Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-22
Portland Express.
Projected Outlet for the Cana
dian Pacific.


The gradual advance of the Northern Pa
cifc Railway across our State is giving rise
+ to frequent speculations concerning its ocean
| terminus on the coast Of Maine. 1t is begin
ming to be forseen that the two great trans
continental railways, the Northern Pacific
and the Canadian Pacific, reaching from
ocean 10 ocean, must exert powerful infu-
ence upon the commerce of the future and
effect change of vital importance to New
England and especially our own State 1t is
also seen that the Canadian Pacific, affording
route some $50 miles shorter than the
Northern Pacific among other advantages,
and with line Of steamers plying between
| Port Moody, its Pacific terminus, and China
and the East, must ultimately secure control
Of the entire tea trade of the country and,
with an outlook across the Atlantic eastw ard,
become an Indispensable link to complete the
grandest Of all the highways OF the nations
upon the ocean. Halifax may indeed have
been the eastern terminus for the road con-
templated by the Dominion in granting its
liberal subsidies, but the relentless laws of
commerce always demand and eventually
secure, the shortest line of land transit TO
open winter ports; and whether this line is
extended to Halifax as projected or not. if
another line is offered leading to suitable
winter port three hundred and fifty miles
nearer, that line will inevitably take the trsf-
&c and that more convenient port will surely
become the great harbor for a line of steam
ships across the ocean.
While Portland is relying slothfully on that
great law, inexorsbly demanding her harbor
for the Atlantic terminus of this great sys-
kt.a. II
The people of the Kennebec valley confident
ly assert that they offer a line and hsrbor
which are manifestly superior to all others in
the respect named. That line is according
to the charters of the Somerset, the Mesa
10 .skee and kennebec and the Wiscasset and
kennebec railroad companies, and recent
amendments, hch authorize these compan-
iss, or either of them, to locate and construct
a complete line from Wiscasset up to the
valley of the Kennebec to the Forks" and
thence to Moose River to connect with the
International road at that point and with the
Lewis and Kennebec at Canada line. TWEEN
ty five miles of this route, from oakland TO
North Arson have been constructed and in op-
GRAFTON for several wears, and three miles more
already graded, leaving only one hundred and
six miles to be built to complete the whole
line. Still less would remain to be built if
available by an arrangement to connect with
that road at Skowhegan. The friends Of this
enterprise claim that the harbor at Wiscasset
is one of the finest on the whole Atlantic sea-
board. In the severest winter no ice has
ever formed to obstruct navigation, and its
depth is such that the Great Eastern" could
there at low water, always swing at her
moorings
The Mesealonskee and Kennebec Co was
reorganiZe last July by choice of Governor
elect Bodwel as President, and 4 strong
board of directors. A prospectus of the
enterprise, carefully and ably prepared, will
soon be issued under their direction, contain
ing Autographs OF the chart and Photographic
views of Wiscssset harbor with an accurate
description Of it, and a full statement of the
advantages of the line and the possibility of
its construction. Some of the most practical
and sagacious business men in the
State do not hesitate to say that the
unique location Of this route, its superior
terminal advantages and the shortness and
directness of the line, with all its local bust
ness. will enable it to pay the interest on its
entire cost rs soon az placed in working con-
dition and thus rendered an entirely safe in
vestment for capital The Express is author
itatvey informed that the attention of the
officers of the Canadian Pacific, international
and Lewis and Kennebec rsilroads, and of
prominent Dominion capitalists will at once
be directed to this outlet by an agent of the
Messalonskee Company, who will visit
Quebec and other points in the Dominion
next week for that purpose. The projectors
of this enterprise claim that it is only neces-
sary to have all its features promptly under
stood. to have it's superiority to all Others
promptly recognized and admitted, and that
with the aid which may be obtained from
capitalists in the Dominion and elsewhere,
and public spirit and energy along the line, a
practical basis may be secured at an early
dav, for this movement of such vital inter, st
to the State of Maine.