The Republican journal., 1873-07-24
The Railroad War.

lie contest between the Eastern and
Boston * Maine Railroads has assumed
ArF phase The latter corporation, hav-
ug extended It's track to Portland. now
demands ii the Name Central that it
shall haul its freight and passenger cars
l0 any point on the latter road that they
may b. asked to. There is a statute of
This state which eompels connection OF
roads under certain circumstances, and
the reciprocal conveying OF cars, bat it is
extremely doubtful if it can be so warped
= To apply to this case.
he Presidents of the Maine Central
and Eastern roads met at the Falmouth
Hotel, Portland, on Tuesday, and adopt
ea letter as an answer to the demand of
lie Boston and Maine Road, for connec-
non. The letter commences with re-
apitulatlon OF the demand, but asserts
That Il WAS gwen to the Press for which
evidently was written before it was sent
10 Hon A. r Morrill,, President of the
our first allegation and principal com
pants are that We are now maintaining at
Portland in actual connection of rails with
me + y ? X R, and exchanging with
SAID company passenger and freight cars,
and DONG connecting business general
IN on terms unknown to you" 1t is
true thai We are doing and have been for
quite a long time connecting business
With the + y. 4 r and Eastern Railways,
making 4 through line between Bangor
and Boston and giving such accommoda-
IONS, facilities and despatch to the public,
Is are not eKcelled by any Railway line
n New England, and we have good rea-
sons to believe that our success in form
ing such line after years of laborious
effort - beng appreciated by the travel
ing and business community
II then declares that the Boston and
Name refused to do then through business
although repeatedly requested In re-
gard TO the demand that the Maine Central
allow the Boston and Maine to connect
lhelr raIis and transport cars over the
lad, the letter AYERS that all the connect
Ing railways became such by mutual
agleement and that, although efforts
repeatedly We're made, the Boston &
Name perslstently refused 10 do 80 un-
less they We've paid a larger percentage
IMAM the other road demanded Ii is also
stated thai the Boston and Maine are now
withholding from the NJ ttne Central and
connecting lines over one thousand dollars
carried by the Maine Central and collect
ed by the Boston and Maine 1t then pro
ceeds
Finally you demand OF us to designate
PRIOR to the I'D inst, ID suitable place and
manner Tor said connection to your ac-
-eptance, IN default OF which you propose
per lofce TO cut olr rails and make the
coveted connection. You certainly cannot
expect that we will in the few DAYS
allowed us by your demand" make the
necessary arrangements to become CON
Meeting roads to the extent you propose
when years OF negotiation on account of
Your severe terms have tailed to secure
such consummation. We trust YOU will
not attempt to carry into execution the
rash measure you threaten of taking forci-
bic possession OF our road" After speak
ing OF the large amodnt Of freight brought
10 Portland over the Maine Central. for
winch the Boston and Maine received
eXOrbItant prices and the UNDECIDED an
PNNi9 ioi coHcessIOn, tne letter con-
cludes as follows None of these things
moved your compassion or lessened your
+Xtortlon- Fortunately we have been
able To secure, by the occurrence of events
with which You are familiar, terms for our
through business which promise most
favorable results to the people and rail
road interests OF our State
lonr present bold demands and threats
OF violent occupation of our property are
evidently inspired by desperate deter
mihatlon to break up our present favor
aple arrangements and force us back to
me former state OF things when your ex-
actions We're measured by the amount of
revenue that could be collected of US
without absolutely stopping the locomo-
yves that brought q vast business to YOUR
door. We hope successfully to resist any
effort fraught with such manifest iniustice
and danger; beyond that we seek no con-
troversy with the Boston & Maine Rail
road. Our position is and will be defen-
SVe from which we shall not be moved
by the threats OF violent action or legal
prosecution with which you have an
bounced to the public through the pr ess
yon are about to visit us.
Very Respectfully Yours,
ANsON P. MORRILL,,
President M. c. R. R. Coy.