The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-17
THE CAPITAL.
Inc Boston q Maine Railroad Extension
Bill Passed the House---Animated
Discussion.

Especial Dispatch by International Lipel
AUGUSTA, Feb. 16-Aside from the ARGOS.
took appropriation the chief business of the
house to-day has been the consideration of
the charter asked for by the Boston & Maine
<ffstfroad The debate was opened by Col. Ro.
pie OF Gorham, member of the Railroad Com
nittee. who moved reference of the petition
sud Charter to the next Legislature. COL Ro-
Die made very able and captivating speech in
opposition to the charter, putting the case of
the f. s. & ?. railroad as remonstrants in its
best possible light. The question of want of
the statute notice was also urged by the Colo
mel, who contended that good faith required
postponement to next Legislature on that &C.
count, if for no other Mr.. Burgess of Port
land followed Col Robbie, speaking against the
/ Charter and in support of the motion to post
pone Mr.. Burgess made most favorble i'm.
preston as a speaker, and was listened to with
good attention. Mr. Cleayes of Portland was
the first speaker in favor of the charter, and
against postponement. He took up the posi-
ton taken by the opponents of the bill, and
showing their policy, ably vindicated the cause
OF the petitioners, and claimed that while JUS
tice to them demands the granting of the char
demanded it. Mr.. Cleaves reviewed the areu-
ments urged upon the question of notice and
demonstrated that there had been in this case
ample and full notice, a substantial compli-
ance with the statute, upon which an exhaus-
tive hearing was had before committee, and
that the T. S. & P. railroad at that time made
no complaint Of want of notice. Mr.. Osgood
of Limiugton followed Mr.. Cleayes, speaking
upon the same side, and making some very
happy and telling hits. At the conclusion Of
Mr. Osgood's speech, Mr.. Sewall of Oldtown
suggested that as this question affected the
constituents of the Speaker of the House, it
would be proper at this time to go into COM
mittee of the whole to give Speaker Smith an
opportunity to address the House; and upon
motion of Mr.. Sewall the House resolved it.
self into committee of the whole, with Mr..
Pike of Calais in the chair. Speaker Smith
then proceeded to address the House, and in
an able and mastery manner reviewed the ar
guments presented against the bill, advocating
the charter upon the ground that the public
interest required another line of railroad lead
ing from Portland to Boston. The question of
notice so skllfully raised and argued by Col.
Robe and Mr.. Burgess he contended was
purely captions and in the interest of the mo-
nopoly of the P. S. & P. railroad to defeat alto
gether the possibility of a competing line of
road from Maine to Massachusetts, Mr.. Smith
was listened to throughout with close atten-
tion and at the conclusion of his speech cries
Question" question" were raised all over
the House. Upon motion of Mr.. Sewall the
cQmmittee rose and Mr.. Smith took the chair
Mr.. Sanborn of Kittery then took the floor
amid some confusion, and spoke in fav or of
postponement and against The charter earnest
ly pleading for the delay of year, which he
thought would be for the public good AS
soon as Mr.. Sanborn concluded his speech Mr.
Moore of Buckfeld moved the previous ques-
ton, which was ordered, and thus the main
question took precedence of the motion made
by Col. Robie to postpone. Five minutes was
now aFowed to each speaker, and Mr. Lord of
Alfred addressed the House in reply to the ar
gdment urged by Mr.. Sanborn of Kittery,-
Mr.. Lord confined himself to brief and logi-
cal presentation of the facts. Mr. Stckney of
Pressure Isle next addressed the House, speak
ing in the interest of Eastern Maine and in be- |
half of the charter. AS Mr.. Sticknev tool. his
seat the cries Of "Question'' were again heard |
." '"'iouo paitS vi Iuc house, ana the clerk |
proceeded to call the yeas and nays. The re-
suit OF the vote was one hundred and five in
favor OF the charter and tme-ty-four against.
The announcement OF the vote was received
with cheers from the members and the friends
of the bill were warmly congratulated upon tho
result. The act will go to the Senate to-mor-
row for the final action of that branch thereon |
and may come down to the House for its final |
usage there tomorrow afternoon. The resist
ancsto the charter has been earnest and for
miuaoe'but it is thought tonight that there
VIII oe ho h'rther attempt to defeat il. No
question nas cis-ned the attention of this ses
sion OF the leglslatur~ that has excited so much
interest as has this petitlaa for charter to ex-
tend the Boston & Maine railroad to Portland.
II is now confidently hoped ana expected that
within eighteen months the road will be built
and cars running.
THE APPoRTIoNMENT QUESTION
is still pending before the legislative committee
having charge of the matter, and it now loohs
as though they would not be able to report be-
fo, Il