Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-26
Railroads and the Development of our
Natural Resources.


Natural Resources.
The attention Of our citizens has renewedly
been called to the projected link of railroad be-
tween this city and West Waterville, by the sug-
gcstions Of the Mayor in his recent address. The
building of this short link, connecting US with the
region of the upper Kennebec, and ultimately
with the Province of Quebec, seems TO be the one
thing needful to the growth of our city in which
should all take deep and abiding interest.
There is one important fact that should be kept
steadily in mind-the road will help develop our
vast natural resources. On this point we find
many valuable hints in an article recently pub
iished in the Arson Advocate. Every dollar of
foreign capital, attracted to Maine. and invested
in manufacturing will help to develop these re-
sources and add wealth to the State. The manu-
featuring industries of Maine are in their infancy,
and no State in the Union can offer better adyan-
tages for the manufacture of cotton and wooden
goods, or for the handicraft productions of iron
and steel. These usefu and important industries,
So far as they have been established in Maine,
have, almost without exception, proved success
full and nunerative; adding wealth to. and slim
ulating enterprise in, the communities where they
have been established.
Upon the line of the Somerset Il. r. when ex-
tended to tide waters at Augusta, and to the com
mon highway of nations at Wscasset may be found
more eligible positions for the establishment Of
great and varied manufacturing industries, all
things considered, than be elsewhere found on
the Atlantic sea board.
Certainly when the Somerset Railroad is extend
ed as above, the facilities for manufacturing upon
its line cannot be surpassed either for feasibility
power Carratunk falls, Carabassett falls, Nor
ridgewock falls Bombazs, West Waterville, and
the great water power in this city, afford an abu nd
ant and never failing power, which may be had,
with the exception of the partially utilized pow
err in Augusta, almost for the asking
Granite, slate and lumber, in good quality and
In never failing abundance, exist directly upon
the line of this road 10 the upper Kennebec valley
the material out of which factories are built, and
NAV be had minus the expense Of transportation.
The country adjacent to the line Of this road, and
to these vast water powers, is, as is we'll known,
unsurpassed in fertility by any portion of Maine,
and is settled by an intelligent, hardy industrious.
and frugal population, that could not only fur
nish the labor to build and run factories but large
ly furnish from the products oft soil, the subsis
lance for the operatives and save the pitiable and
humliating waste of transporting their children
and their products to build up and enrich other
States.
The extension of this road will most certainly
favor the investment of foreign capital in man
ufactnrng industries on this side OF the Atlantic
"A desideratum that we would like to possess in
this beautiful valley, and one which we may pos
sess if we are only wise, for ourselves and our
posterty
The way to realize this priceless boon is to ex-
tend the Somerset Railroad, at once, to Augusta
and Wiscasset, which will ensure its speedy com
pletion TO Qaebec-we shall then have stock in
trade that will enable to utilize, gradually but
surely, our unsurpassed water power; build up
and aggrandize u Kennebec valley and the State,
find profitable and honorable employment for our
children at home, more profitable development
of our agricultural resou .es, and quickening
into life energies and resor -ces that are now dor.
mant.