Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-28
Railroad Hearing.

Railroad Hearing.
The first matter 70 come before the Committee on
Railroads yesterday afternoon was the application
to extend the charter OF the Cumberland Central
Railroad, giving that corporation three years Ion
ger in which TO locate their road. The original
charter granted three years ago, and it Is In
tended to connect with the Maine Central at Dan
vile, and the Portland 4 Rochester at Windham,
so to make new and direct connecting line by
the way of Worcester to New York. Mr. Goold
Of the Senate, and Mr.. Anderson Of the House,
made some explanation to the Committee. 1t was
then voted to grant the time asked for.
The petition to extend the time for the compile
ton OF the Penobscot Bay 4 River Railroad, was
taken up. The city of Belfast had committee
present to represent the sentiment of that city as
opposed to the building of the bridge across the
harbor in that place, as specified in the original
charter. DR. Brooks Mayor of Belfast, appeared
before the committee, and explained the objec-
lions to building the bridge in that place He il
Illustrated the harbor by map, and showed that
the building of the bridge in that place would be
disastrous 20 the commercial interests of the place.
1t would cause the harbor to be blockaded by
ice and greatly deprcciate the value of the wharf
property. The route above this is perfectly feast
bic the question was mere matter of expense.
The preliminary survey was unsatisfactory to the
people of Belfast; they asked that the railroad
bridge be built to cross above the 'lower bridge,
place were strongly in favor Of building the road
Mr.. Hiram Pierce, Mr. c. p. Carter and Ev-
Mayor Pitcher appeared on the same side.
Col auckland, the engineer of the road, stated
the reasons for the location of the bridge on the
preliminary survey.
If the bridge is built above, the curve will be
altogether too sharp, sharper than on any road in
the State--and will involve other engineering diff
fculties.
Hon. A.G. Jewett, the veteran lawyer, appeared
in favor OF the original place for crossing the har-
Dor. The road will be sixty miles in length from
Roclland to Bangor; it will greatly help Belfast,
and as her citizens have not subscribed any money,
they ought not interpose any obstacles to the
building of the road. The best place to build the
bridge is at the mouth of the river, to serve
the purposes of a breakwater, which is greatly
needed. 1t would not interfere with navigation,
and the ice can be cleared from the harbor at an
cxnen3e Of 500. You can't build bridge above,
among the high hills and mountains.
A telegram was read by Mr.. Pitcher, from sew
eral of the large property in Belfast, who
desired to be heard on the subject, and further
hearing was assigned to Wednesday next at &c
o'clock.
The petition of John Allen and others fol
charter of railroad from Presque Isle to the cast
line of the State, to be completed by 1880, was
signed to two weeks. l.. S. Judd, Esq, appeared
for the petitioners.
The petition of John Wood and others, for a
charter for a railroad from Augusta to Lewiston,
was assigned to Wednesday afternoon Of next
week.
The committee voted to report bill authorizing
Bangor to loan its credit to aid the construction OF
the Northern Aroostook Railroad.