Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-15
Somerset. Mistake-A Lost opportunit,

somerset's yIistake-A Lost Opportunity.
1t seems to us that the Stockholders of the Som
erset Railroad, at their meeting in West Water
vile, on Wednesday, 10 rejecting the proposition
to narrow their gauge lost an opportunity to ben
eft the upper kennebec region, and improve the
financial condition Of their corporation, that will
not soon again be within their grasp. During the
few months past the proposition has been plainly
and forcibly submitted to them. by personal inter-
views, public meetings, and newspaper articles.
1t was to change the gauge of their road from
standard to three foot gauge, with prospect of
the immediate building Of the Messalonskee &
Kennebec Railroad. from Augusta to West Wat
ervie. SO that, instead of the Somerset road
starting from North Arson and ending really no.
where, Tor in other words, having adequate
outlet) there would be a continuous railroad
line through the most fertile portion of Kennebec
and Somerset counties from North Arson TO Au-
gu:ta-a road that would pay from the start, as
has been demonstrated time and time again in
those communities where the narrow gauge has
been thoroughly tested
At the present time the Somerset road is los
ing concern. True, the report figures out met
earnings but these earnings have had to go for
ceived none of the profits; the towns are burden
ed with debt on account Of the road that they
never expect to throw of, and which they will
walk up to the captains office, and pay like little
men. They have elephant on their hands, aud
instead of swapping him for horse, they have
voted to continue TO trot that bunging animal
back and forth from North Arson to West Water
vile.
The action of "Wednesday eff1ctually shuts the
door at West Waterville for the present. for no cap
italsts will be found to sink their money in stand
ard gauge road from Augusta to that place, with
a certainty of never receiving dividends on their
investments. Our people extended the helping
hand 10 their up river neighbors but by some
mesmeric power, breathed perhaps from the nos
tiils of the VI. c. r. R., there is a caving in all
along the line. and the road still remains prey
for vast monopoly. whenever the appetite is
whetted 10 receive it. The people were fol the
narrow gauge, and wholesome railroad competi-
ton. They have either been beaten or sold out
the reader may select from the two the most APP
plicabe term.
Were it not that the action of the stockholders
of the Somerset road blocked other railroad inter-
ests than that just indicated, it would lack the i'm
portapce which We have assigned it. But on the
building Of the road from Augusta to West Wa
tervie, connecting with the Somerset road
hinged the bnilding of the Lewiston & Augusta
Railroad, connecting the two cities. and also the
kennebec & Wiscasset Railroad bringing about
the long hoped for day when communication should
be established with the capaciou, and oren sea
harbor at Wiscasset All of these enterprises that
section of the State. were parts of the great chain
which has been severed. A severe blow has been
dealt to the opening Of the inland transportation
of our State; but we trust it will be but Temporal
ry-that the people of Somerset will see the mis-
take that has been made, and push out into the
world by the highway which Natures God has SO
plainly mapped out. The upper Kennebec is not
doomed to perpetual iso laton.