The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-06-20

THREE short articles in Saturdays Press are
| suggestive. | accept them texts for few
practical remarks. The first was headed "Ad
ditional Facilities for Business" the second, SIS
| it JUST tile third, ga City Government under
| Arrest. This first two articles were favorable to
the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad (cty)
| loan. The third related to the bankrupt city of
Galena, Illinois, made bankrupt by an over
dose of railroad enterprise" In the first
ticle it hwas stated that the "fiour and corn
merchants" and 'some of the weghtiest repre-
sentatives of nearly every important branch of
business here carried on have given one con-
senting testimony to the effect that additional
railroad facilities such as the p. & o. and its
connections will furnish, are indispensable to
the trade and prosperity of Portland. Admit
that this road would be advantageous to all these
"weighty representative" of trade What
then? Does it follow that the city should build
the p & O. railroad, whatever it may cost? Is
it the legitimate business of city to provide
business for her business men? To take upon
herself risks and assume responsibilities for
their benefit which the prudent business
men dare not take on themselves? Which of
these ''weightiest representatives has ever
taken a dollar of the first mortgage bonds of
this road, except, it may be, as collateral at big
interest and low price? The less weighty citi-
zens would think more of their opinions and
advice if they would show their faith by their
works? They have undoubtedly taken some
stock and so has the city. 1t has shown great
interest in their welfare by taking about $780,
900 in the stock of the p. q o. railroad, and
now stands ready to pledge that nay more, to
give it outright if need be, to any party or par
ties who have confidence enough in the success
of the enterprise and It's beneficial results to
carry it through to completion. Where are the
capitalists and railroad men of the country who
are always ready and willing to take hold when
they see a good opening? The rose colOred
views of the Notch of the White Mountains
which have been so often painted of late,
ought surely to point TO that opening.
This job of putting railroad through that
mountain gorge has been fully ventilated be-
fore the public and yet what capitalist or rail
road man has responded with the money? Bos-
ton it is true, is lying in wait at North Conway
for Portland to open this highway, that she,
true to her instincts, "may enter into our la
bors'' and switch off the traffic and travel to
Boston, when the cars shall get fairly through
the Notch. But Boston will never furnish the
money to build that road nor undertake the job.
Shall Portland build it for her? She is now en-
couraging us to do SO by sundry sugar-coatcd
articles in her leading papers. (See late Nos.
of the Boston Journal and Advertiser.) Has
Boston ever shown such a friendly interest in
the railroad projects of Portland that we
should trust her now, and plunge into an I'M
fathomed sea of debt at her fattering sugges
tons? Nay, "she is foolng us, she is but
speaking one word for Portland and two for
Boston, whose Eastern Railroad at n. Conway
would surely put its fares and freights so low as
to give Boston the lions share of the traffic, and
the p. & o. Railroad ruinous competition
Since Boston now wants this road Through the
Notch, let her build it, or at feast do her part
according to her wealth and population, for we
cannot now prevent the road, beyond Conway
being Boston as truly as Portland road.
In the expressive language of late 2. & o.
circular, (page 18th of the appendix slightly
altered to meet the altered feeling of Boston, /
would say,-"Is it not marvellous that citizens
of Portland in the Portland and
Ogdensburg railroad - Deriving their susie
nance and support, except salaries, directly or
Indirectly from Portland, whose trade, whose
income, whose prosperity, are all interviewer
with the growth a, d welfare of the city, should
ioin hands with Boston, in urging the city of
Portland to build the Ogdensburg road through
the White Mountain gorge, to be occupied at
North Conway by the Eastern railroad of Bos-
ton! p Disguise it as we may, we cannot es-
cape the stubborn fact that Boston now meets
and confronts us at North Conway-competlng
for the trade, products and manufactures
brought the Notch, when Portland money shall
open the gate. Recent excursionsts have been
struck with the business of the Eastern railroad
at North Conway and the improvements that
wealthy corporation is making to accom-
modate and attract future business. Trains
arrived regularly, well filled with travellers,
and one freight train from Boston with the fur
niture for the new public house now being fin
ished, was particularly noticed by some Port
land furniture dealers
Boston evidently holds the KEY to all this
mountain travel, trade and traffic, while Port
land is being forced, Eyes forced'' is the word,
to unlock the door.
Fellow-Citizens, are you ready to vote the
city money and credit TO an enormous amount
for such purpose? We have been long time
yainly competing with Boston for the trade and
products of the eastern part of our own State,
which daily go by and through our city to Bos-