The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-06-28
Isigh Street.

Mr.. EDrToR:-It seems as if a question so
thoroughly public in its character as tl.at of the
discontinuance of High Street, might be dis
cussed on its merits and without charges OF sell
hshness and private greed TN either side
The Boston & Maine railroad have expended
large sums of money iu Portland. They have
purchased valuable land and wharf property,
and NAV he presumed to have important and
nermanent inn Improvements in view. While ma
nv of our people may question the righteousness
of their OUTLAWS, all will allow that they have
shown courage aud determination therein. If
they see fit to go on and construct "magnfi-
cent depot on their land, none Will stand in
their way
But when to enable them to extend their con-
structions over such space as for their interest
seems desirable, to enable them to enter their
station by six tracks instead of four and in
advantage than they now can, they ask to have
High Street cut off from Commercial Street, the
public demur. If their property could not be u.s.
ed at all for the purposes designed, that would
give them no claim for the shutting off of an
important avenue. 1t was their business to
foresee the difficulty before buying, and act &C.
cordingly. They were certainly under no CON-
pulsion to buy at the spot designated. If their
property turns out unsuited to their purposes,
we may regret it, but cannot see howit becomes
any basis for claim to close one of the most
important highways of the city. But the truth
is, as above implied, this property can be used
without depriving the public of the use of High
Street. This is conceded. To be sure they
may not be able to do with it just as they
would like, but they can use it, and undoubt-
edly will use it without discontinuance. They
can reap larger profit from their purchase by
discontinuance and the claim for discontinue
ance has no other basis than this, SO far las ap-
pears.
The people of this city are disposed to yield to
the Boston & Maine, as to all other railroads
entering here, every reasonable advantage and
privilege. But they will abandon to no rail-
road, immunities essential to the common well
fare. Does any man question that High street
has been for many years public necessity, and
is so now more than ever?
1t is a necessity, not merely convenience,
no1-essential facility and something to be Civ
en- up without detriment No other considera-
ton, accordingly, than that of public necessity
will or eau Justify its discOutinuance. The Of
fer of strip of land somewhere else, or of a
sum of money in offset for such discontinuancc,
is an absnrdity. Can the city barter away the
public necessity for strips of land or cash in
hand? High Street is needed. 1t is needed
where it is. Business, travel, the exigencies of
fire, all imperatively require this avenue to be
kept open.
Vague charges as to rival corporations that
propose to make flag station of Portland"
and are busy ''discharging Portland employees"
or as to ''back bay land spectators" are in
bad taste and will not advance the interests OF
the Boston & Maine railroad. They should
have no part in this discussion. The BOs ton &
Maine railroad have only to show that pu6licne-
cessity requires the discontinuauce of High
Street in larger measure thsn its continuance,
and no doubt their request will be granted. but
not till then. N.