Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-03
lieycd tina. large ma;oritv Of the citizens of Au.

lievcd tina. large majority Of the citizens of Au-
gusta desired TO be connected by railroad direct
ly with the northern and western portions OF Som
erset county.
Ira ID. Sturges, Esq, presented his views as to
the advantages Of such road, and his belief thar
if the Somerset stockholders are ready to unite
with the people at Augusta, the road would be
built.
Al Staples, Esq, made few remarks setting
forth the advantages of the connection to both the
Somerset road and the city Of Augusta.
l.. l.. Lincoln, Esq, of Augusta, presented a
few facts bearing upon the advantages of the mar.
row over the wide gauge. lie read extracts from
letter from Of the officers Of the Des Moines
x NJ nnesota Railroad Company showing that
the cost of transhipment of goods from the mar
row to the broad gauge cars, is but drop in the
bucket. We give an extract from the letter.
1--WE are proposing to build GO miles more
and want TO sell per cent. bouds, for $1,000 per
mile. We have paid 10 per cent. on $4,000 per
mile on our present road, and have paid it from
the start and can do it again, but think per cent
is enough, and defy any man to run the number
of trains ~ miles ON an ordinary gauge read aud
pay more than expenses and contingencies"
The writer of the letter says "lf you have q
prospect for business to warrant YOU to expect the
ordinary gauge to pay, Will warrant mar
row guauge TO make money
Col. Charles Milliken and j. p. Wyman, Esq,
were present TO favor the enterprise.
Very able remarks were made by Hon. S. ID
LINDSEY anu y. IL. NeDsteT, Esq, Ol
wock, VIM. Atkinson of Embden, Albert Moore
Esq, Mr.. Parlin, Mr.. Flint, Mr.. Asa Moore and
others of Arson.
Hon. G. +. Stevens of West Wateyie, made
some able remarks favorable to the extension
upon the narrow gauge prime ple, and also read a
letter from the President of the New Brunswick
Railroad describing that road, and expressing
decided sentiments in favor of the narrow gauge
The letter showed the fact that 1870 miles of road
had been put in operation at an average cost OF
$4,000 per mile. This includes road, rolling
stock, depots, wharves at terminus and the entire
outfit and equipments. 1t was built at a time
when labor and materials were much higher than
now. The writer thought the same work could
be done at the present time for about 81 600 pei
mile.
A friendly discussion ensued, participated in by
Messrs. Sturgs, Nash, and Lincoln of Augusta
and Mr.. Moore and others of the Somerset road,
after which a committee of seven was appointed
by the chair and instructed to consult and nego.
tate with the people of Augusta and the Messo-
lonskee Railroad Compa and report at an ad
journed meeting to be hold at West Watcrvlle or
the 2Sth.
The best Of feeling prevailed and all seemed
anxious to have the road built. The people OF
Somerset county desire TO have adequate out
let for their road; they are anxiou. to come to
the Capital of Maine, and if our people here do
their duty and seize upon the golden opportunity
the twenty miles of road between this city and
West Waterville will be speedily built. Many
persons in this city ready to subscribe liber
ally for the stock, believing that narrow guage
road will pay.