The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-29
Ferry Landing.

10 The Edtt01 OF the Press:
Articles have appeared in the Advertiser
and Argus relative to the expediency and in
expediency of establishing public ferry
landing in this city as asked for in the petit
tion now pending before the County Com
missioners As long ago as 1873 the legisla-
ture recognized the Importance of this mat
ter and authorized such landing to be es-
tablished by the County Commissioners, but
as no ferry boat suitable for the conveyance
of teams was attempted to be put on the
route by the old company, the County Com
missioners had no occasion to consider the
question up to the present time. The gener-
al dissatisfaction with the service rendered
by the old company led the inhabitants of
Cape Elizabeth to apply to the legislature
last winter for charter for new ferry. At
ter a long and bitter opposition from the
old company this charter was obtained. And
in accordance with the provisions of the act
a double end ferryboat suitable for the
conveyance of teams has been put upon the
route.
The charter contemplates that public fer
ry landing will be laid out as reference is
made to it in the act. The people of Cape
Elizabeth, our nearest neighbors and large
and prosperous community, with whom we
have intimate business relations, have petit
toned for suitable landing place. This
petition has received the support of many of
our best citizens, and when rightly under
stood will doubtless receive the support of
many more. The question at issue is an inn
portant one and involves considerations of
public policy and the attitude of our citizens
towards questions which tend to promote the
growth and increase of the trade and popu-
lation of the territory to which, as a city, we
serve as a base of supplies. Are we prepared
to say that Cape Elizabeth should not have
better communication with Portland? As a
city do we propose to oppose the establish
ment of public landing place? If not then
it is well to remember that opposition to the
granting of the present petition practically
means this. For the location selected is un-
dOubtedly the most convenient and central OF
any that can be chosen 1t opens directly
on Commercial street in the very heart of the
business portion of the city. 1t is in the
line of travel of teams, which would most
use it. 1t is in one of the broadest docks
damages cannot be as large as its opponents
claim, and are paid by the county. The land
ing is on a public street. The wharf owners
have no property in that. They have no
ownership in the water in the dock or in the
flats below low water mark, mot present
low water mark, but the old low water mark
before the building of Commercial street)
This use of the dock is subject to the rights
of the public of landing on the shore. 1t
is question how far they will be
entitled to damages for less exclusive use
of the dock than theyhave heretofore en-
loved. The public have certain rights which
are superior to those of wharf owners,
and it would not be bad thing to get
a decision of the courts on just the questions
involved in this case. The building of the
slip and ferry way will not exceed s., 800.
The parties interested are willing to give
bonds to that effect. Other cities deem it for
their interest to have public ferry landings.
In the earliest history of this city such land
the erection of private wharf owners. By
what right is yet to be learned. Its position
is shown on early plans of the city. If a fer
ry way is to be established now is the time
to do it. 1t will cost more later and the long
er it is deferred the longer we put off one Of
the means that is open to us of promoting
communication with the rest of the world
better communication means in this as in
every other instance, increase of business
and increase Of population to be fed. 1t is
said that the old ferry company is opposed
to the granting of this petition. That is nat
ural, but is Portland as city to take sides
in that fight? Can it afford to do so? Yet it
is said that the City Council are to be asked
to take action in the matter. The owner of
Custom House wharf is opposed to it. But
is his judgment, based on his personal inter
ests, to control the growth and development
of our city? The question is broader one
terests of our city? Is it to isolate
ourselves, or to welcome and promote enter
prises which give us better communications
with our neighbors? Effort has been made
to frighten some of the signers of the petit
ton for this ferry, way by representing that
they have made themselves responsible for
the running of this ferry. Could anything
be more absurd? The act requires that sat
isfactory security shall be given the Coun-
ty Commissioners of the continuous running
nished by the ferry company, backed by the
most substantial citizens of Cape Elizabeth,
not by the signers in Portland. What the
petitioners ask is public ferry landing, not
fecting the interests of the whole county, it
should be met and settled without prejudice,
without littleness, and without dictation
from private interests. CITIZEN.