The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-04
Portland e. Ogdcnsbura Railroad.

large number of citizens and business men of
Portland for the appointment of a commission
to ascertain and report upon the practicability
of an extension of the Portland & Ogdensburg
Railroad through the White Mountain Notch,
gave hearing to the petitioners at the Alder
mems Room yesterday afternoon.
The meeting was called to order by Alderman
King, chairman of the committee, who read
the petition and stated the object of the eet-
ing to be to hear anything the petitioners might
| have to offer additional to the statements and
suggestions contained in the petition. He fur
Their remarked that the powers of the commit
tee were only to consider the subject matter and
report upon the same to the City Council.
Mr. Charles 4. Jose rehearsed the contents of
the annual report of the Directors of the Port.
land & Ogdensburg Railroad, and said that the
popular feeling had been that the Directors, in
their earnestness to prosecute the work of con-
struction, had erred in Judgment in relation to
the cost OF construction and prospective bust
ness He defended them from such charge,
and said he had drawn, the petition before the
committee, and with one OF two exceptions all
the names were obtained by his personal solicit
tation. The petitioners felt the great import
ance of the measure and had expressed strong
desire for commission to thoroughly examine
the whole question E
RENSSELAER, Cram, ESQ.,, said he believed the
citizens generally were in favor of the compile
ton of the road, and that it was a measure of
great Importance. The amount of aid-S2, 5OO,-
OOO-called for was large, and there was feel
ing that 1t would not complete the road; if they
could be assured that this sum was sufficient, it
would receive their sanction. He believed the
Directors had acted in good faith. and their
statements and estimates were based on fire.
quent "Reminiscences If the present was
new enterprise he should oppose it, but 81, O0O,-
600 had already been expended, of corporate
and individual money. The result of this ex-
penditure is inadequate because the enterprise
is not completed. If the sum asked for will
complete the road to the Vermont line, the
whole enterprise will have cost only about
a. 900, with debt of only about 50 50O, OOO
and by the completion of the road through
very fertile country it will bring to Portland
business that she has never had. To this should
be added the mountain travel and the increased
traffic in iron and lumber. In his judgment
this business will pay the interest on three
fourths of the cost of the whole road, and pro-
vide sinking fund which will liquidate all liza
bibities in thirty-five years. Meanwhile the
city will have had all the advantages of the
business of the road, which will be worth more
than the interest of the money already invest
ed. He said the expense of survey would be
great, but he believed it was expedient to form
the commission, which he hoped might be made
up of those who are not partizans either way. d
Mr.. T. G. Hersey said there was difference
OF opinion as to the expediency of the road
among the signers He originally had doubts
as to the expediency of the city becoming
stakeholder in a railroad, but he voted with the
majority. He had some doubt as to the sum
asked for being sufficient to complete the work,
but was anxious that the commission should
settle the question if possible. He referred to tie
fact that Portland had once the New Hampshire
and Vermont trade; but we lost it because Bos-
ton tapped that country with railroads The
same general facts are true with regard to East
ern Maine, and it is our duty to reclaim at least
our part of the business by opening new COM
munications. .-'a...- ..aav
Mr.. Moses Gould inquired as to the probable
cost of the commission, how it should he formed
Mr.. Chas. E. Jose said it was proposed to Sc
cure the service of three competent men, who,
from their position and connection with the in.
terests of the city, would be able to give cor
rect and reliable report The expense should |
be paid by the city, as legitimate charge, the |
citizens being themselves largely interested in
the measure, and the question of the extension
being OF direct Importance to every citizen. He |
believed the expense would be nominal. The |
engineering question will, he believed, settle it
self within three weeks. The great question
then to consider will be the value of the road |
as opening up the West and the nearby coun-
try. Another great question is, what are our
necessities, and what are the most available ad-
yantages to be secured.
Moses Gould said his question was not an
swered. A commission will cost from $4,000 to
$1,000 And even if the commission reports
favorably, will the people vote the 81, 900, OOO9
No! We voted the original subscription with
man predicted that that was but an entering
wedge, and his prediction has become fulfilled.
If the road is built we shall be called on for
more help for depot grounds, buildings and
postulate that this will be freight road main
ly, Mr.. Gould went on to show some of the
difficulties of getting through the White Noun
tam range on account of the heavy grades and
clrcuitous route. He then, at considerable
length, with the aid of map explained the
scheme of road to White River Junction via
Cornish, West Osppee, Meredith and Danbury
and the Boston, Concord & Montreal road.
Mr.. Daveis asked information as to what |
amount of money is requisite for the expense
of the commission.
Mr. Cram replied that survey that would
satisfy the minds of the public would require
about month, and the expenses in his judg- |
ment would be very light. The engineers would |
only be required to verify the surveys already
made, as the reconnaissance of Mr.. Lindsay |
has determined the most feasible route.
In reply to a question by Mr. Mccarthy,
whether the petitioners had any persons in view
as members of the commission, Mr.. Jose said
he had heard the names of Judge Fox, G. z.
kimball, Gen. Frank Fessenden and Rensselaer,
Cram mentioned; some of these gentlemen be-
ing known as decided opponents of the loan.
Mr.. Cram suggested the name of Weston T.
Milliken, and Withdrew his own name, on &C
count of private business engagements.
The hearing then closed "