The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-06
The Portland q Roches,er Bin.

As the Board Of Aldermen has asked the
Legislature TO refer the matter of the Port
land q Rochester extension to the people for
decision. and as no active opposition has
manifested itself to the granting of the re-
quest. it is safe to assume that the people of
Portland will be called upon In March to
vote.on this subject. The last question that
the people voted on was the giving of the
Market Square lot 10 the Soldiers Monu-
ment Association. Thatwas very simple
proposition and easily presented This mat
ter OF the Portland & Rochester is much
more complicated, and unless great care is
taken in presenting the question the people
are liable TO commit themselves to something
they do not intend to, or fail to stipulate for
certain restrictions and safeguards that even
those who are earnestly in favor Of the gen.
eral proposition would be inclined to insist
upon as conditions precedent of the pro-
posed extension.
Let US illustrate. Suppose the PROPOSE
ton were presented to the people as it was
to the Board of Aldermen, and should receive
an Affirmative vote, what would be the re-
suit? The Portland q Rochester road would
be allowed to locate its extension along the
park and through the poor farm to the width
OF 80 feet. But its exact location would not
have been determined, for the location as
presented to the Board of Aldermen was not
exact. The amount the road would have TO
pay In damages would not be determined
either, for there was no stipulation regard
ing that In the petition to the Aldermen.
Neither would there be any restriction on
the use that the extension was to be put to.
Though the road said it wanted it merely for
traffic purposes. yet there was nothing in
the proposition before the Aldermen to re-
strict II TO such purposes. Neither would
an ainrmative vote on the question as pre-
sented to the Board of Aldermen bind the
road to any definite policy as regards the
bridges that must be built over its tracks
where they cross streets. The road might
contribute to their construction and mainten-
ance or 1t might not
Now 1t seems to us that it is highly impor-
tant before the people of Portland vote on
this question that they should know pre-
cisely how the Portland & Rochester comma
ny intends to act with regard to all these
collateral matters, and Furthermore to be
certain that they have the power to compel
it to carry out its intention In the future In
case there should be any hesitation on its
part. This can be accomplished most salts
factorily, probably. by including all
these matters in the act submitting the gen.
eral question. Let the location be accurate
y liked and described SO that there can never
arise any question about it. Let its width
De nxed throughout its entire length. Let the
uses to which 1t is to be put be specified and
any other use forbidden. Let the land dam
ages be fixed exactly, or if that is impossible
let some definite agreement be made for their
ascertainment in the future. And finally.
let there be some specific understanding as
to the construction and maintenance of the
overhead bridges that will be needed.
II all these things are provided for in the
act, then the people will vote intelligently
with full knowledge of inst what they are
going to give and jus. what they are going to
get. II these things are not specifically pro-
vlded for there will surely be controversy
in the future, in which in all probability the
city will come out second best. While we do
not think the citizens of Portland will ever
consent to the proposed extension because it
involves sacrifice entirely out of proportion
to the benefits that it promises, yet it is the
part OF wisdom. in view Of the possibility of
aoiterent result, to guard against a too lib
erai Interpretation of the city's generosity.