Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-24
Remarks Of Senator Chase Of WashingtO

In Senate. Feb %, on the Piscataquis Central Rail
road bill.
Mr.. PRESIDENT 1t seems to me that a
plain statement of the prominent facts in this
case, is enough to induce any fair minded
man to vote for this charter. There may be
prejudices, or personal interests which may
override the judgment Of some, but to me
the equity in this case seems to be all on the
side OF granting the charter. l said the other
day in speaking of the road from Bath to
Portland, that if l could vote for that road,
could not conceive of road | would not vote
for, and now | say if l could not vote this
road, can hardly conceive of road would
vote for
AS | understand the facts in this case,
Dover and Foxcroft, and some adjoining
towns, few years ago were in tolerably
prosperous condition, doing quiet, healthy
business, but they thought their condition
could be improved by having railroad connec-
ton with Bangor, and have the advantages
which generally accrue to those places loca-
ted near to the head or terminus of the road
They therefore bargained with the directors
Of the Bangor and Piscataquis railroad that
if they would extend their road to Foxcroft,
they (the people of Foxcrott, Dover, &c.
would take 100 900 dollars in stock, which
was equivalent. and supposed at the time to
be equivalent, to giving outright that amount.
One condition of this trade, was, that the
railroad company should not extend their
road beyond Foxcroft for at least five years
from the time of its completion This trade
was carried out on the part of the railroad
company so far as to extend the road to Fox
croft, and on the part of the towns, so far as
to put in the one hundred thousand dollars,
or nearly that. To that extent it was all
right, and both parties were for a time salts
fed. Dover and Foxcroft built expensive
public houses and made other improvements
to meet the demands of an increased business,
but it soon came to light that the railroad
company were preparing to make another
extension of their road Against this, Dover
and Foxcroft protested and begged, and in
sisted that the company should stand to their
agreement, but all to no purpose. Before
4wo years from the time the cars first came
into Foxcroft, work was commenced on the
further extension. The Dover and Foxcroft
people told the Bangor and Piscataquis COM
papy that if the road was extended, they (the
Dover and Foxcroft people, would do what
they could and wha they had right to do.
to get road on the short route to Dexter.
To this the railroad company replied, "We
will take that risk" Now Dover, Fox
croft, and the other towns, come to
this Legislature and ask il to grant
them charter to Dexter, which will
shorten the distance from their places to
Portland and Boston some fifty-four miles,
and enable them to save a large amount in
time and expense, in part compensation for
the loss of being the terminus Of the other
road. If this statement is correct, (and we
have before us this statement, in substance,
over the signatures of five of the leading and
substantial men of that county, besides the
statement was made in the other house, and
was not denied, think, by any of the oppo-
nents of this measure,) is there anything
wrong in those people asking for this charter?
Is there anything wrong in their trying to get
back part of what they have lost by the
other road breaking the agreement? Will
this Legislature refuse the charter and COM
pei those people to pay tribute to the Bangor
and Piscataquis road9 Compel them to pay
so cents more per barrel for flour, and ten
cents more per bushel for corn and other
things in proportion more than they would
have to pay if they were let out by the way of
Dexter? According to the Bangor Senator's
these people have saved $4,000
in one year by having the benefit of the Bangor
and Piscataquis railroad. think that amount