The Portland daily press., 1870-10-07

set rallrOau proJect, Wnlcn came prominently
before the public, more than twenty years ago, |
as necessary extension of the Maine Centsal
road into the upper Kennebec valley.
The kennebec river describes the line Of an |
S from Norridgwock to Watervie, SkoWhe-
gan laying northeast of Norridgewoel, though
lower down the river. From Norridewock 10
West Waterville to point Of connection Win
the line of the Maine Central Railroad, the
distance is but thirteen miles, while 1t IS thlr'y-
one miles to the same point following the river
to Wateryille, and thence to common poih'
at West Waterville on the line of the Name
Central so that Norrdgewock and all the
towns above it are eighteen miles nearer to
Portland than by the way of Skowhegan The
whole of upper Somerset, therefore, mas iaSo
ed the Somerset road, which was chartered in
1860 The charter was extended IN 1866 and
since then its construction has been underta-
ken, the Legislature of 1868 authorizing certain
towns interested to subscribe to the stock.
This brought opposition from Skowhegan'
and the towns below, which have made an eff
fort for charter from Skowbegan north, but
hitherto without success. The Maine Central
Railroad Company, by vote Of the Directors
on the 31st of January, 1868, voted to take
lease of the Somerset road for 30 years, agree
ing to pay $1,000 annually per mile, on the line
to Norridgewock, equal to the interest on
$16667 per mile, and 6 per cent on cost not
exceeding $4,000 per mile on the whole line,
when built through to Carratunk Falls, dis
tance of thirty-two miles, and the time for com.
plotting the road was Fixed at Jan. LIST, 1872.
The people ON the line have been diligently
at work. The line is graded from West Water
vile to Norridgewock. The bridge at Nor
ridgewock is in good state of forwardness,
the abutments and piers laid in the best of
| masonry, and we'll advanced toward compile
ton, and the grading and masonry for the en-
| tire line are well advanced also, the work
being paid for from the subscriptions of towns
| and individuals, the sum of 100000 and over
| having been raised and expended supon the
line, out of 100000 of stock subscribed.
| The opposition ID Skowhegan, and below it
| in the river towns has been kept up all the
time, and some have supposed that the plans
| for consolidation could interfere with its pros
poets, ard every effort was made on the part of
Messrs. Dunn, A P. Morrill, and Lockwood, to
induce the Directors of the Somerset railroad
| Company to favor consolidation, and the Union
| Advocate published at Arson, Democratic
paper, has been unceasing in its efforts to break
down the Somerset road, in order to compel
connection at Skowhegan, instead of West
| Waterville, but wshout effect. The line is
going forward from West Waterville to Cara.
funk Falls, and the people on the route are de.
termined to raise sufficient funds to grade the
line, and to fit it for the reception of the rails
before asking any aid outside of the local inter
est to be affected. West Waterville. Norrdge.
wock, Arson, and all the leading towns above
Norridgewock are working with upanim
ity and earnestness, and they believe
with good road paid for, and guar
anty of per cent annually on the entire cost
of the line on the part of the Maine Contra
railroad, they will be able to buy their iron al
advantage, and secure without loss to anybody
a needed public improvenf ct. North of Car
ratunk Falls there is smost favorable line tt
Moosehead Lake, and to Quebec, and we I'm.
derstand that measures will be adopted to ex.
tend the line as soon as the locomotive shall be
run.to the foot of Carratunk Falls. For L
miles above Carratnnk Falls, the Kennebet
river forms sort of lake, favorable to steam
navigation and at the head of this navigable
basin, are the splendid slate quarries of Hon
Hannibal Hamlin and others, which it is un.
| derstood, are to be commenced upon, at an
early day, if not already worked. ~
The people at Lewiston seem to have taken
a good deal of interest in the Somerset rail-
road, because it is from the valley of the Up
per Kennebec they will draw their supplies OF
country produce The division of the line
| froy rs 10 bxrx n
vile and Norridgewock to the narrow gauge
line at Skowhegan will affect them, for it will
turn the trade the other way, and largely affect
the trade of Lewiston, which has become an
| important local market for the country con-
Meeting by railway at the north of it. x.
| War Notes.
King William sanctions the demand made
| by the Germans who were expelled from
| France for indemnity for losses sustained
thereby The German maritime towns also re-
| quire special damages, asserting that although
| their vessels escaped capture, the damage to
the shipping interests of their kingdom
| through their compulsory sojourn in foreign
| harbors was great. 1t is claimed that France
has placed herself in opposition to the progress
of civilization in having seized property on the
high seas and an indemnity is now asked for in
order to prepare way for universal recognitio II
| of the principles of freedom of private propert
in time of war under all conditions.
The adherants of the French Emperor are
very active in England. Rouher and Jerome
David are living in London. They go to CHS
adjust quite frequently to confer with the EN-
| press Eugene. Rumors that the Prussian gov
| eminent is not hostile to this movement in ia
| vor of Napoleon are repeated and some persons
even assert that Bismarck furnished part of
| the funds for the establishment of La Situation,
the Imperial newspaper.
| Late advices from Paris announce that Tro-
chu is turning to good account the experience
and abilities of Gen. Ripley. The Parisians
claim that the Prussians will find plenty of de-
fensive contrivances to face before entering
Paris.
The battle which occurred near Chateau G all.
lard on the 4th has been productive OF impor-
and forced to retreat. The position taken by
the French was one that necessitated the evac-
uatlon OF Pithiviers by the enemy. The Prus-
sians abandoned that point with so much pre-
clpitation that many CATTLE large amount Of
forage &c, were left behind, all of which fell
into the hands of the French.
I4ate advices from Paria state that there is
much activity there. All Of the bridges on
the railways and highways 20 the west of Par
the Prussians advance.
Beauvais, Al miles north west of Paris, has
o %en made great victualliny centre by the
Germans.
The Prussian preparations for the lombard
ment OF Paris, are nearly complete.
The presence OF Gen. Beauregard in Eurone
is denied. '0Po
The steamers of the Hamburg American
line are being used for the detention of French
prisoners.