The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-04
Letter fl Om Augusta.
"ANTI MoNoPoLIsT" REVIEWED. 8
AUGUSTA, April 8. 1871.

AUGUSTA, April 8, 1871.
TO the Editor Of the Press:
Some time ago, perhaps 80 long that it is too
ancient to notice, "Anti-Monopolist" wrote
letter to the Argus, in which he declared that
the monopolists, whoever they may be, con-
trolled the railroad legislation Of the State.
The writer then went on to show that all the
members of the Railroad Committee were in
terested in some particular line, either con-
structed or contemplated. Senator Holland
was at first supposed to be an impartial man,
but it was soon found that his job was the ex-
tension of the Androscoggin road to the Grand
Trunk road at Danville! An immense job in
deed! In Senator Neatly, "Anti-Monopolist''
at first thought he had just man without any
axe to sharpen on the committees useful
stone, but alas he was in favor Of the Boston
& Maine extension! 1t may seem just bit
pa,adoxical that "Anti- Monopolist" should, in
another place, press his deep satisfaction at
the success of this project as victory over the
monopolists and about the only one of the ses-
sion. French of Somerset, was the friend of
ex-Gov Coburn. This certainly is a crime,
| but very general one in that part of the
| country where A. and P. Coburn do business
| and have spent their whole lives-so general
that it extends to all honorable and honest
men of all parties. If "Ant-Monopolist" in.
tends by the term friend, to mean tool, and
| from what we know of that writer, we are in
clined to believe that be does not appreciate
any difference, to consolidation, favored the
Boston & Maine extension and the Brooks &
Bangor branch, three very important matters
| in which he would fail to agree with Mr. Co
burn. Mr.. French had no job.
OF the House Committee Messrs. Patten
Robbie, Bird, Hartman and Woodbury. were
interested in railroad lines. Mr.. Burgess lived
ed in railroads for just action. S.wall of Old
town is accused because he has acted in seve
raj cases as the attorney of the Maine Central
and members had several times notified tn,
House of the fact; yet no measure can be point
ed out-none exists-that he championed TO
that company.
During the last days of the session, johnson
i Of Augusta referred to Sewall as the gentle
man of the minority, whose show of cando
and apparent honesty carried the House. Mr.
Sewall replied by saying: "The corn is up; yo'
had better bring that scare-crow in" Mr.
johnson acknowledged the corn" Sewall di'
good sob" for Aroostook in aiding to get
bill through that will, in time, harmonic tn
interests of Aroostook.
Now it strikes us that when the presidin
officers of the next Legislature come to max
up the Railroad Committee, it would be we
for them to call the members of their respee
tive branches TO their rooms and ask them sew
eral questions like the following: "Does an
railroad run through or near your town." 81
your residence near any contemplated ljne {
railroad?' SIS it possible that the people 20
represent will ever ask for a charter?" sd
you know anything of railroad-building, ih
costs and the benefits to be derived?" sd
you know anything of the needs Of the Stat
in this respect?' do you believe in railroad
anyway" The member that could reply neg
atively to all these questions according to "Ar
ti-Monopolist's" theory, would be an ornamen
on the Railroad Committee.
Next the writer assails the Railroad Commits
soners for being in the interest of the monor
0lists and dancing attendance at the Legisls
ture. With but one of the Commissioners hav
we any acquaintance; but respecting all, tn
facts are that Col. Wildes was at Augusta bu
twice during the session, once stopping owe
one night to meet the other members of til
Board, and once down in the morning return
ing at night. Messrs. Blake and Corser spen
about the same time there, and then on bus
ness strictly official. This is daLcing attend
ance with vengeance!
The people of Maine, with legislature lik
that of last year, have no cause for alarm fror
monopolies in railroad matters. Any geners
bill of consolidation could have hardly con
manded more yeas and nays. There YVES n
combination of companies strong enough I
carry any measure.
1t is quite probable that the failure of som
pet scheme or railroad trick before the legisl.
ture was the cause of this cry against that bod.
cry more Of revengeful rage than actual alarm
e. u. NJ