Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-18
nailp -Nennrbef Sournal
AU q u 8 II A.
"WEDNESDAY MORNING. Oct. 10, 1871
RAILROADS.


The growth and improvement of rail-
roads is subject over which not only
Presidents, Cabinets and Kings may re-
joice, but the common people also may
feel equal satisfaction. The benefits OF
railroads are not confined to the company
which makes profit in operating them.
Their advantages and use are general. A
railroad may be poor investment to stock
holders and yet blessing to the public.
They give more than they take. They
bring their benefits to every mans door in
some way.
. Before the building of railroads farmers
were obliged to depend upon their local
markets for the sale of produce. Their sur
plus products were nearly valueless. The
farmers of Maine can remember when they
had no market for apples. butter, eggs,
hay, beef, that was worth anything to
them, and when with plenty of these in
store they could scarcely obtain money
enough to pay their taxes and grocery
bills, while the women dressed in home
spun and the houses lacked all the articles
of luxury now found in the most of our
country homes. But with the construc-
ton of railroads change came. Rail-
roads opened quick, cheap, sure connec-
ton with the great business centres and
markets of the country. Farmers felt the
influence at once. Boston and New York
call to Maine for supplies. Everything
that the farm affords finds ready market.
And while the agricultural regions have
been thus benefited the inhabitants of the
cities have reaped a corresponding benefit
in the increase and cheapening Of the ar
ticles which they consume. Thus there is
reciprocal advantage to the city and
country. If our cities were obliged to de-
pend solely upon the means of communi-
cation which existed before the advept OF
railroads, and upon the contracted sources
of supply for their markets which they af-
forded, they would shrink and the poor
would be pinched to starvation. What
makes the corn and wheat Of the prairies
of the West available in the worlds mar
kets but the railroad? And what returns
to the farmers of the West the comforts of
modern homes but the same great gather
er and distributor of the worlds industry
in whatever shape il may exist?
And while the railroad thus aids the
common producer and consumer, it also
supplies cheaper and more comfortable
mode Of travel. The railroad is the poor
mans highway. He can travel many
more miles for the same money than he
could in the stage coach. Let any one
reckon the expense of a trip to Chicago,
and see how many miles the same money
would carry him by conveyance from the
stables. Sometimes railroads are men,
toned as though they were built for nc
other purpose and could accomplish no
other good than to put money in the cof-
fers of wealthy corporations, but we find
that they help the poor, and distribute
their benefits upon all. They have their
evils attending upon them as many other
but after all they are great public good
We have mentioned these facts abou,
railroads which ought to be familiar to all
and universally accepted, because they
teach US more nearly than some of the
other important truths connected with the
advantage of railroads They should bt
known and felt at every Preside in our
State. And let us not think that on day
like this, when the people will assemble at
Bangor to celebrate the completion of an
other link In the railroad system of the
land. that this public demonstration has
no significance, or is misplaced. as a
triumphal display to conqueror who has
his foot Upon the necks of the people, but
rather let us hail the event as one import
ing general good. in which all men who
desire to see the world increase in comfort
and happiness may worthily rejoice.