Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-02-17

i1As 0araans9 DE1AGe Hearing.
The Committee On Ways end Bridges heil
= special session in Representative Hall las
evening to consider the petition of the inhab
itants Of Gardiner and Piststcn praying for
bridge between the txo places. Some fort,
gentlemen from Gardine, and Pitfston wer,
present at the hearing. The petition is signeS
BY about 250 Of the solid men OF the two
towns
II. s. Webster appeared in behalf of the
petitioners. The city of Gardner and tks
town Of Piftsson, situated directly opposite
each other. are connected BY relic of bar.
barism-a toll bridge. We feel that free
bridge would benefit the citizens of bosl
places. In 1859 an act was passed BY the
legislature of the State of Maine authorizing
the city of Gardiner and the town of Pittston
! TO act in such a way as To free the bridge.
We ask that the legislature give US renewed
authority to move in this matter. have
here petition, numerously signed. praying
that the legislature will grant us authority 10
raise money TO purchase the bridge. The
! bridge will at the end Of six years be thrown
| open to the public free of toll, and until that
time a rate of toll will be charged not higher
| than the rate now paid. In case no arrange
u
iner and the town of Pittston, shall erect a
bridge in such a location as they see fit, to be
thrown open TO the public as free bridge,
after six years have elapsed. l think can
assure you that if the legislature will grant
US authority. that in less than a year the
bridge across the river will be owned by the
city of Gardner. and the town of Pittston.
Hon. John Berry of Gardiner testified !:
The day of toll-bridges is past. They are
an impediment to trade and business. Other
towns have realized an increase of material
prosperity by abolishing toll-bridges. The
net percentage or income to the owners of
the bridge yearly is from Il to % per cent.
They have had it in their possession some
thirty years. The time has come when the
citizens are decided that they ought to have
a free highway across the kernebec. The
toll-bridge drives trade from our stores, and
the farmers from our streets.
Cross examination by Orville d. Baker
ELECTED the following: Eleven years ago, a
similar act was passed by the legislature, en-
powering the towns to purchase the bridge,
but no action has been taken all these years
towards purchasing the bridge. Private
capital to the extent of $40, 600 was invested in
the bridge. 1t is owned in small parts among
a great many people. The valuation of Gar
diner is s., ,060, 600; the debt is $4,000. If
the city should purchase this bridge they
ould incur a debt above ) per cent of valu-
alton. l49 shares in this bridge are owned
by widows and orphans.
Hon. ID. c. Palmer, Mayor of Gardiner.
testified substantially that the public senti-
ment of the people demanded a free bridge.
We intend to pay a fair compensation for the
toll bridge.
MIR. Ammi Davenport 1t has been demon
strated that the toll bridge keeps some $780,.
600 from our stores. The dividends range
from l3 to 20 per cent year for thirteen
years past. But 1914 shares of the stock are
taxed in Gardiner and Pittston.
On cross-examination it appeared that dur
ing the winter months, when it is safe to cross
on the ice. no toll is charged. The idea in
having a new act passed is that the old act
requires a twO-thirds vote, and it is impossi-
bic for the petitioners to get that.
The testimony of other prominent citizens
of Gardiner corroborated what had already
been stated by the petitioners The bridge
pays for itself every six years.
Cross examination on the part of the re-
monstrants ELECTED the following statements
No pnblic meeting has been held in Gardiner
for eleven years under the law On the statute
books The citizens of Gardiner and Pitts
ton want to purchase the bridge at less than
its cost. No offer to purchase has been made
to the proprietors of the bridge.
The testimony and cross-examination spun
out to an almost interminablc length. but
the gist of the matter was given by the first
two or three witnesses examined.
The case will again come before the COM
mittee on Ways and Bridges on Monday eve
ming next.