The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-05-21

NEW York. May 49, 1869.
Hon. Frederick Robe, Portiasd, He:
at hand.
am very sorry that the death Of Mr.. Frye should
have prevented my being in Portland at this time.
am gad to hear you speak SO hopeiuhy Oh sue
have nodeslre to have any undue influence used
IN order to induce favorable action OF the city Gov
MY associates OF the road will be able to present
the full merits of the case to the Mayor and Alder
men. Your character and standing should be q SUI
fcent guarantee that your Judgment Is correct and
your motives pure. You have not a sufficient inter-
est In the stock to induce you from any personal mo-
ves to ask for anything you do not fully believe to
be tor the interests of the citizens and your opinion
Is entitled to respect and weight.
SO far as could judge from conversation with peo-
pie In Portland, large majority in favor OF the
road being built to Rochester, and to take the chance
OF other Western connections being built in time.
By looking at the map as traced by me, they can
not help seeing the great Importance of those
nections, and the small amount Of roads to be built
Railroad men tell me that there will be sufficient
interest of railroads East and West of us to
the building Of all those connecting links within
very short time.
Tho grades Of the roads leading West we shall
connect with at Groton junction and at other places,
are much better than can possibly be obtained by
roads leading up North through mountainous coun-
The distance to Chicago and St. Louis from New
York is greater than by the Pennsylvania Central
Erie, and yet we ship goois way round North to
strike New York Central, which goes through the
@ low fan pc and
beat them all. Railroad men say it is easier to
go round hill than to 60 over it.
We shall get that connection with the New York
Central at Groton Junction and Worcester and
eventually at Rutland. Railroad men say that ours
will be the best winter connection that Portland can
ever get with the West for that reason, and would
be SO If were the longer instead of the shorter
route, as we are. am not railroad man. 1 only
ece1y with and @ raroad
men In friendly conversation say this!not in OPP
position to any other route think 1t is important
to Portland to make the shortest connection with
the Great Lakes possible, and think the Ogdens-
burg road viii accomplish that object. wish 1t
every success and an early completion.
went to st. Louis when its population was only
is increasing rapidly in all its parts 1t is agi
faster than new outlets to the seaboard can be built
and am told by railroad men that ours will be one
OF the best Western routes Portland have through
the connections we shall make at Rochester.
1t only remains for your city Governmental decide
by their votes whether they will aid US to build
of SO important connection with the West and also
with New York independent OF Beston), or whether
they are willing to force us to let the road go into
tor all future time from this, the only connection
possible to be made in the same direction, and pos
ssssing all the same advantages.
voted the stock do not think individuals should
mortgage the road and run all the risk think the
should take part of the stock.
think other railroads interested IN the connection
will help us build the road when they get their own
matters further along Yours, truly,
W. G. RAY.
Mr.. Dunlap said they had assurances from
other roads that they would subscribe for stock
in the Nashua & Rochester road if the Port
land should be extended to Rochester.
Maj. ROBBIE said it was the desire Of the Wor.
cester s. Nashua road to be represented at this
meeting, and it was expected the President,
Mr.. Hunnicut, would have been present to
have presented his views. But he was unex-
pectedly called to New York. He felt great
interest in the success of the proposed roads
from Portland to Nashua.
This closed the speaking. The Mayor then
offered the following resolutions:
Resolrsd That satisfactory evidence has been pro-
dueed to this Board that the Portland IL Rochester
Railroad Company will make such connection with
some railroad or railroads in the State of New Hamp
SHIRE leading to the West, as was contemplated by
the vote OF the qualified inhabitants OF this city Of
April 80, 1867.
RssoIUed, further That a committee of three be
appointed to confer with the Directors OF said Com
pany, and prepare and report such votes, ORDERS
contracts and other papers and proceedings as may
be proper and necessary to give effect to said vote
and to obtain due security for the loan and advances
to be made by the city, including the due increase Of
the sinking fund.- with view that the road shall be
built to Rochester.
The resolves passed unanimously, and Aid.
Strout, Wescott and Carter were appointed
said committee.
The Board then adjourned