The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-04-14
BOSTON, Apr. IL, 1880.

BOSTON, Apr. IL, 1880.
Boston's foreign commerce is rapidly in
creasing. Three years ago one steamer in two
weeks was about the average. During the
past winter as many as seven heavily loaded
steamers have left our wharves in single
week There are several regular lines send
ing weekly steamers, while number of out
side boats load here. The old Cunard line,
the Warren line, and the new Anchor line
from this city are all sending out frequent
steamers with full cargoes. l wrote you some
time ago of the efforts of the last named line to
establish Boston business, and predicted then
that it would be successful And so it has
been, beyond the most sapguine expectations.
These fine steamers already booked 10
sail from here this spring These boats make
sort of triangular trip, going from Boston to
Glasgow, thence to Mediterranean ports and
return to Boston. The one great drawback
now is dock facilities. 1t is well known that
most ocean steamers coming to this port dock
at East Boston. Here is the great grain ele-
vator of the Boston & Albany. But the room
and the elevator accommodations are entirely
inadequate to supply the demand. AT legis-
Warren line said he was obliged to meet large
extra OUTLAWS to provide wharf accommoda-
tions for his boats. He said he would give
$50000a year for the use of the dock on the
States land adjoining the South Boston flats.
A large amount of grain is loaded into the
steamers direct from lighters and smaller boats
for want of dockage and elevators Could
these be supplied Boston might rival New
York to some pupOse. Sir Hugh Allan stated
the other day that if he could secure the nee
essary room here he would change his Balti-
more line to this city. All our local and
through railroads and steamboat lines are
crowded with business both passenger and
freight Mr.. j. w. Richardson of the new
Providence line to New York, and also agent
of the Stonlngton line, informs me that travel
between New York and Boston is unparalleled.
All the lines are worked to their full capacity.
Heretofore the Stonington line alone has
suficed for the travel over the Providence road
until the opening of the Summer season.
This year, however, the Providence line,
which is branch of the same management,
was opened on April 5, and now both lines
have all the business they wish While in his
office one Monday morning early there was
steady stream of calls for state rooms, and
none to be had for Monday, Tuesday or
Wednesday nights. Some of the other lines
are even harder pushed, owing to smaller
boats. The Fall River line has also enlarged
its accommodations month earlier than usual.
The new Providence line promises to be the
favorite this season.
The State convention to elect delegates to
the National convention will be held on Thurs
day. The result is doubtful One thing now
seems pretty sure, that it will be ant-Grant
most decidedly. The Grant fever has percep-
tibly waned during the past two weeks. The
determined opposition which has been mani
tested has had depressing effect. should
say the convention would be Edmunds but the
Edmunds men are opposed to any pledged del
egates. Blaine will not develope much strength
for the simple reason that there has not been
days work done for him. Whatever strength
he shows will be spontaneous. No newspapers
have supported him and no politicians have
put in work for him. But the people have
made good showing and should he be nomi-
mated he will make good showing at the
polls.
The latest railroad sensation comes in the
shape of proposition to work the Eastern and
Boston and Maine railroads under one manage
ment This is an entirely distinct proposition
from that which appeared some months ago to
consolidate. The working affect will be prac-
tically the same, but the financial aspect will
differ materially. There will be no issues of
the stock and bonds but merely an arrange
ment by which the lines may be worked to the
greater advantage of the people and companies
both, and without the never-ending clashing
which has prevailed heretofore. The project
is endorsed by press and people i'm this section.
Its advantages to everybody are so clear as to
command general SuDnOrt ScOTT