Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-19
LETTER FROM WALDOBORO.


To the Editor of the Kennebec Journal:
/WALDopoRo', Me-, Oct. 10, 1870.
The railroad loan question, which has been
the great topic of interest here for the past
three or four weeks, was decided to-day by
vote Of 2S4 for, to 20 against. Some four or
five weeks ago the officers and directors OF
the Knox & Lincoln Railroad found it neces-
sary to call upon the towns and cities on It's
line for further loan of their credit 10 the
amount of S475 oo0 in order to complete the
road which is now about three-quarters mn
ished. The apportonment of Waldoboro to-
wards that amountwa $40 200. The citizens OF
Waldoboro' were duly notified tn meet IN town
meeting the lst inst, to consider the MATTER
! point. that is, TO see if they would consent
to loan theil credit for S2G, 200, additional to
$4,000, already loaned, that being their hrs'
apportonment and which is secured by hrst
mortgage bonds on the road. But without
taking action on the matter the meeting au-
iourned to meet again on the 10Th, and Win
the above result.
The meeting was called to order at two
o'clock nv the moderator, M. NJ. Rawson,
ESD, a gentleman who by the way has pat
few equals as presiding officer The meet
ing was the largest ever assembled at any one
time in Waldoboro, the hall being literally
packed. The moderator then announced that
the meeting was open for the transaction OF
business and with few predatory remarks,
and after the reading of the report OF the d.
rectors by b. b. Haskell, Esq, said it would
be as well to talk the matter over before tax
ing the vote Hon. Isaac Reed, gentleman
of ability and integrity, took decided stand
against the measure. His influence winch
is not inconsiderable, was brought TO bear to
its utmost during the two weeks which inter-
vened from the call of the first meeting 10
that of the last, to defeat the measure.
He said they were assembled there as one
family; that the town was a peculiar town.
and what was for the interest of one was Tor
the interest of all. He opposed the measure
because it was illegal he thought we ought
10 wait and have it legalized by the legislature
before loaning our credit 1.-The town, ne
said. sprevious to the war was free from debt,
with surplus fund in the treasury, but now we
were in debt to the amonnt of nearly Sl0o,oo0.
Again, there would be a tax of three per cent
levied upon the loan after three years. ana
finally that the ''sharks" would ''gobble' up
the road, anyhow and we might as well let 1t
90 now as any time" At this there were cries
of "no. no. Let US have the railroad!
Mr.. j. S. Perry said, 'as they had found it
a pretty hard road to build, he thought. the
sharks would find it pretty hard road to
'gobble up"
Mr.. Thomas Genthner, another of our ci-
tizens, spoke at length in favor of the road.
showing the advantages that would accrue
from having it finished at the earliest possible
day. He thought the case was plain enough.
Remarks were made in favor by DIR. +. A.
Daggett, NJ. NJ. Rawson, Amos Lash, {. f.
Packard and S. w. Jackson, Esq.
Mr.. Jackson went over the ground In terse
and comprehensive language, showing whern
it would be for our advantage. and compared
our present travelling facilities in sad contrast
with that of the Madawamkeag merchant
He was in favor Of the road he would not be
so if he did not honestly believe it to be for
the benefit of the community, and finally
closed with glowing appeal for enterprise,
activity and business.
Many who were opposed changed their
minds and voted for the loan, while others
walked off, leaving the friends of the measure
a chance to carry il by vote Of -four to one.
Owing to the immense crowd within the
building it twice settled with tremendous
snap, which came near causing panic, but
by the GOODNESS of the moderator order was
restored, and no accident occurred.
By unanimous vote, the town further voted
to instruct their representative, Hon. Isaac
Reed, to use his vote and influence in having
the measure legalzed next winter.
1t seems that there was considerable re-
sponsibility resting upon the action that Wal
doboro' would take on this question, as all
of the other towns ard cities on the line had
previously voted in favor, on condition that
the other towns would do the same. SO
Waldoboro' dissenting would have made the
whole thing null and void. RHIoN.