Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-25
Aeral anu State Mems.
MAINE CENTRAL.
Annual Meeting ut vateryiile- Com
troll of the Road passes into the hands
of the Eastern company.

the atteAuance, aItnougu inc nan was very wen
filled at the opening. On entering the hall, this
suggestive motto met the eye, pasted upon the
wall Behold how good and how pleasant 1t Is for
brethren to dwell together in unity" Although
the motto was designed for another purpose, the
whipped Maine Central men thought it would APP
ply to them should they quietly accept the newt
able. Most of the persons present were bona hde
stockholders residing in Maine, but as the voting
depended upon the amount Of stock held. those
from out Of the State, though few in number, held
the balance of power.
The meeting was called to order by the Presi-
dent, Hon. Arson P. Morrill,; and the Clerk, Hon
Josiah Ii. Drummond read the call for the meet
ing.
Joshua Nye moved that the number of Directors
be fixed at thirteen, and that a committee of three
be appointed to receive, sort and count votes for
the same.
Charles A. Dow Of Waterville, said that he
thought that number too large; it should be re-
duced to nine, that some methods of management
might be introduced to reduce the expenses, and
pay something to the stockholders who now re-
ceive nothing.
Mr.. Nye's motion was carried, and the follow
ing committee appointed: Joshua Nye of Angus
ia, c. H. Haskell of Portland, Geo. D. Whittle of
Salem, Mass.
Gen. John Marshall Brown Of Portland, asked
the indulgence of the meeting for few minutes.
Two tickets for the board Of directors are present
ed, SO much at variance as to excite remark and In
quiry. We find before us two tickets-upon one
the names Of gentlemen who have been connected
with the road and identified with its interests and
management from its Incorporation; upon the 9TH
or ticket the names Of gentlemen who have no
material interest in the road, and who are almost
entirely unacquanted with its management We
find upon one ticket the names of the men who
in the early struggles of the road put their Shout
ders to the wheel, labored zealously and unsefsh-
ly to make the road magnificent property; sus-
tanned its credit and when help was needed put
their hands deep into their pockets. These men,
or the most of them, have been dropped from the
other ticket-names of some of the orig sators
and the most steadfast friends of the road. On
the other ticket are the names of gentlemen-ot
undoubted integrity of character, it is true-but
never identified with the road, and representing
property that has no interest in the State, but
representing stock purchased by the officers and
agents of the Eastern Railroad OF Massachusetts,.
He made no allegation Of mis-appropriation OF cor
porate funds; nor did he accuse certain parties OF
selling out. He would ask why has this Massachu
sets corporation acquired this power Is ii to con-
troll the affairs the Maine Central They certainly
have not come down here to show Us hoic to man
age this railroad. Their management ottheir own
road has not been successful, that they wish 20
give us a lesson in railroad management. What
does this mean Does it not involve change OF
management and policy Peace and harmony
had characterized the policy OF the road; it had
been managed for the interests OF the stockholders
and the present excellent condition OF the road Is
due to the men who are to be deposed to day, al
though four-fiths OF the stockholders are IN favor
of their election. y change will revive the bitter
and reopen difficulties, that we may not live
to ended. 1t will reopen the railroad war, and
make the Legislature scene of railroad lobbying.
We have right, he would repeat, to respectfully
ask, what is the policy those gentlemen propose to
adopt
Gen. Browns speech was listened to with the
most profound interest, commanding the respect
even of the dominant party and was received with
applause
Gen Geo T. Sheplcy said that he supposed the
right of stakeholder in a corporation can hardly
be called in question. He thought the questions
asked were pertinent. What is to be the policy Of
those gentlemen who are - take control OF the
road i: As had been stated the names of gentle
men who had given their best efforts to the road,
had been left OFT. He looked i'll vain for the name
of Patten. No citizen Of Maine need be told that
large portion Of the road would never have been
built had it not been for the Pattens. John i.
crowns name is left Off, No one need be told
what capacity he has for the management of this
railroad corporation. The friends OF those gentle
men who had been substituted would scarcely
claim that they were better qualified to fill these
ticket Portland is left with one Director only, one
who has never been connected with the manage
ment of the road, while Enfield, y. H. and the
country towns Of Massachusetts, must have their
Directors. The corporation fund of the Eastern,
used in the purchase of Maine Central stock must
be represented, but Portland is left unrepresened.
These names not left off without reason; and
as a humble stakeholder he would ask courteously,
what is the reason They don't do this for moth.
ing. They do not take funds from Massachu-
sets and come down here and turn out these men,
who have managed this road so successfully, and
put in other men, without purpose. 1ou have
got a meaning and purpose, gentlemen, and
we have right to ask what Is that purpose
Gen. Shepley's remarks were received with dem
onstrations Of applause.
No one seemed, however, anxious to answer the
conundrums that had been proposed, although the
chat rman of the meeting concluded to 'wait
awhile in patience" It reminded us Of the little
incident related OF the thief who caught steal
ing pork in a gentleman's cellar. The man of the
house heard noise in the lower regions, and OPP
ening the door called out to the fellow asking him
what he was about. The question was thrice re-
peated but silence reigned Finally the old fell
low went down cellar and selling the pork thief
by the nape of the neck, asked why he didn't say
something when he spoke to him. "What in the
devil could say :" was the only reply made.
The ticket presented for the consideration of the
meeting by the Eastern Road, comprised the fol-
lowing names :-Abner Coburn, Noah Woods,
Frank w. Hill, Darius Alden, Nathaniel NJ. Whit
more, Arthur Sewal VIM. G. Davis, Frank Jones,
James w. johnson, James P. Cook, John Wool
drcdge John Cummings, and George L. Ward.
The ticket presented by those in favor OF re-
tanning in Maine the management of the road,
comprised the following names A. P. Morrill,
Abner Coburn, Darius Alden, Lysandcr Strck-
land, J. b. Brown, Geo. M. Patten, Lewis Pierce,
Frank Jones, E. F. Webb II. ~ Jose, John F.
Osgood, j. W. Bradbury, j. p Baxter.
Previous to voting, the chairman, Mr. Morrill,
said that he noticed his name was being used as a
candidate for one of the Directors. He had
steadily announced his purpose to retire from the
board at the end of the present term, and he beg
ged his friends not to use his name as he should
not accept the position
Voting was then proceeded with, the stockhold
ers voting themselves or by proxy, each share be-
ing entitled to one vote. There are 1886 shares
1000 lo11 . tbo c1os Al