Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-26
RAILROAD CONSTELLATION.

The meeting at Portland on Tuesday even
ing in relation to consolidation was wei at
tended. Mr. John Neal introduced resoiu-
ton declaring that the proposed consoiida-
ton, involving a change of gauge, which the
meeting had come together to consider, would
he breach of faith with the Grand Trunk
Railway and its British stockholders, alarm
ing and preposterous in itself, and dangerous
to the business interests of Portland.
Mr. John A. Poor spoke against consolida-
ton and in favor of the resolve. He gave
some history of the railroads Of the State, and
showed that he desired to advance the inter-
ests of Portland and secure a broad gauge
line to Halifax.
Hon. Woodbury. Davis replied. He said
he was drawn into the meeting Monday even
ing out of curiosity to see what counsel the
citizens of Portland proposed to take with re-
gard to a matter with which they had no more
concern than with his private affairs He
could not ascertain what the meeting was for.
The subject discussed was not the one named
in the call. Mr.. Poor had discussed the pro-
cess by which our most eminent citizens had
obtained possession of the Portland and Ken
nebec railroad. Are we to enter into quar-
rel with Messrs. Brown, Shepley and Jose,
and to allow ourselves to be dragged into the
gcntleman's private quarrels? He had APP
peared for the old corporation and had reason
to believe his clients were satisfied with his
action, though he did not find it necessary to
denounce the ten men referred to as thieves.
Nice legal questions were involved, and all
his clients desired was justice. They de-
n0unced no man. No one has anything to
say against the Grand Trunk road. under its
old or new management. The contract it has
with the Maine Central road will expire in a
year or two and it has no claim beyond. The
business it derives from the Maine Central is
extremely small. 1t can have no ground
whatever for complaint. Is it not for the in
terest of Portland to have the Maine Central
extended into the city? Why should we not
have another line of communication with the
interior rather than be dependent on the
Grand Trunk? Who shall say we may not
do it? Is it for the interest of Portland? So
much talk has been made that very few know
what consolidation really means. No one
knows the terms of agreement between the
two roads, in fact, as yet there is no con-
tract. In a few days the meetings of the
stockholders will be held, and the whole thing
will be made known. He denied that there
had been any intentional mutiation of the
records as insinuated last night. He thought
the meeting was designedly called to talk
about the matter before anything was known
about it, He showed how the Portland and
Kennebec road, burdened with debt of two
million dollars, came into the hands of the
present directors, and dwelt upon the advan-
tages of consolidation to the roads. The
Legislature did not see fit to authorize it and
the present proposition is not for consolida-
ton, but the lease of one road to the other, which
is an entirely different affair. The leasing of
roads was the commonest thing in the world.
As citizen of Portland he asks what objec
ton there could be to this. If there were any
men of Portland? Only one thing can result
from this opposition. Certain men who have
had quarrels with all the roads in the State
wish to enlist the public in their 4uarels. 1t
is our interest to be on good terms with the
people of the State, not to revive old quarrels.
Our business does not depend on guages. The
business of the narrow guage Portland and
Kennebec road, in spite of its connection with
Boston, has more than quadrupled under its
present management. He showed the great
benefit to the city the road had been and how
absurd it was to suppose that men with as
much invested here as Messrs. BSown, Jose
and Shepley would do anything to injure the
business of the city. He replied to Mr.. Poors
explanation of the third rail business, refer
red to his suits against the European and
North American road and his opposition to
the Portland and Ogdensburg road from its
commencement to the present time.