The Republican journal., 1871-02-16
VISIT TO CANAAN. PROSPECT OF TIL
EXTENSION OF THE RAILROAD.


the extension of the road The party con-
sisted Of Axel Haytord, s. J.. Millikcn, w.
H. Burrill, w. Ii. Simpson, W. L. Colburn,
e. IL. HERMAN, Hiram Chase A. d. Chase,
Newell Mansfield, A. d. Bean, H. s. Parker,
J. G. Thompson, j, N. Stewart. II IT, Forbes,
L. B. Frederick and others
The people of Canaan were present at
Burnham with teams 70 take the visitors for
ward Capt Fletcher, L. |. Doe, Esq, and
others Of Burnham also aided with their sleighs
in getting the party forward The sleighng
was excellent, and fine opportunity was at
torded for viewing the route. The route Tor
the first few miles is over rather unprOauctiye
land, but the travelled road is as level as a
floor, and indeed the whole proposed road is
unequalled for the ease and cheapness with
which it may be built There il 40 brilg-
| ing of any amount.
Al the village the visitors were received by
the leading citizens, and invited to an excel
lent dinner at the hotel. Here they met also
Col. Wildes, who had come over from Show
hogan. After dinner short time was spent
| in looking over the town. We found smart
thriving village, filled with shrewd business
men. fully alive to the advantages Of their
position, and the desireablcness Of a railroad
Between one and two O'Clock tho public hall
was filled with u crowd Of the citizens,
anxious to hear what might be said on the
subject that Is uppermost in all their minds.
II. G. futile, Esq, called the meeting to
order, and was made chairman. Geo. John
son was chosen Secretary The chairman
said in explaining the objects of the meet
ing, that the need Of railroad communication
was universally felt and acknowledged The
citizens of the town had within their reach
the means to do very much towards construct
ing the road to Burnham, if not the whole
They We're ready to grade and sleeper the
road ready for the rails. The distance is 8 IA
miles which can be shortened by a thorough
survey In ten years we have paid enough
to the other roads to have built this branch
and should be S2OO,0oO better off il we had
it. The freighting TO this village i G000 tons
yearly, and Athens if the road il extended
ready to take hold OF the enterprise, and
would like to hear from all Interested
MI Milliken, Of Belfast, said that the pro
noting Of an enterprise like this does not cal!
for much speaking. 1t is q matter OF bust
ness-of dollars and cents. Mr.. NJ. went in
to detailed history Of the lease TO the Maine
Central, and its present aspect. There is no
doubt, he said, that they want the Belfast
a gouge they can get out Of Us. The opinion
is gaining ground in Belfast that the road
will not submit to be gouged, and his private
opinion was that in ten years Belfast would
be better off to let the Central road 60, il the
towns above it will take hold in good earnest
to extend the road. But we want no cheat
ing transactions like those Of Brooks and
Unity II Canaan means business, we are
ready to DO all we can. We have 4 fine open
harhor, is ;,u outlet for your produce, and
inlet for supplies This meeting is 4 guarau-
tee Of the interest you feel 1t is not 4 great
matter to build this road, if you only think
50. Taxation is the great bugbcar with those
who oppose, if there are any. But the in
vestment will double itself in the increased
value Of property. We mean what we say.
Our record is a guarantee Of good faith. We
want to know that you are to act, and in
good faith, If 50, the road can be built
Mr.. Hayford. President Of the Belfast road,
gave some statistics Of the business that the
new road was developing. The receipts
were from 800 to S275 per day. The road
should be extended north Of the Maine Cen
trail Belfast has done much, and about wi
she can both in corporate and individual ca
pacity. We know by experience what may
be done to divert business from q given point
by the power Of special rates. we know
how rclentlessly the Maine Central exercises
its power, and your here know and feel il in
your pockets we can take your freight to
Belfast and send it Ivy steamers to Boston as
quick and much cheaper than the Maine Cen
trial can, He believed the day would come
when il would be done
Joseph Barrett, Esq, Of Canaan said it
would be against the interest of Belfast to
have its road go into the hands of the Maine
Central. The freight from this town and
those above will swell its receipts very large
~. Delegations were here yesterday from
Athens, expecting to meet the Belfast DiIec
tors. They would contribute largely towards
building the road. The country above il
rich in resources of lumber, agricultural pro
ducts, slate, &c. all Of which are now carted
to railroads at Skowhegan and elsewhere
Mr.. B. continued Ut length in stating the
business for rallroading
Hiram Burrill, EST, said the railroad
charges on freight furnished by Canaan
amounts to $4,000 per year He had him
self PAID 500, 900 to two roads the past year 1
II he could have the same rate for goods over
the Belfast road that is new charged to Port
land by the other road, he could take freight
here. truck it to Skowhegan and save money.
He had $4,000 bushels Of corn now ready to
come forward. lie had seen the effects of
competition before the two roads were conso
lidated. When the rates Oh the Maine Cen
trail Were too high he went to see MI. Eaton
President of the other road Mr. Moves than
sent for hi M, and he got fair rates again. If.
the Belfast road il built to Canaan Ii will he
worth 5j per cent. more than now Il viii
make immense difference to rs ANA 10 Won If
you compete. But if the Maine Central gets
your road, it will eat YOU up II we get our
people united, we can build tho road, think