Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-04
rEyoDscOT BAY q RIVER II. II.
Interesting Hearing b sfOre tho Railroad
Committee Belfast Arcused-No Decis.

ralToao commlttee On the proposed act 10 extend
the time for building the Penobscot Bay &
River Railroad. As the proposition Of the road
is to bridge Belfas. haibor below some of the
most valuable wharf property in the place, about
thirty Of the influential citizens and property
holders Of the place, were present, including Hon
s. L. Milliken, Judge Williamson, A. G. Jewett,
Esq, W. H. Mcclellan, Esq, and W. H. Simpson,
Esq. There were several citizens of Camden
present, among them T. r. Simonton, Esq, and
gentlemen from Rockland, greatly interested in
the building of the road: The people of Belfast
are feeling most intensely the subject, this be.
| ing the second hearing tina. has been had on the
| subject.
! Judge Williamson was the first to appear for
| the remonstrants, claiming that the proper legal
notice had not been given in the case. The own
ers OF property, whose rights are greatly affected,
| demonstrate, because they have not had the prop
| or notice.
Hon. J. w Bradbury, counsel for the Maine
Central, said that that company has large and val
liable wharf property, which would be destroyed
if the bridge is built as proposed 1t could be
| shown by competent engineers that there is way
in which the bridge can be built without imrairing
| the value OF property. Had proper notice been
| given, the remonstrants would have had compel
ent engineers present to show that a bridge could
| be built above the wharves. He disclaimed any
| unfriendliness to the road.
| w. II. Mcclellan, Esq, appeared as counsel for
| the petitioners. In 1867 charter was granted to
this road; among the rights guaranteed by that
charter, was that Of building the bridge at Bel
| fast; the legislature of 1873 extended the pro-
visions of the charter two years; and this charter,
with all its rights and privileges, is in full force
at this time, but expires by limitation about the Goth
| Of this month. No new thing is asked--no new
powers-the rights Of individuals or corporations
are not touched; but lit is simply asked that time
| may be granted to let them complete the road.
| The meeting week ago was complete waiver Of
notice; the many citizens of Befas! who have APP
peared and been heard, have practically waived
! notice. The Maine Central say their property
| would be Injured by the bridge; but in 1850 this
same property was taken by the railroad commits
sioners for the benefit of the Belfast * Moosehead
| Lake Railroad, and held until 1873, when a gen
eral law passed Build the bridge above this
property, and you have got to come hight III the
| face and eyes of the statutes-you have got TO
pass over the depot grounds. The cemmis sioners
granted those right to the B. 4 NJ. l.; will they
reverse their decision, and allow this road TO
pass over property granted to another road lie
thought not
Tue appearance, in the interests Of the respon-
| dents, of the old war-bolse, armerlawyer, Hon.
A. G.. Jewett of Belfast, the signal for filling
| the Senate chamber, aud everybody was the
broad grin when the corners Of the old gentleman 5
mouth began to twitch and quicker before send
ing forth torrent after torrent OF personalities and
sarcasm. He said if the bridge is built below the
wharves you will not have to go on to any Of these
peoples lands. We don't want to run over and
kill this little child of the Maine Central, you
know Mcclellan had been counsel for the Maine
| Central, and he knows all about the matter, you
know We don't want to run these dead
men 8 bodies, hey! and they come here and say
they want notice before they killed. hey Poor
| Belfast poor little Belfast. She wants the road
built, YOU know she says SO, You know hey |!
| but she throws every obstacle in the way, you
| know! and calls in the Maine Central and every
body else to resist the building of single inch !!
still she wants the road built oh, yes you know I!
Let them bring all the testimony before the COM
mittee and then the committee will decide for
| themselves whether any body has had order of no.
| tee. This child is born. with all Its limbs and
| several parts, and the question is shall II live
hey II the bridge can't cross below or above.
| you know, where shall il cross, hey
;. L. Milliken, Esq, appeared for the people of
| Belfast, who are DESTROYS that the road shall be
built and DESTROYS also that the excellent harbor
| should be saved. The proper notice should be
| given Of this proceeding; 10 one has had author
| ity TO come here and wave his right of notice, or
| The counsel on the other side (McLellan) had
said less than As hours ago, that the petitionsrs
had no whatever
| Mr., Mcclellan enied that he had been consult
| ed by parties who had any authority TO speak in
| the premises.
DR.. Brooks of Belfast, Mayor Of TIE city, who
with Mr.. Milliken, managed the case Of the re-
monstrants, then called the following witnesses,
Belfast: Reuben Sibley, W. W. Castle, Capt.
Reuben Burgess, Ex-Mayor Pitcher, Capt. Geo.
! Ryan, Messrs. Lane, Swan, Lewis, Uavaden and
Halves. Tie drift OF their testimony Yves, that a
| bridge below the wharyes would ruin the harbor
| four months in the year, and would always be an
obstacle to the shipping interest, and depreciate
property. There Others to testify to the
| same effect had time allowed.
| Mr.. Mcclellan produced petition numerously
| signed by the citizens Of Belfast, five years ago,
| asking the legislature 10 authorize the county
| commissioners to build bridge across the har-
| Dor, between the foot of Main street and the old
| toll bridge. That petition was signed By many
who now demonstrate.
| Mr.. Milhken replied that one vessel was then
built where fifteen are now, and since that time
the city has expended $500, 900 in building rail
road for the public interests.
Gen. auckland, eng neer of the Penobscot Bay
& River road, gave his opinion that it was i'm
practicable and almost impossible TO build a
bridge above, on account of the sharp curve.
Had no objection to starting from Lanes wharf.
Mr.. Bradbury submitted proviso TO the char
ter that the bridge shall not be built as proposed,
if the railroad commissioners object.
During the debate al this point, senator Hall,
chairman of the committee, was obliged 20 call
tie demonstrative Jewctt to order.
Hon. A. L. Morrill,, President Of the Maine
Central said that the road he represented had no
hostility to the proposed road, but would be will
ling to allow them TO pass over their lands at Bel
fast. lie submitted the following provlso: That
said railroad company shall not construct its
bridge below the wharf property of the b. 4 NJ II.
l.. unless the railroad commissioners shall decide
that it cannot be built above.
Mr.. Mliken. in brief, but very strong and
pointed closing argument, called the attention OF
the committee to the facts brought out by the tes-
timony of the many witnesses who had appeared
The people of Belfast are friendly towards the
road, and will do all in their power to help it along
They wanted opportunity to show that the route
above was perfectly feasible one. Deemed the
proposition of Gov Morrill, fair
Mr.. Mcclellan said the Bay 4 River road now
come forward and say that they are willing to let
them go up to Lanes wharf and even up farther if
feasible. Thought this legislature should be the
Judge of the character of the charter. and not the
commissioners.
Thought the Maine Central Railroad was not
much in love with this road. Didn't know but the
President of the Maine Central represents his road
when he says that he is in favor of parallel road
that shall take away the business of their road
Give their land, let them over their depots,
oh, no trouble at all.
The ice question has caused considerable COM
motion. With sixty feet draw the ice could be
cut out quite as readily now. lie then referred
to the petition Of citizens five years ago that the
county commissioners might build a bridge.
Mr.. Jewe,t asked, who gave all these Beltas,
people tickets to come up here, hey? Here arc