The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-11-10
AS THEY ARE, AND AS THEY
MAY BE.

RAILROADS AS THEY ARE, AND AS THEY
| MAY BE.
Although the Maine Central Railroad is
bound b. every consideration that should in
fluence its action, to accept and run our roa(
under the contract which it insisted upol
having one year ago last June, and we have
no doubt can be compelled to do so, there
are some other considerations that enter into
the question. The Central corporation is by
no means ''out of the woods in respect to
competition. 1t has practically consolidated
but it has not wiped out the possibility mol
the probability Of a competing route.
Our present lease, which it proposes to
repudate, stipulated that the Moosehead
Company shall give no encouragement to q
competing line, and that the city of Belfast
shall lend it no aid. This provision is aimed
at the Penobscot Bay and River Road the
building of which was then and is now being
urged, and was considered to be fatal to that
enterprise. But it did not discourage the
friends of that undertaking, who have con-
tinued top push their scheme. Mr. Hichborn,
who has bad great experience in financial
matters, has never doubted that the project
would succeed, even without the aid of Bel
fast He has intimated to us that aid will
come from certain sources that he had in
vestigated, and in amount sufficient to make
his road success. Camden is moving vigor-
ously in the matter of a section of the line to
Rockland, and that portion may be consider
ed as good as built, as the aid of the town
authorized by the charter is abundant, and
will be voted. The town of Stockton has
Just voted $4,000 toward the twelve mile
section between Sandy Point and Belfast,
and the aid of Searsport and private subscrip-
tons are abundant to secure its completion.
The Winterport and Bangor road, by good
management, and the stimulus OF a through
shore line to Bath, can be built. 1t has come
very near receiving the aid of Bangor, when
the prospect was much less encouraging than
now.
This would leave the sections between
Camden and Belfast, and between Sandy
oliiL tth't w HUI IVJit, oty ~ illlC', " NC
provided for. 1t will be immensely for the
interest of the Knox and Lincoln Road now
so far advanced to turn upon its track the
travel and traffic of the region that this road
will traverse. And not only may it secure
the local business, but also the tremendous
advantage OF competing at Bangor for the
business brought by the European and North
American and Piscataquis roads. We do
not overlook the fact that the European and
Central Roads contemplate a lease or con-
soidation-but it will be borne in mind that
the Legislature last winter refused its sane
ton to a scheme which embraced this very
measure. What the Central road could not
get then, it certainly cannot if it continues to
show hostility to the Belfast road. The
desire will be to clip its wings rather than
increase their power. The apprehension
of the public will create an overpowering
sentiment in favor of rival to the Central
road, that has become so arrogant and
powerful. The people will feel that they
must fight fire with fire. A consolidation of
the Knox and Lincoln with the Bay and River
Road will give Just the route required, and
the former corporation can afford to lend all
the aid in its power
The reputation of our lease by the Central
corporation will not only release us from
stipulations in respect to the Bay and River
Road but from another one Of much greater
Importance. We shall be under no obliga.
tons to pursue any particular route above the
line Of the Central road, but can lend the aid
of our charter in any direction there. Our
road, already completed to the heart of the
region traversed by line of the Central Road,
would by a close alliance with the shore line,
become an important feeder to the latter
We have the published testimony of ga COM
petent gentleman of large experience in the
construction and operating of railroads" to
this fact. Judge Rice, in his annual report
to the stockholders Of the Portland and Ken
nebec Railroad, in January, 1869, says
From Bath new line of road extending east has
been put under contract to Rockland and is now
being rapidly prepared for the iron. This line
which will at an early day be extended through the
fourishing commercial cities and towns along oul
coast to Bangor, will constitute great thorough.
fare through our State, bringing into close proxm
ty the great timber and lumber producing region
Of the east. through Bangor, and the principal ship
building and lumber consuming territory of oul
State. At Belfast this shore line will ntersect the
Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad, which is
destined, when thus connected, to bring from the
interior large quantities of freight, and much travel
which now finds its outlet east and west over the
1aine Central road. and which will make Belfast
with its land and water communications thus com
peted, one of the great business centres of the
State.
The managers of the Maine Central can
cross question this witness as much as they
please, but we hope they will not attempt to
impeach his testimony.
Thus it will be seen that though Belfast
may have some very sharp points played
upon her, she still has in her hands trumps
enough to make a very respectable show in
the little game. We shall have what belongs
to us, peacefully if we can, .forcibly if we