Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-25
From the Bangor Whig and Courier.]
THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR-SHALL
NORTHERN MAINE BECOME TRIBU.
TARY TO NEW BRUNSWICK

The vital importance of developing the re-
sources Of the immense tracts of fertile terri |
tory lying unpopulated and dormant, in the |
northern section of our State, has long since |
been fully conceded, but while spasmodic ef- |
forts have been made and special expedients |
resorted to, with a view to encouraging the
settlement of these lands, it is daily becoming |
more apparent that this object can only be at
tained by the adoption of a comprehensive
policy which will insure a general and SUBJ
stantial Development, by bringing the isolated
region into direct communication with the |
channels of immigration and trade, giving
convenient access to the remote interior and |
furnishing the new country with an outlet tor
Its productions. The question of building |
railroad to the northern boundary of Aroos-
took has been discussed for years without ac-
ton, and while we have debated a measure of
such import to our material prosperity, the
State has been drained year by year of the
active population that should have been build
ing up the mechanical and agricultural in
dustries of Maine, and great area of terri
tory, rich in its natural resources ard capa-
BILE of contributing so largely to our wealth.
has been lying unsettled, untitled, and un-
developed.
| While we have been hesitating, however,
other communities have not been unmindful
of the opportunity to reap rich harvest from
Aroostook, and the vigorous measures adopt
ed in New Brunswick remind us that we must
move at once or surrender the trade of the
richest portion of our State to our enterprising
neighbors. The extension of the Provincial
line from Woodstock to River du Loup,
skirting closely along the border of our State,
and tapping the innumerable streams that
drain the most valuable portions of the coun-
ty into the valley of the st. John, will posi-
lively. control and monopolize the traffic of
! hot nj l.,
of railroad that will afford an outlet through
our own domain. The New Brunswick line
is heavily subsidized, counties lying along our
border are contributing freely to its funds,
and we must meet the fact that this road is to
be pushed rapidly forward along our frontier,
with the inevitable result of diverting the
trade of our whole northern section, unless
we move immediately and in earnest.
| The development of this territory is mat
ter which affects the State at large, and
the policy which shall be adopted towards it
will in most important degree decide our
future growth and prosperity. While other
States have been eaping advantages from the
liberal encouragement of enterprises of public
Importance, we have adhered to a policy
which, although dictated by the prudence of
other days, has kept us at stand still, watch
ing the expansion of more progressive COM
munities. 1t is time for us to consider wheth-
er this caution results in the practical econ
omy which it was intended to secure
whether the experience of other States does
not indicate the wisdom of more liberal meas
ures, and in brief, whether the time has not
arrived for Maine to adopt policy better a.
dapted to our present circumstances and more
in harmony with the vigorous spirit of the
times.
The question will be brought directly before
the people in the proposition now pending
before Committee of the Legislature, for
the charter OF a railroad through Aroostook,
with such partial assistance from the State,
as, with other contributions, will insure its
construction. The enterprise is one which
has exceptional claims to such encourage
ment, and we hope no false conceptions of
economy will prevent its thoughtful consider
alton. The necessity for the road is apparent
and we cannot conceive that the State under
proper guarantee, could grant its aid in d.
rection promising more safety of investment,
while the ultimate advantages aecruing would
be beyond computation.
The general plan of the proposed road,
which is to start in the vicinity of Bancroft on
, the line of the f. & N. A. Railway, is indicat-
ed in the second section of the charter, which
reads as follows:
SEC. 2. The said Corporation is hereby
fully empowered to survey, locate, construct,
u
railroad with one or more tracks, and all nee
essary buildings, tunnels, viaducts, turnouts,
side tracks, culverts, bridges, drains and all
other needful appendages and appurtenances,
from ssme point on the line of the European
North American Railway, near where said
railway crosses the Mattawamkeag river the
second time going east, in or near Bancroft,
and from thence northerly by the most feasi-
BILE route to some point on the st. John river
at the northern boundary of this State in
Van Buren, plantation or Letter G, with the
right to build the main line into the town of
Houlton, or branch from the main line to
said Houlton, as may hereafter be found most
practicable for this corporation. Said main
line north of Houlton to be located through
towns or townships in the first, second, or
third ranges west from the east line of the
State, as said Corporation may determine
most feasible, with branch from some point
on said main line, westerly to Portage Lake
plantation, and thence down the Fish River
valley, to the St. John river in Fort Kent
plantation.
The projected road will not exceed two hun
dred miles in length, and its cost, ready for the
rolling stock, is estimated at $40, 900 per
mile, or total cost of $4,000,000. 1t is pro-
posed to commence at or near Bancroft, and
build from 20 to so miles per year, and the +.
Il N. "A. Railway Co., and other connecting
roads are expected to aid largely in equipping
the line as fast as it is opened. The State is
asked to loan its credit for $4,000 per mile,
advancing 100000 when ten miles of the
road is completed for business, and like
amount for each succeeding ten miles, taking
first mortgage upon the road for its securi-
ty. The City of Bangor will be asked for a
loan of $1,000 per mile, under similar condi-
tions, taking a second mortgage for security,
and the remaining $4,000 per mile will be
made up by individual subscriptions to the
stock.
The total amount required to complete the
road would therefore be raised, as follows,
viz:
By loan of the State credit $4,000, 900
City 1000, 900
Stock subscriptions, 1000, 900
$4,000, 900
These sums it should be remembered are
not demanded at once, but only by install
ments as the road progresses, SO that every
dollar paid would be secured by lien upon a
n rno in I'll