Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-02-16

to meet the committee for the purpose Of
conference. Ist, he would look at the bill and
see what it authorizes and proposes to do. I'd,
to see if the bill is prejudicial to the best in
terests of the people, or whether it is calculate
ed to advance them and develop the great re-
sources of the State. What are its provis-
ions? They are expressed most clearly and
distinctly in the bill itself. The gentleman
from IIallowell (Mr. Stinchfeld) had an
nounced with the utmost gravity that it was
general railroad law, giving all the railroads
in the State the right to consolidate. This re-
minded him that Franklin when minister to
France, ironically said that he had made
new discovery, that it was always daylight
after the sun rose. This bill is not written -
Greek or Hebrew that it needs an interpreter.
1t is general railroad law, enabling railroads
SO constructed that they find their interests
arc in harmony, to unite under this act.
| He glanced at the objections which had been
made to majority of those present at meet
ings of stockholders controlling the action of
the company. Is not this the course in all
corporate bodies? Shall those who refuse to
act control those who choose to act?
The gentleman from Hallowell had said that
the bill granted new and dangerous power,
that of authorizing them to lease other rail-
roads. Every volume of the statute laws of
Maine contains acts authorizing certain rail-
roads to lease and purchase other railroads.
He had found twenty specific cases in cur
sorry glance at the laws; and in other cases
| this right has been granted in the original
charters. The gentleman from Dexter had
entered his protest against this principle Of
leasing, as the roads might fall into bad hands !;
but as one of the stockholders of the Dexter
Newport road, even in its incipient stages,
he had voted to lease it to the Maine Central,
under the law of Sc authorizing the leasing Of
railroads to other railroads or corporations.
The inconsistency of the gentleman was
shown in very striking manner
His friend from Embden (Mr. Atkinson),
in his speech the other day, seemed to be
greatly impressed with the evil intents of the
bill. If he believed in the gentleman's child
like simplicity, he should think that his nurse
had schooled him to stay at home for fear the
bears would get him if he went abroad. To
hear him quote scripture, one would think he
was fitted for place in the council at Rome
He would reel off poetry by the yard, and
held high converse with the hcathen gods. He
delved deep into the mysteries of the law, and
brought forth both new and old. If this is
a specimen of ian ignorant farmer from the
borders of civilization" what may we expect
from an educated person? The gentleman
had argued that large corporations would sub
vert the interests of the public. Has his con-
duct been consistent? As director of the
Somerset Railroad, he has entered into a
lease with this same Maine Central Railroad,
that may in turn lease itself to any other rail-
road. Did he believe that in doing so he had
placed the people along the line in the hands
of monster? He knew that he was acting
for the interests of his neighbors, and knew
well what the result would be. The present
statute is without limitations or restrictions :;
the present bill limits the leasing of roads to
this State, and throws around them the laws
ofthe State. Can it be said in the light Of the
facts sighted, that the policy Of Maine has
been against leasing railroads?
Judge Rice then proceeded to examine the
objections that had been raised against the
bill-that it would create gigantic monopoly
with a power that would be dangerous. Is it
not the true policy of legislation to encourage
and develop power? Strike down everything
that has power in it, and you will strike down
all human progress. 1t is point in its favor,
that the corporation will have power. Will
not the interests of the corporation be in har-
mony with the interests of the people? 1t
former depends upon the prosperity of the
latter. In this fact rests the security and
pledge that the privileges you grant the cor
poration will never be used to subvcrt the in
terests of the people.
Judge Rice then proceeded to show what
railroads had done for Maine, and remarked
that we had not yet reached the full develop
ment of the system. We are now to perfect
what has been extended, and infuse vitality
and life into the entire system. The present
bill wilr bring about these desirable results.
1t is conceded to be fact that when consoli-
dation takes place, the power of the corpora
ton to extend its business will be extended.
Are we so satisfied with present attainments,
that we are prepared to repel all Improve
ments, and content ourselves with walking in
of the objects of Maine railroads to encourage
the production of freight for the roads to car
ry, and to foster every enterprise that will
develop the resources of the State and add to
the wealth of the people. Judge Rice then
referred to the great accommodation that
would be offered to the public, in event OF
consolidation, by night trains from Bangor