The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-06

The adjourned meeting of the Citizens and
City Council Committees on the Back Bay De-
pot project will take place this morning at 10
A. NJ. in the Aldermen's room. There will be
large attendance of prominent railroad men,
representing the several roads having termini
here. --..-..---.-a.-.-- -=sss-.------r-
The adjournment on Dec. 9TH was made for
the purpose of enabling the committees to pre-
sent some definite proposition; some specific
offer to induce the serious consideration of a
change ON the part of the several railroads from
the front side to the Back Bay.
After due consideration the proposition of
the gift Of eight acres has been arrived at and
the City Council last evening signifed its inten-
ton to extend the Marginal way some streets
westward of near Gould's wharf, and to extend
the streets running towards said locality as re-
quired. 1t is a most just and liberal action,
and the railroad managers cannot but SO viewit.
, 1t is to be hoped land it is firmly believed by
the citizens at large) that some of the railroads
WILL accept the proposition. Portland is spok-
en- of by glowing eulogists as the grand future
centre depot for Western and Eastern business,
the en- route avenue to and from Halifax. Semi
weekly steamers to Europe are expected, large
and extensive grain elevators proposed, a re-
stored commerce prophesied, the growth of the
population to 10000 pictured, a large number
of manufacturing establishments under the
new inspiration of the Board of Manufactures
and the ten year exemption privilege, the con-
struction of many more dwellings for the work.
ing and well-to-do classes-this and much more
is anticipated In fact, Portland, with its pres
eat and projected railroads, steamers, manufac-
turing and other projects, is to become "a great
city," -.r,u-
If this is to be so, then the front side of the
city must necessarily become crowded, and the
relief must be on the back side. Railroads
may as well begin to open their eyes to the
facts, which are stubborn and costly things, and
the removal to the Back Bay can to-day in sea-
son be accomplished Especially upon so reasona-
BILE proposition) much cheaper than hereafter.
We understand that some twenty or twenty
| five acres will be needed at Back Back, and the
required amount not already offered as gift
can be purchased at nominal price. The cost
of filling will average only about seventeen
cents per square yard. 'ts's
If the P. & O. and the B. & M. or any other
road conclude to establish depot on middle
Commercial street Portland will continue to
give them every proper facility for the progress
of these enterprises. We hope that it is not
yet too late for union depot of all roads. II
the location of those two roads are established
on the front side, then we hope the P. S. & P,
the M. G. r. R., the P. & r. and the G. Z. r.
will unite on the Back Bay. We need new
depot ON the north side to accommodate the
large majority of the residents and the growing
wants of the city, even if the middle CONNER
ciel street depot is there constructed.
The location of the p & o. track on Com
mercial street, concerning which some consid
1 erably controversy has arisen, is giving the
Maine Central managers some anxiety as to the
future hindrances to prompt business at theil
depot on West Commercial street. The P. S
& P. also, with their Commercial street ant
Portland bridge troubles, can at this time ap
preciate the value of the new Back Bay offer
A few years hence, if these railroads remain OF
the front side and the steamer wharves b,
transferred to near the G. T. bridge at the Bacl
Bay, then they will ask, ''Why, o why did WI
not avoid this terrible jam when it could b.
done cheap"
1t is question of interests and advantage
not merely for the present but for the future
with its immense'increase of business. If tn
railroads are wise, it seems to us, the answe
will be sure and prompt for the new proposition
4l4s e CAsCo.