The Portland daily press., 1871-07-25

LAKE ONTARIO SHORE RAILROAD.-D. +
Worcester, in the Rochester, N. Y. Union and
Advertiser gives an account of a meeting of the
directors of this road at Oswego, The 21st inst
to consider bids for the construction of the
road, 55 miles west from that point. There
were fifty bids. As the directors of this road
are looking to PORTLAND as one OF its probable
Atlantic termini, an extract from the article
will be of interest to the readers OF the PRESS.
This portion of the line will be constructed
with the utmost dispatch, and will reach to the
east side of the town of Webster. 1t is quite
probable that Webster will also within a few
days complete her bonding, which will bring
the road to the Bay.
Fifteen of the bids, from reliable contractors,
were under $40, 900 per mile, including fencing,
and several at $18, 900 per mile, and some at
much lower figure. The cost will not exceed
$18, 600 per mile, and, surprising as it may
seem to some who are opposed to railroads, it
proves that a road can at this time be con-
structed over pretty rough country for that
sum.
All the towns through which the road passes
which are benefited by it are bonded. No
money or bonds except the subscriptions OF the
towns thus passed through will be used on this
portion of the road, and yet there is thus far
enough subscribed to complete the road, pay
for right of way, fencing, station houses, &C.,
ready for rolling stock. The balance of the
road to Niagara River is through much rich
or country, and except between and including
the Bay and Genessee River, it is much easier
of construction. Oswego holds also reserve
from her 100000 subscription of 5000, 900. for
the assistance of the towns west of the Gene
soc.
It is understood that the road is to be con-
structed ready for rolling stock, and free from
debt. The towns east and west have exerted
themselves to the utmost to bring this to pass,
and will likely be able to bring the road on
that basis to the limits of Rochester. Through
Rochester it will be impossible for them to con-
struct it without running in debt, and thus vio-
lating pledges made in obtaining consent for
bonding the towns.
To pass through the city it will cost at least
$500 600; it will materially increase the grade,
and lengthen the road several miles, If help
cannot be obtained, much to the regret of ev-
ery one cor Eected with the road, it will be nee
essary to take the nearer and cheaper route tor
the present and patiently wait for Rochester
to assist them at her leisure in constructing
connection both east and west; but this surely
will not be necessary. Undoubtedly Rochester
will, either by exchanging the proceeds lot the
Valley stock, or in some other way, unani-
mousiy consent to assist them to the very
modest sum requisite to construct the road
through the city.
The grand theory OF this road is to have the
most direct route from the Pacific and from
New England harbor. With this view the
routes from Portland to Oswego, and from the
Niagara River to Chicago, are now being con-
| structed, and will be rapidly pushed to COM
pleton. But this is not our only prospect for
business. Massachusetts is expanding mill
| ions on the Hoosac Tunnel and her Commits
| siopers are now negotiating tor harbor facii-
ties on Lake Ontario, with view to connec-
ton with US as soon as their tunnel is COM
pleted.