Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-12

the democratic side in politics; but for 30 years
she had sent to the Senate of the nation many
true and noble men who could not be Influenced
by legislative corruption. Samuel Southland,
the compeer of Clay and Webster; the two I.
Frelinghuysens, men of pure life and ire
proachable character, and to-day the cham
pion of cheap postage and the abolition of
the Thanking privilege, honest John HILL"
represents that State in the Congress of the
United States from the district lying close up
to New York. Does this look as though the
people of New Jersey are controlled by the
Camden Amboy? ............... .z
Pennsylvania has been cited. What are the
facts? The Pennsylvania Central controls
nearly twelve hundred miles Of railroad. 1t
is consolidation of roads. 1t puts
more freight into Philadelphia than all the
railroads of New England into Boston. 1t is
admirably managed-in this respect it has no
superior in this country. 1t will not be con-
tended that the Pennsylvania Central controls
the political and Legislative action of the State
Place the railroad system of Pennsylva-
MIA beside that of New York. There
is no consolidation in the latter State and there
we find an exhibition ofpolitical and legislative
Generalization equalled in no other State of
the Union. The war between the n. Y. Central
and the Erie is so evenly balanced that by the
weakness and intrigue of few men out of the
one hundred and sixty who compose the Legis-
lature, result can be given to either road.
For many years the war of these two roads
and the interests gathered around them has
been going on If these roads were made
one this corrupting war would be done
away with.
He referred to the history of several nations
to illustrate his position, and showing that two
rival powers were more dangerous than one.
Unite the Portland & Kennebec, and the
Maine Central and their tributary lines, and
give the State uniform and harmonious
system, and who will come here to distract
the Legislature? Will the railroads have
any occasion to make strife in the Legis-
lature? The companies get all they ask
by the bill. Let their lines be united, and
tlemen had thought that war is the nor
NAL condition of railroads; unless war is
going on, the people do not get their rights.
But if peace is desirable for people it is de-
sirable for railroads. What would have been
accomplished III Maine had peace reigned in
railroad matters instead of war. The peo-
pie would have saved at least S. ,000, 900,
which would have been expended on branch
roads along our chief river valleys, where the
God of nature designed they should be- But this
we have lost. Let us now put an end to this
strife. Consolidation will be the means of
bene fitting these roads and also the public
which they serve. 1t will enable them to give
US advantages which we do not now have. 1t
will finally lead to uniformity in guage, so
that the people of kennebec, Sagadahoc,
Cumberland and York can receive freight
from the Eastern section of the State with
out change of cars. The bill secures uni
formity of guage in the State which the in
terests of the public demand. 1t is not
without the union of the roads provided in
the bill. The war of the guages had cost
the people of England hundred millions of
dollars. Consolidation had there secured
peace and prosperity. Consolidation gives
the same prosperous result wherever adopted
in this country. He said the day was not
distant when New Brunswick, Novia Scotia
and the Canadas would be united with Maine,
and the rest of New England with bands Of
iron. common railroad system, and to the
Republic by common bonds Of interest.
At the close of Mr.. Stevens remarks, the
committee adjourned to Tuesday afternoon
next when the final hearing on consolidation
will be held.