quarrels and say great many hard things to
and about each other, and then come together
as lovingly as though all had been as pleasant
as May morning. These roads, as all news
paper readers are aware, have bad an ire
pressible conflict for several years, the bitter
ness of which was intensified during the ses-
sion of the Legislature last winter, and re-
newal of which nas besn expected the coming
winter There can be no question but that a
| consolidation would be for the interest of the
| public as we'll as the stock holders, provided
the fares and tariff of freight can be regulated
by the Legislature. These roads are now in
excellent condition, under able management,
and are doing large and profitable business.
Improvements all along the lines OF both roads
are constantly being made. and the exemption
from loss or injury from accident is owing
very much to the watchfulness of those in
charge of each department., as well as the
faithfulness and capability Of engineers and
| conductors. IT consolidation should be con-
summated, large passenger depot will be
erected at Waterville for the accommodation
Of both roads, and the junction will be here
Instead of at Kendalrs Mills
THE coNsTABULARY. i.'J e''
There are but few towns in the State in
which liquor dealers have carried on the bust
ness under greater difficulties than in this.
The Temperance men have been able, when
disposed, to control the town elections, and the
general desire has been to prevent, by all laud.
able and lawful means, the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors in the town. 1t is said that dur
ing the year that Joshua Nye, Esq, was State
constable, none was sold in town except in the
most secret manner. Mr.. Nye is one of the
most determined, and at the same time the
most conscientious and unselfsh, temperance
men in the State. Those who charge him with
being influenced by any sinister motive in his
devotion to the temperance cause, are certain
| ly mistaken in the man. G.