The Portland daily press., 1872-01-02

We are glad, Mr.. Editor, to see that the Com
mittees of the Citizens and the City Council
have succeeded in obtaining so favorable prop
Osition for Union Depot to be presented to the
railroad meeting here on Saturday next.
There is nothing like united effort, and in this
case it shows what can be done when people con-
centrate their forces. The proposition is as you
have stated, the owners of the location desired
Ca w. H. Clapp and G. @ Clapp's heirs) agree
ing to gUe the $50 900 square feet of flats for the
depot site, the city to be asked to continue the
marginal way westerly from Goulds wharf to
perhaps near Elm street, and also extend the
streets and approaches to said locality as they
may be needed.
l. In the first place, the gift of the flats is
most liberal and public spirited act, and Messrs.
Clapp and others are entitled to the thanks of
the citizens for it.
g. The City Council, without doubt will, at
their special meeting, Friday evening, pass the
resolution asked for by the Committees promis-
ing to,carry out the extension OF streets and
margi way as asked for.
g. The majority of the citizens and the voters
favor the movement. The leading railroad men
connected with those roads located on the front
side admit this -
l. There should be two depots If there is to
=
ner of Commercial and Maple streets, then there
should be one all the more on the Back Bay,
thus accommodating all parts of the city and
the different railroad interests.
s. The citizens of Munjoy HILL and the north
ern and central wards since the entire transfer
of the Maine Central at Grand Trunk to the
Portland and Kennebec station, have to travel
over mile and three-quarters if not two miles
to the depot to go Down East. Before the
change they could take the cars at foot of India
street. Justice to them (and these residents
form large and respectable portion of the COM
munity) demands nearer and better railroad ia
cilities.
g. Such an offer as is now made would not
remain untaken in Boston or New York twen-
ty-four hours.
1t matters not whether it is brought about by
A. B. or G. The question is, SIS it for the pub
lie interest?' If so, and we know this oommu
nifty so regard it, let it be accomplished.
7. AS has been well stated, and is apparent
to every citizen, Commercial Street is crowded
to-day. There is not room enough for more
tracks and transit and unloading of cars. The
Cape Elizabeth bridge road is vexed question,
and the P. S. & p, with worthy consideration
are, we learn, determined soon " to solve the
riddle" and become emancipated from that To-
cality, and relieve the bridge highway from its
present troubles and dangers. Commercial
street is on the outer circle, and the city cannot
be widened there. 1t must look to- the Back
Bay as the escape from the present growing op-
preston. The Back Bay is central, and accom-
modates the people best. Commercial street
merchants have petitioned for the new depot
Let Commercial street and the wharves be
used for freight, and the Back Bay for passen-
gers. The Back Bay is ON the inner line of
railway connection with the G. T., the Maine
Central, the p & R., and P. & O., and for pas
senger business is as far ahead of Commercial
street as Portland is of Clam Corner.
8. We are for front harbor Back Bay, East
ern promenade, Western promenade, Fore riv-
er, Casco Bay Portland and Rochester R. R.,
Portland and Ogdensburg R. R., Maine Central
r. r., P. S. s. P. r.. R., b. & NJ, Eastern,
Grand Trunk, and any and all enterprises
which are presented Portland is to become
grand railroad and commercial center. The
completion of the European and North Ameri-
can road to Halifax, will bring to the ,ads GEN.
tering at Bangor and Portland, an immense
business, enough of all 1t is therefore well to
cease ali envyings and and jealousies, and to
sinaugurate a united, earnest and progressive
spirit in railroad affairs.
8. Railroads should be regarded as public
highways, and conducted for public accommo-
dation, instead of enriching private individu-
ais and realizing big dividends. Let some if
not all of the roads having termini here, noao
unite, and carry out the po lular will, and locate
in a Union depot on the Back Bay, accepting
the liberal proposition now pending
PRoGREss