The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-31
The New Bangor Scheme and il. Advo.
cafes.

| NC NcW banx0r Scheme md its AdvO,
| cafes.
Under the above heading the St. Croix
Courier goes at the Directors of the European
and North American Railway Company, with
a"sharp stick pointed at both ends. We re-
publish the article In order to show what the
feeling is at st. Stephen, Calais and that Vi
clnlty. 1t may be remarked here, that such
feelings are not altogether confined to that
section OF the State. The opinion has been
expressed in the western part of the State,
qu'et'y IL not openly, that the Bangor man.
ayers were rather grasping in their endeayors
W nave railroad built for their especial bene
nj, without putting stheir hands yerv deenlv
INTO their own pockets. Says the St. CROW
Courier:
We have noticed for some time that Ran
gor has lively way of advancing herself at
the expense OF the public We are told she
can show a long list of efforts in that direc-
tion. Years ago the excellent road from Bau-
gor to Houlton, long known as the military
Road" was built by the general government
for the purpose of b frontier Defence" and it
gave Bangor, at the public charge, the lead in
Aroostook affairs for many years. This was
Tue uTSt success OF Bangor.
But after while the road from Houltou to
calais was built, and as it opened way some
twenty 1.-TWO miles shorter than the "Military
Road, ,'the influence of the impetus given by
tnat road wore out, and it became necessary
to start soJethirg new.
Fertile in ..expedients Bangor started tho
"Aroostook railroad. The ostepsible object
OF it was to develop the public lands, but the
details OF the scheme made an absolute con-
veyance of about all the lands to the proiec-
tors. 1t was introduced to the Legislature in
1859 with considerable flourish of trumpets,
but was met by Mr.. Pike of Calais, and after
severe fight sent to popular vote in June,
1899, when the scheme was beaten by about
four thousand majority. Bangor voted early
and often" but without effect.
when the war came on and the State was
devoted to its prosecution, Bangor took ad-
vantage OF the popular sentiment and urged
its scheme under the captivating title of
coast defences." The first year it failed, but
afterwards succeeded and gotta grant OF the
lands.
This legislative success was followed by eff
forts at Washington which havebeen rewarded
by gratuities of something over eight hundred
thousand dollars. 1t is said that the chief ar
gument used latterly at Washington was that
the colonial connection, insured by means of
this road, would greatly facilitate annexation.
With these public endowments Bangor has
succeeded in building road up the Penob.
scot!river, and is. now pushing across the
country to the boundary line. At that point
it strikes Western Extension, which this
Province has furnished the money to build to
st. John.
1t is understood that the proprietols of the
line from Bangor to st. John have had but
very little occasion to put their hands into
their own pockets for funds to carry out their
plans. Maine and New Brunswick have gen.
erousiy furnished the means and given them
the benefit.
All this thus far has been on international
grounds. 1t has been done to facilitate travel
and business too and fro across the line of the
province and State. Its fraternal title of "Eu-
ropean and North. American" indicated an en-
iarged purpose of disregarding temporary
boundaries and acting for the good of the
whole.
But now Bangor wants something more
Having got the public lands she wants the
State OF Maine to build a road 10 them. With
TINS end in view we notice in the Wing an ar
tlcle calling for aid because of the danger
there is that New Brunswick may get por-
tlon OF the trade of northern Maine.
Bangor looks on the Houlton Branch with
jealousy. 1t complains that Aroostook trade
is diverted to Passamaquoddy Bay. 1t fears
AAO.SASAL 4AotlO AAdy HO IOuScT Uc LrlUuLdry
to Bangor, but may seek the nearest market.
And so it utters no manly word to its
wealthy citizens. 1t does not say to them
that it is their duty to put their hands in their
pockets and protect their own trade. 1t does
not appeal to their public spirit and love of
locality, but with utter unmanliness it ap-
peats to supposed prejudice in the State
against the Province OF New Brunswick. 1t
says in effect to the people of Maine: "Don't
allow the bluen0ses to take our trade away
from US. Help us TO beat the Provincials in
their efforts to facilitate the trade of the I'D.
per St. John valley. Don't allow your hated
rivals to fetch and carry for the people of
Northern Nain.er
we notice the poor spirited appeal for the
purpose OF calling attention to it at Freder-J
Teton and Ottawa. These same gentlemen
who are using this sectional argument against
us in Bangor have not yet done teasing onr
local and general governments for assistance
to their schemes in New Brunswick. They
Want lne dominion to build their railroad
gfifdge across the St. John river, and they
want whatever else they can get. When they
next apply let them be shown the arguments
they use at home. We have NO idea that
their selfish ami cheap appeals to prejudice
VIII prevail either with the Legislature at Au-
gusta or the people of Maine, bat as a matter
OF public interest we call the attention of onr
readers to them.