The Portland daily press., 1886-12-21

fine city nv IL; and who would wish Ito have il dis
continued and its business diverted elsewhere?
In addition to these the Portland g. Kennebec,
(nOw the Maine Central Railroad) md the An
droscoggin rood were put in operation, connect
ing us directly with important towns in the coun-
ties of Kennebec, Addroscoggin, Lincoln, Somer-
set, Franklin and Penobscot. and the extreme
parts Of this State and New Brunswick. These
roads, although originally quite severe pecuss
mary loss to some OF our people, have been OF
great value to the city, in bringing TO us extensive
and valuable business relations, which should not
be overlooked in this connection:
The Boston & Maine, competing road, altnongn
not really needed, and which cost us nothlng, mas
beer Of great value TO our business interests, as "
opened trade with an tne Interior Towns anu
large amount of business to us, when nad Deen
diverted to Boston and elsewhere. In this con-
nectlon Il Is also well to bear IN MIND tne great
advantages derived from these roads TO our nsh-
ing interests, which have been Immensely IN,
creased anu made profitable since the opening OF
the Grand Trunk road thus furnishing quick
and ready market for the production of the sea.
Beside these, we have the Rumford Falls Buck.
neld road and the Bridgt0n & Saco river road
contributing TO the business interests OF our city
The great fire which swept over us In 1856 con-
snmed So 1000 Of our property, with only
S3 600 600 insurancei but Portland soon rose
from its ashes-Phenix like-and In ten years
was worth more money than the day before the
hre. In 1875 our valuation was S2S 5000, 900 ana
the rate OF taxation was So co. In 1876. $50, $780,
600, and the percentage $3.50.
1t Is true that in the meantime our West Indian
trade and commerce had nearly gone, our ship
all been sold off or lost. Brunswick Freeport and
Yarmouth bad about closed their shipyards and
there were few or no new vessels to rig or tit out
here. 1t was then that a few of onr most enter
prislng business men. like the Browns, Springs
Grams, WaShburns and others, conceived the Og-
densburg railroad. They were probably too san
guine as to its results, but goit must and our
city and citizens were again called upon to render
the necessary aid for Its construction; and al
though their authorizations have not been fully re-
aiized and it has proved to be somewhat serious
burden and financial loss to the city and some of
It's people, has it been or no benefit to us in bust
ness relation, sufficient at least to counterbalance
the loss and sacrifice that has been made in its
behalf, when we consider that large amount of
trade from Vermont and New Hampshire that had
been lost. has been brought back TO ms, which
without this road would have continued to go to
Boston, New York and elsewhere? To say moth
ing relative to It's future prospects, it is worth to
Portland more than it has cost; and the day will
ere long come when the grumbers. IL living, will
say, as IS now said of the Grand Trunk and other
ROADS, they have been the conservatOrs and build
of Portland. 1t is true that debt Is heavy
and our taxes have been somewhat increased by
the city loans to this and other railroads. but have
they not on the whole, added greatly to our taxa
BILE property, and thus kept our percentage down
to where 1t now stands (Our present valuation be-
ing S33 900 and the tax rate only S210l, not
withstanding our State and county tax and heavy
city expenses As we have comparatively but
few manufactures of any kind, and our commerce
is nearly gone and our fishing interests suffering
some depression at this time, where are we to
look for the promotion of our business except
IL be from our railroad connections with the
boat lines to the East and the West, furnishing us
with direct and speedy communications with all
parts of our country and the world all contributing
to bring each its quota of business and profit to
our doors.
In view of all this, shall we sit down, shut our
eyes and lament over the cost of these things to
us, and not look at the brighter side of the pic
ture? Should we not rather, render thanksgv-
ing to the great Gyer of all good for what He has
done for us, and enabled us to do for ourselves
and then trust in Him for the future. believing
that all things are working together for our good
and that God and railroads have done great
things for us '.lcLereof are are glad"
w. ID. l..