Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-17
Remarks OF Mr.. Foster Of Kennebec,

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Remarks OF Mr.. Foster Of Kennebec,
IN SENATE, Wednesday, Feb. Is, on motion to
refer to next Legislature bill for the extension Of
the Boston Maine Railroad.
Mr.. PRESIDENT This bill proposes an ex-
tension of the Boston l. Maine Railroad into
the State of Maine from South Berwick to
Portland. The honorable Senator from An
droscoggin, ON Friday, when this came Up for
assignment, spoke of fighting this question,
while for one think we should not approach
its consideration in spirit of controversy.
We are here to counsel, to consult together,
without pique, without bias, unprecedented, and
to determine hat is for the best interest of the
whole people of the State. We are the guar
dams of all high and humble, and they have
right to demand protection at our hands.
have investigated this question carefully,
and have very decided convictions, and be-
lieve them to be correct. l favor the motion
to refer to the next Legislature. The requis-
its legal notice was not given on the petition.
The Revised Statutes, chap. 2, sec. So, re-
qaires in this case three weeks publication,
the last to be fourteen days prior to the COM
mencement of the session. No notice has
been given except by the committee during
the session. 1t is said that the p. S. & p.
Co. appeared, and thus waived notice. Yes,
but there is party that had no attorney there
absent, silent, relying upon that section So.
Every patron of every railroad in the State is
interested, and wants full legal notice when
this great outlet between Portlanfand South
Berwick is to be meddled with, that time and
opportunity be had through the press and 9TH
erwise to meet very interested parties. Shall
we ignore that statute? Shall we law makers
be law breakers, and set such example by
trampling it beneath our feet?
This bill presents question of great i'm
portance. Here is the gateway. Here lies
the throat of nearly the whole railroad sys-
TEN of Maine. ANY choking, any blood
letting here affects that whole system, because
the more tariff, the less transportation is the
general rule. Thus the roads suffer indirect
ly and the patrons of the roads directly, be-
cause whatever toll Is taken here of the roads
east, whatever blood is let here, these roads
charge over to their patrons, and are made in
voluntary toll gatherers. yield to no man in
earnestness of desire for the development of
the States vast resources, to no man in regret
at impoverishment and decrease of popula-
ton in many towns. That great industry,
agriculture, with US must be chiefly sustained
by manufactures. Both greatly depend upon
cheap transportation. When the lions paw
is reached into this State manipulating this
outlet, we should be on the alert. This con-
parties are the Eastern road, dormant appar-
emily, but no doubt eager. The Boston &
Maine with some few towns, as Wells, kenne-
bunk, kennebunkport, &C., which if the ex-
tension be built, l admit would be somewhat
benefited, are the second party. The p. S.
& p. third, and nine-tenths of the people of
Maine the fourth party. l have no particu-
lar interest in any railroad, but general in
terest for all in the State. l am trying to
guard the interests Of this fourth party. The
evidence before the committee showed a lease
of the p. S. & p. to the Eastern and Boston
and Maine for some twenty years past, and
| showed a net profit to the lessees, made
mostly within the past few years, of 5000, 900.
| That sum has been taken from our people
who sent freight. Some twelve miles of the
P. S. & p. road, added to the Eastern, reach
South Berwick and meet the B. & NJ, and
here lies the quarrel. That twelve miles OF
| road is the key to this contest When the
lease was recently terminated, and the p.
& =. paid the Eastern and B. & M. each
100000, the B. & NJ. apprehended that
twelve miles of freight might induce the p S.
& p to induce transportation over the East
ern instead of the B. & NJ, and upon an cap
prehension" only as the President of the &
NJ himself testified, this charter is sought.
1t was thought best to make a "demonstra-
ton" And l verify believe It's only demon
stration, and that they never will build, never
will put millions of their stockholders money
into this road, but as soon as they should get
this charter will make terms with the Eastern
and the p. S. &. 2. 1t is said So ZOO, 900
foreign capital is to be brought in. That's de-
fusion and snare, as plausible as the assertion
that the sun rises, when in fact it actually
does no such thing. If that amount be brought
in, if the road be made of gold and is to lie
there intact, it is of no benefit except to the
places named, while on the other hand we
| shall be obliged to pay the interest on that
investment; for these roads somehow man.
age to get that. A costly house given a poor
man may be burden by taxation. 10
Competition-I used to have some conf
dence in that argument, but there is very little
in it practically. Railroad managers are con-
ciliatory look to their interests and agree upon
tariffs. The Senator from Androscoggin and
myself once stood shoulder to shoulder on
that argument, and won, but as soon as the
Legislature adjourned, the roads agreed upon
like rates. If this charter is granted the
chances of combination of these roads for
| another immense profit are increased. This
State gave the 2. S. & 2. charter providing
for reduction of profits to twelve per cent, or
that the surplus of profits above twelve per
cent. should be appropriated to public schools.
Will you now build parallel line and take
away all chance Of surplus? Is it just? 1t is
for our interest to help the p. S. & P. and
then if the surplus is not forthcoming let the
States Attorney commence process to compel
performance. Let us hold at bay the p. s. &
z. If it is to combine for extortion, we are
to build new outlet The evidence is that
the p. S. & P. can do many times its present
business. Another track can be laid if neces-
sary. This extension if granted should be
under legislative control. 1t is our fishing
ground and if 100000 are to be made there
let us not yield the ground. The b. M.
would rather give tens of thousands of dollars
than not obtain charter. Why "seems it SO
particular" with them? Why this tremendous
warfare by outside parties? 1t reminds one
of the poets description of a battle.-
"Already dart wars lightning flashes
And brave hearts culver,
As they feel that they stand