Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-15

was trying to prevent the building of the Somcr-
set road from West Walerville, but nothing was
done, or attempted to be done towards the extern
sion. The effort if any was seriously made. ended
with unsuccessful negotiation. Now let us state
a case; the cars, fully ladened, heavy train
starts from point Lewis or Quebec, after the
bridge is built and comes rolling on towards IS
casset; reaching Norridgwock it must pass OIL It's
own line on to the Maine Central, and over 'na'
road forty-three miles, subject to Its sef'ituue
and regulations, to Augusta; then change 10 us
own line again, and proceed on its way 10 WIS
casset. And this to avoid building twenty miles
of its own road The thing is believed to be I'M
practicable. The Quebec road at least must have
most remarkable affection for the Maine Central
to do it. Bangor is awake to this PROJECT, and
with her road stretching towards Moosehead lake,
to which she has voted large sum Of money, pro-
poses to unite with the Quebec road and take the Ca
madam gentlemen around by her doors. This Is
only mentioned to show the Importance she gives
to railroad extensions reaching from her city, and
the liberality with which she fosters them. What
has stimulated the growth of Bangor and is to
make her populous and wealthy! Her railroad
extensions and connexions. What has brought
Portland into the front rank of sea coast cities
Her extensive railroads reaching in all directions
over the country. She is now gathering the rich
fruits Of her early and long continued exerton
and enterprise in this direction. Lewiston Is SIT
uated much as Augusta is in the winter. She Is
thirty. two miles from the sea at Portland. llaV-
ing the Maine Central pass through her city, she
wanted additional transit accommodations to and
from the markets of the country. The Name
Central said they could furnish all she needed
Thinking it best to be her own Judge in the mat
ter, she petioned the Legislature for charter for
an additional outlet. This was met by the deter
mined opposition OF the Maine Central. However,
the charter was obtained, and the road, five miles
in length, built by the city, at the large expense
of $500, 900, and the city would not now dispense
with it if the money could be returned to the city
treasury. There is a necessity for Augusta, II
she is to be manufacturing city and to increase
in population and wealth, to have additional transit
facilities, particularly in winter when our river IS
closed. BY twenty five miles OF rail we can
reach the best harbor on the coast. What stlm-
illus this would give to the manufacturing indus
try of the place And the road to Wiscasset will
be built without our assistance if the link to West
Waterville is first constructed or simultaneously
commenced with the Wiscasset road. All that IS
apparently needed now is the assistance OF Au-
gusta-municipal aid on such basis and security
as shall protect the city from loss Opposition to
this is developing its source may be traced; Its
motive may not be the prosperity OF Augusta. 1t
has been the fate Of Augusta, in railroad matters
to slumber until the favorable time for action has
passed. 1t may be so in the case OF this road;
that we shall awaken too late to reap its advanta-
ges; that while the water is troubled others viii
step in and secure the benefit. Fatal will be the
day to the prosperity of Augusta, when her public
spirit and enterprise depart from their wonted
sphere of action and are parayzed by the fears OF
the timid or controlled by the active opposition OF
| the interested. CITIZEN.