Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-02-06
Remarks Of b. r. Lancaster, Esq, OF
WjScasSet,

In House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, FEB. ), on THE
QUESTION OF vEsTING THE RIGHT OF FRAN
CHIsE, ETC, OF THE MERRYMEETING BRIDGE
IN THE COUNTY OF SAGADAH0C.
Xr. Spedker:-I wish very briefly to show the
gross iniu stice of this whole scheme. One OBJ
lection to the building of this bridge by the coun-
~ OF Sagsdahoc, is the fact that it is not for the
benefit of the whole county, but for the sole and
exclusive benefit Of the wealthy city OF Bath and
| the towns of Bowdouham and Topsham Anoth
er objection is the fact that large portion of the
bridge which they propose to build is in the
county of Cumberland There are three towns in
Sagadahoc situated on the east side of the kenne-
bee river, Woolwich, Arrowsc and Georgetown.
The inhabitants of Woolw ich and Arrowsic
live principally by farming Georgetown by fishing.
Now these three towns have supported their own
bridges, they have never asked any aid from the
County for the construction Of bridges ferries
and it was shown before the committee by unim-
| peachable testimony, that these towns have done
much more than their full share toward building
| bridges and ferries in Sagadahoc county. The
town of Woolwich alone has 1869 feet of bridges.
Look at the dixie bridge, ,166 feet in length, built
| of earth and stone. These bridges have been
built and supported by this .own-they have never
asked or rece we'd any aid from any source. There
are but few towns in the State that have eXpend-
ed so much in building and maintaining bridges
and ferries, according to their valuation, as the
town of Woolwich. In the year 1877 she built
one fourth of the steam ferry boat which runs be-
| tween Woowich and Bath. She paid $3.50
(three thousand two hundred and fifty dolars)
toward that ferry, which eleven times n,
much in proportion to her valuation as Bath paid.
This ferry is on the trunk road leading through
the county. 1t is the great thoroughfare through
that county, and is great public convenience
| Those who travel east and west through this
county, find this by far the most convenient route.
Now if there Is bridge or ferry in the county of
Sagadshoc that should be supported by the coun-
| ty, II is this steam ferry.
| Let us see il the little town Of Arrowsic ha 3
done her full share in building and supporting
bridges. In 1877 she expended fourteen hundred
dollars in repairing bridges, two per cent. of her
whole valuation. Georgetown has supported her
bridges without any aid from the county OR from
and other source.
| Now ask # these towns have not done their
| full share, 10 building and maintaining bridges
and ferries in Sagadahoc county. III not, levy up
on them an add ditonal burden. They have done
vastly more than their share, and after they have
burde ned themselves with taxation to build their
bridges and ferry the wealthy portion of the coun
" comes and asks them to help build toll bridge
at Merrymeeting Bay, so that the wealthy city of
| Bath car draw trade from the northwestern por-
ton of the county. 1t will also give the farmers
| of Bowdoinham better market for the products
Of their farms. It will enhance the value Of their