The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-11-14

WHAT Is SAID OF 1T ELSEWHERE.

We do not cherish anyjealousy of the "pro-
prietors and spectators of Aroostook and
Bangor" mentioned in the following article
from the New York Eoening Post. We should
be heartily glad to see both Bangor and "the
Aroostook" enjoying even more than their
present extraordinary measure of posperity
and vigor. But the general tone of the Posts
article is excellent:
The newspapers of Maine are discussing
the propriety OF changing the railroad policy
of the State. In the early days of railroads
the people along the lines of what are now
the principal roads gave literally, as individ-
nails aid as corporations, to the new enter
prises. The iberality thus manifested en-
couraged spectators, who, until within few
years, reaped nearly the whole benefit of the
money invested and the power conferred upon
them. The people of Maine thus early learn
ed by experience to be cautious, and their leg
islators have withstood most of the efforts of
lobbyists who have sought state aid for new
schemes which are constantly invented. The
legislature has even refused to legaize the
consolidation OF the Maine Central and Port
land and Kennebec railroad companies, tear
ing the monopoly 10 be created by that
scheme would be too powerful for future leg
islatures 10 resist. We believe that no State
III Iuc ODlOu LIDS IuOTG uOueSb legislative
record upon this subject than Maine.
But for many years the people of the cas-
tern and northern parts of the State and the
capitalists whe OWE large land estates there
which they do not occupy, have tried to pro.
cure means to build railroads to connect with
the other parts of the State. The opening of
the European and North American railway
from Bangor to the State line at Vanceboro
has not satisfied this demand; it has rather
increased it. This road runs between the two
sections which now ask for railroads, and the
proposition is made for the State to subsidize
two roads, one running from Bangor to east
ward through Hancock and Washington coun-
ties TO the State line at Eastport or Calais the
other from some point on the European and
North American railway northward, parallel
with the eastern border of the State, to the
northern border, or near it. Bangor and the
towns Immediately interested in thess enter
prlses strongly urge the policy of State aid,
while the western part of the State, which is
more remotely, or not at all interested, oppose
it.
There is no doubt that these roads would
be of great public benefit. Washington and
hancock counties, which now give a good
deal OF their trade to Boston by water, would
be great source of profit to the merchants
OF Bangor and all Central Maine. Aroostook
county, in the northeast part of the State, is
the richest agricultural and lumber district of
the State, and would rapidly improve with the
aid of railroads. But why should the rest of
the State be taxed for the benefit of the pro-
prietors and spectators of Aroostook and
Bangor9 Besides the people of Maine may
well hesitate before adopting a policy which
may change the whole character of their leg
islation. The ring government in New York
should be warning so Maine not to embar-
rass itself with the interests of private cor
porations. The bad experience of many of
the western States, and the enormous corrup-
tiont in the Southern States which have fol-
lowed what is called 'liberal policy" should
teach the more conservative States TO still
pursue careful course in legislation for con-
ferrlng special privileges upon monopolies, at
the. expense of the State for any purpose