Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-17

with eloquent remarks, describing the magnificent
water power along the line Of the road, and the
| beautiful and prosperous communities that would
| spring up on account Of their development. lie
took strong grounds in favor of the narrow gauge.
The meeting resulted 10 general and wide
spread conversions to the narrow-gauge system of
railroads, and We have no doubt, should the vote
| be taken there to-day, they would pronounce EN-
physically for such system. They have the high
est regard for this road, but are DESTROYS of max
| ing connection with the outside world.
The next day, Friday, meeting of citizens was
holden in the afternoon at \orridgewock village,
| for the purpose of considering the matter of
changing the gauge. On account of the iusufi-
cent notce,-the people beyond the village prop.
| er knowing nothing of the meeting, the atten-
dance not large, though qnite a number of
| the representative men of the place were present
Hon. stephen ID. Lindsey, member of Congress
from this district, presided. Remarks were made
by Mr.. Lindsey, Henry Blanchard, Esq. Maj.
y. L. Stevens. j. j. Parn, Esq, VIM. Atkinson,
| Frank Hill, and others. The line of argument
was about the same as that pursued at North An
son. In addition, Mr., Blanchard showed how the
Somerset people can be remunerated for their
bonds. Narrow the gauge, pool the bonds and
stock, and issue new bonds the basis Of the cost
OF the road, and there will be difficulty in plac-
ing them in the markets Of the world. The earn
ings OF the road will pay handsomely on the in
yestment, even independent of the contempat ted
approaches. The dead weight is now eating up
the bonds. He thought that after the road shsll
be built. English capitalists will be attracted here
by the magnificent water power, and come here TO
make investments. Major Stevens said he had no
earthly interest in the road other than every good
citizen should feel in the growth of kennebec
towns and the development of business. Cheap
transportation is needed, and by reference to the
hgures OF narrow gauge roads, compared with
those OF the standard gauge, he showed that the
narrow gauge will bring about a revolution in
business IN this section. Mr.. Lindsey was glad
to be informed in regard to the proposed road.
upon several of the towns q large debt, but every
cent would be paid; the people had no idea or in
tention of Reputation. If il be shown that
the business can be done better on narrow gauge
and such road be made to pay the interest
the bonds, and ultimately pay a portion of the
principal-and it seemed to him that the argu-
ments in that direction were quite convincing-if
this can be shown clearly to the people, then he
had no doubt they would feel 1t to be for their in
| terest to adopt the plan. lie thought the meeting
had been profitable one.
good deal of information was conveyed TO the
people at both the meetings, concerning the mar
| row gauge. We have no doubt the result will be
the narrowing up of the gauge between North An
| son and West Waterville. This will be done,
however, only with the understanding that the
people of Augusta will seize upon the golden OPP
portunity, and put in the remaining link between
this city and West Waterville This course would
add immensely to the business of Augusta, and
attract to this region foreign capitalists who would
expend their money in developing vast water
power. The people of the upper kennebec are
anxious for easy and cheap communication with
our city, and that they in earnest in the mat
ter wGs shown by the interest felt in the meetings
last week.