Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-18
EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN
RAIL WAY.

The Bangor Wing of Saturday had an edi-
torial article in relation to this railroad, oc-
casioned by recent statements in the Port
land Press.
In regard to the rumor published in the
Press that the road has passed under the con-
troll of Tom Scott and the Pennsylvania Cen
trail, the Wing says
We are fully authorized to contradict every
inference contained in this Important Ru-
NOR and to challenge the Press to justify its
extraordinary course in this attempt to preju
dice public opinion without seeking to ascer-
tain the facts. Neither the "Pennsylvrnia
Central nor Pennsylvania capitalists have
any control of the E. & N. A. Railway, and
"Tom Scott" the special bugbear of the
Press, has no more to do with the affairs of
the Company than the editor of the journal.
The Wing then copies an article from the
Press, demanding an investigation by the
legislature of the circumstances attending the
transfer of public lands to the European and
North American Railroad. In reply to the
charges or insinuauons Of the Press, the
Wing first publishes the letter of Elk Govern
or Chamberlain, which our readers have al
ready noticed in these columns. Then 1t
gives the following explanation of the whole
matter
The INSTRUMENTATION of the action of the
Company with reference to the land grants
has already been refuted in our columns with
out notice in the Press, and we will state the
case here for its special information. The act
of the Legislature of 1868, conveyed to the
Company the ownership Of certain timber and
lands; the character of the grant was speci-
fed in repeated clauses of the act so that
the purport of the measure was apparent.
Certain lands set apart for settling were ex-
cepted from the grant, and the only questions
are as to some lands which it is held were not
so set apart, and the timber on some town
ships. 1t is we'll known that the bonds of the
Company are secured by lien upon the prop
erty thus granted by the Legislature, and the
bondholders are entitled to the benefit of all
that was granted by the State. A conflict of
opinion having arisen as to the proper con-
struction of the grant, and the Company be-
ing advised that permits had been given for
cutting timber which is claimed under the
grant, the officers of the Company have sim
ply requested the State authorities to withhold
permits for cutting such timber, or to appoint
a trustee to hold the stumpages until the ques-
ton of title can be adjusted by the Supreme
Court. That it is the duty as well as the
right of the Company to obtain all that the
Legislature granted them, no one will ques-
ton; and there is nothing reprehensible in
their request to have their interests protected,
pending the final Interpretation of the con-
veyance, by the State Court This is the
plain statement of case which has been dis
torted recklessly by the assailants of the rail-
way company. So far from desiring to inter-
fere with settlers, every one must see that
the company is more interested in the settle
ment of these lands than any other party,
and that they are ready to extend every en-
couragement and facility tn this direction.
The State has granted them certain lands and
timber and if there is any dispute as to the
limitations of that grant, the Supreme Court
is the proper tribunal for its adjustment. The
Company are not trying to evade this judicial
scrutiny; on the contrary, they desire it, and
in asking for it they have aroused a storm of
Misrepresentation.