The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-25
coRHEsroNDEScE.

PORTLAND, Feb. 10, 1870.
EprroR UNION & JouRSAL:-We have been
virtually shut of from the back country, ex-
cept week OF two, the first Of this month, for
lack Of snow-a thing quite unprecedented Ia
the oldest memory, and at its 6rst fall every
one was saying We shall get II now, and the
p rticularly wcatherwise were saying, "Snow
never rots In the sky" But here IL is at this
date, and teams are picking their way under
the fences TO get country products to market. II
would surprise one, not in the walk Of trade, to
know the vast products Of the forests west and
north ofus. that find q market here. The trade
between here and the West Indies is large, and
the town and country highways which centre
here are the small rivers over which the country
sends down to US its products, principally hoops,
heading, hogshead and box shocks, and which
are mainly shipped to Cuba to exchange for the
products Of that sweet island. Every day we
feel more and more the pressing need OF sure
and extended communication through the coun-
try that lies back Of Us, and look eagerly for
ward to the day when the Portland Ogiens-
burg Il. r. shall begin to stretch out Its iron
limbs. till il shall plant its feet on the waters OF
Lake Ontario.
This road Is sure TO 60. and since the report
Of its able Chief Engineer, whose statement,
based on the most reliable and accurate surveys.
that there is one single cut, on running New
England road which involves more excavation
than the whole three miles Of the White Noun
tain Notch ard single mile Of greater cost Of
construction than those three. Boston papers
begin TO publish list Of water-powers on the
line, and the general advantages that will come
Of its building. No more carpng about the i'm
possibility Of getting through the Notch, and
that Fryeburg and Conway will be its remote
northern feeders.
Municipal politics are beginning to be discus
sed somewhat. For some years the Republican
party had been entirely managedby what Is known
rs the ring. and YOU can count them on your
fingers. The rank and file Of the party not hav.
ing been able to say word about who should
control city affairs, till at our last election, to
break the ring, many Of the best Republicans
either would not vote, or voted for the democra-
tic candidate. The democrats were wise enough
to nominate the best man in their party. who
has shown such prudence and economy in the
management ofcity affairs, that paper is being
circulated signed by such p,eu as j. Is. Brown,
II, N. jose and other large Real Estate owners,
Republicans, fayoring q citizens ticket with
Mayor Putnam ut its head. He won golden
opinions from all sides by his easy, digni6ed
and courteous bearing, in receiving and enter
tanning the representatives Of the English Gov
eminent, as well as the chief men Of our own
country, at the gathering in this city, to do
honor to the remains Of Mr.. Peabody.
There are some pretty deep and loud grcwls
at our NJ. c. from men who say he did not
morly promise they should haye.his official in
auencc as member from the first district, to
help them TO some Of the best Offices In his
"Preserye," but what they thought meant a
good deal more. lie gave them a nod. wink,
and smile, rs much as to say, "Bsrkis is will
in" 20 ahead and get your papers signed and now
feel very much'morti6ed at finding themselves,
much delapdated tail to some other mans
kite. But that is q way Of hedging that he
has. Lay il down as an axiom, never trust q
man who always smiles and explains.
Portland has lost its most respected citizen,
Hon. William Willis. Courteous and afablc,
il was always u pleasure to meet him. repre-
sentative Of the true gentleman. lie welded
graceful and ready pen, and his writings are
found in the varied literary publications Of the
day. Graceful tributes to the old rs they pass
cd to the new life beyond, were read with most
interest by his towns people. Who is then,
that will in like manner do justice to his mem-
CRY His life went out rs the sun settcth from
a clear sky. bright and undmmed to the last.
He win be sally missed. YonK.