The Republican journal., 1873-03-13
From the Progressive Age.
Bay and River Railroad,

Mr.. Editor The editor of tue Republican
journal has seen fit to aliude to the 9 Collector
OF Belfast in reference to his action at Augusta
on the Bridge" question Of the Bay & River
Road. 1t is true that at thn urgent request Of
the President of the road, who, from sickness
was not able to attend to it himself, at 4 late
day did 90 to Augusta to DO what little |
could to save interests regarded vital to the
charter Of the road. IT there was anything
gained at last by being known as Collector the
Jealous representative from Belfast is RESPONSE
pie therefor, as he saw fiji to cali the attention
OF the House to myself as Collector. 1t is not
true that | gave my opinion as Collector. The
bridge issue is . in nut SHELF In case of it.,
construction as at present located there VIII
be some inconvenience to vessels in passing
through draw. There mag be q tendency of
such bridge to hold floating tee, and sooner
close the harbor in extremely cold winters.
But think as a rule the harbor otteuer freezes
below this point than above it, on account OF
the fresh water coming from Goose river. That
the bridge will ruin or destroy the harbor rs al
legged is absurd The damage to whari-Ownerz,
u any, VIII be more than compensated for by
the increasing business and value of those
Wharves, which the road will bring If this
view is incorrect, the law il ample IN its pro-
VISIONS to protect those property owners, by
application for damage to the County Commis-
sioners. and farther the President and Direct
ors OF the road, if they >hail be fortunate
enough to effect Il contract for its construction
VIII be more than willing to meet wharf.own-
ers and the city of Belfast in the spirit OF com
promise, to bridge the harbor at such point as
Will best convene the interests of the city and
save the road and this without any compulsory
act OF the legislature. Why should they not do
50, and why should not Belfast meet the cor :
poration in the same friendly sprit2 Are not
their interests mutual? The question for Bel
fast TO consider is, whether its population shall
remain stationary for the next ten years, as in
the last decade, or whether there shall be a
growth, an increase of twenty-five per cent. to
lis popu!atlnn as it may add TO its valuation in
the same ratio, thus invigorating trade, en-
HANGING the value of real estate, and essenng
the burden of taxation. How can this be done
simply In two ways Enlarge productive in
du>try, and increase facilities of communica-
ton. The citizens of Belfast have initiated a
step-ail credit to its pioneers--ln the right d.
rectlon, VIZ: its shoe factory The Collector
has shown his sympathy by taking an interest
in the same, very small indeed, but as large
perhaps in proportion to his means, as any
citizen TO the " manor-born." | trust this is
but the beginning of the industry, to be follow
ed by other manufacturing enterprises. The
revival of shlpbulding is another help, which
should be tostered by every citizen of Belfast
To encourage shoe manufacturing stimulate
ship building, attract capital and population,
direct railroad communication has become
necessary; already the ground is broken for Il
railroad from Bangor to Bucksport, soon to be
followed by one from this point extending
through the principal shore towns of eastern
Maine. The Bay IL River Road meets the
European and North American at Bangor, also
the Piscataquis road; TINS opening commun-
cation with the northern and northeastern Dor
ton of the state rich in slate, lumber, shp-tim-
Der and agricultural products. Can Belfast
afford to fold her arms and see this whole en- :
terprise pass by her harbor, by a swift steam
ferriage from Bucksport to Rockland? Should
not Belfast be foremost in helping to secure
this connecting link with Bangor and Bucks
port, thus securing direct rail communication
with the entire network of railroad of the
State-present and prospective? Has not every
business man, real estate owner and tax payer
Of Belfast, a direct interest in the Bay & River
road that makes this connecting link with all
other roads? road that is available to trans
port daily, manufactured goods to all parts OF
the State; road that Is open for the enterpris-
ing citizens of Belfast to draw upon the entire
eastern and northern portions of the State, for
ship materials, lumber, stock and agricultural
products without limit2 Let the thoughtful
people of Belfast consider, and all hands to the
rescue. The prosperity Of Belfast or any other
town is the prosperity of the county in which
all good citizens have common interest
Whether the slurring of neighboring town
or the " slaughter of the innocents" in said
town Is manly journalism, or even wit the in
teligent readers Of the Republican Journal
must Judge. b. NJ ROBERTS.