The Portland daily press., 1871-01-25
A CREDITABE WORK.
Portland and Rutland Railroad,

To the Editor of the Press:
Some comments and statements have been
made in the PRESS as to the charter of the
Portland and Rutland railroad, calculated to
confuse the public mind, and it may be prop
er to state the facts.
On the Goth of February, 1868, an executive
committee of seven was appointed by the gen.
eral committee appointed at the public meet
ing on the 10Th of February,.to take measures
to secure charter for the Portland &c Rut-
land railroad, with authority to act upon all
matters affecting the enterprise. The COM
mittee consisted. of Messrs. Poor, Carroll, Eos
ter, VIM. Deering, Rufus E. Wood, John
Jameson and myself.
At meeting of the committee at which
Hon. John B. Brown and others we're pres
ent, bill was agreed upon, authorizing the
construction of the Portland and Rutland
railroad, "from some point upon the line of
any existing railroad in the counties of York,
Oxford and Cumberland, or upon any line
that may be hereafter constructed, under any
existing charter, within the counties of York,
Oxford and Cumberland, at some point west
of the Saco river, or north of the town of
Standish, thence extending northerly or west
erly to the western boundary line of the State
in the valley of the Great Ossipee river, to
such place upon the west line of the State as
may be found expedient for the purpose of
forming connection with ia railroad to be
constructed from such place westerly or north
| westerly to the east line of the State of Yer.
mont.
Mr.. Jameson and myself were appointed a
| sub committee to proceed to Augusta, where
we placed the Bill agreed upon in the hands
| of N. A. Foster, Esq, one of our number,
| and member of the Railroad Committee
| Mr.. Foster took charge of the same, and on
the 9th of March 1868, the Bill in question
| became law. Since then, negotiations have
been had with the Directors of the Portland
! and Ogdensburg railroad, to secure common
trunk line from Portland to the Ossipee val
ley for both the Portland and Rutland and
Portland and Ogdensburg lines, and COM
mittee was appointed on the part of the cor
porators of the Portland and Rutland rail-
road company to confer with like committee
on the part of the Ogdensburg company
This proposal was declined, and every subse.
auent proposal looking to the same purpose
has also been declined. Afterwards some ne
gotiation was had with the Directors of the
Portland and Rochester road, and cores
pondence in writing between the parties, took
place. Finding ourselves unable to make any
terms with the Portland and Ogdensburg rail-
road company, or any terms with the Port
land and Rochester railroad company that
would give us suitable accommodations in
Portland, and proper connections for the
trans action of business over its line, we APP
pealed to the city government for proper
use of marginal street, and made our location
from the city of Portland to the State line,
commencing at a point on the line of the At
laDtic and st. Lawrence railroad in the city
of Portland IN the county of Cumberland,
which location has been approved by the
county commissioners of the county of Cum
berand, according to law.
The line as located, is most favorable one
throughout its entire length and may not
need any alteration, but in order to render
asked of the Legislature, granting another
years time for this purpose. N. c. RICE.
Portland, Jan. %, 1871.