Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-24
A PROPOSED STREET Railway
Communication from Colonel Staples
Regarding the Enterprise.

I
Regarding the Enterprise.
| An article in the New Age Of the S0th
int. which herewith sppears. .reiects severely
and anjustly upon the proprietors of the pro-
posed street railway between Augusta and
Gardiner.
The people generally are not aware that
there eIsts in this country several syndicatss
of capi ialists who make 1t business of put
ting in electric light plants and horse and
electric railroads in different localities.
Representatives of such syndicates visit Q
town and interest two or three OF more OF
its citizens in the scheme of estzblishing Q
business of the above character, gives them
few shares Of stock as an incentive TO aid
them in carrying through the enterprise;
and then the statement 10 heralded that the
business men Of the community are engaged
IN th~lsudsble effort of improving the con-
dition OF the people thereof. The electric
railway which 1t 10 proposed to establish be-
tween Augusta, Gsrll' sr and rogus, 10 TO be
built in this manner, and just nos IL 10 con-
tended that the Maine Central Railroad 10 In.
adequate 10 carry Gu the immense traffic In
passengers between the above placed
Hence the alleged necessity for another
railroad enterprise. The city of Augusta 10
to-day practically dominated in Is water and
light supply by foreign syndicate of capt
Alisus. who have as little regard for the In
tete' 'ts of the people, zs Il 10 possible for dis
Interested persons 10 have, and it 10 about
nme 10 have the practice OF giving away
every valuable franchise In the community
to foreign capitalists stopped.
The writer is OF the track and assumes to
know more about tho nlans az ,h, e,,n.nx
than the parties themselves. Not . person
connected with this enterprise has ever Ut
tered a word detrimental to the interests OF
the Maine Central railroad. The construc-
hon OF street railroad between Augusta
and Gardiner has nothing whatever to do
with the Maine Central railroad. Such .
road as that contemplated will make its own
business The stock will be offered TO any
one who chooses to take It, and the person
who is looking for It asa gift will look in
vain. II our people do not wish to invest
they have no right to complain IL q syndi-
cate from outside. not unlike the Maine Cen.
'ral, Edwards Manufacturing Company,
Electric Light Company, Water Company,
,''Ft e''"h " i'aAN W hkt Nuf
entire risk of constructing and maintaining
such a road for our convenience. Here 10
an opportunity for home Investment, who
will embrace it7 The writer in the New
Age evidently upholIs those who will seither
fish nor Gu bai,-who live only for them
selves. lie will tnd that August will not
stand Till to accommodate him or them.
viii the merchants of Augusta. IIallowell
aud Gardner object TO having business
brought directly to their doors. tubjecting
them 10 no expense therefor? Who then 10
to sufer2 But, says one, water street 10
too narrow, and will be couttantlo block
AIDED For myself, like the rush Of busi-
ness, the hum of industry, and block AIDED
rather than deserted streets. Another says.
The unslghty poles will mar the beauty Of
our streets" The poles used for carrying
the wire are neatly turned and tsstily paint
ed, and are intended to be ornamental as
we'll as useful. 1t i. proposed to make q
circuit of the city going down Gas House
Hill, perhaps through Commercial street,
and up Rilc'. hill. A recent article In the
kennebeo Journal says; ut appears to us
that the right Of way over this route water
Vile TO Richmond) belongs TO the Maine
Central"
II appears to me very different. The
Maine Central is supported by the public.
II is great and powerful corporation, Of
immense resources. and under able manage
ment. Manufacturing this. Others have
rights and will assert them. The coming
year will see an addition TO our population Of
not less than seven hundred people, possibly
more. There 10 n demand for a street rail-
road between Augusta and Gardiner. II the
people want it they will have it. and II would
be small business on the part Of the Maine
Central to oppose il. A street ROAD between
the points uamed means the drawing nearer
together of the three cities, more business
for all, more building all along the line, bet
ter facilities each way for transportation, Q
few steps between the house and the car,
spd better understanding Of our business
relations A mutual exchange rather than
rivalry.
Business will never come to Augusta Of
itself. IL requires eIertion, a united effort
OF the people TO offer inducements. Fault
finders are found everywhere. The wheels
of progress at 'ie start always have more or
less friction and many triss. No one will
be hlndered from )stroni1ing the Maine Cen
tral railroad. The proposed street railway,
with its handsome ears, uniformed coniuc.
tors, half hour trips, low fares and thriving
busin IS, is 10 benefit the public. 1t will
add nothing To any macs tar but will en-
hance the value of real estate wherever II
runs. The severest criticism will not iotm-
idate or deter the projectors from pushing
their claim to successful issue with the
sanction Of the people. Not to be up with
the spirit Of the age is simply being second
to other and more enterprising cities.
HESRr @. STAPLES.