Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-19

AGoostook Railroad.

There was hearing before the Judiciary
committee Wednesday afternoon on the
enabling act permitting Afoostook to loan
ito credit TO the extent Of $500, 900 in aid
Of direct line Of railroad, by purchase OF
lie preferred stock.
Hon. J. II. league Of Caribou opened
the case for the petitioners. He said be
spoke for the Pomona Grange ~ one Of its
representatives. He believed that the road
would result in vast benefit to the county.
Tie showed by figures that the county was
payirs enormous tribute to the Canadian
Pacific railroad on freight brought from the
West Mr.. leagues remarks were able
And timely and received the close attsntion
Of tho committee. Hon. Edward Wisgin
followed Mr.. league in an able
presentation Of the many advantages which
the county would derive from this road.
lie stated that there would be paid out In
Aroostook during the present year over q
million and half Of lollars for the pota' O
crop alone.
Rev. G. NJ. Park spoke at some length
and showed some very conclusive reasons
Why the proposed road should be built. lie
said the county was unit on this question.
The county Was now paying tribute 10 4
foreign corporation. He said that the de-
sired line would be worth 100000 = year
to the people Of Aroostook. II would in
crease their prosperity many fold and
vastly enhance the value Of the property.
. Hon. Edward Wiggin said that the saw
Ing upon the present amount Of freight, to
NY soothing about the increAse that would
come through the establishment Of direct
line. would be $500 400 year.
Hon. A. A. Burleigb said that he had
found the sentiment Of the people Of the
county Was almost q unit in favor Of the
proposed plan. This would be shown the
committee from the petitions before them.
IL might be possible that there was some
iiule opposition in the southern part Of
the county. II that VAS the case the people
ihrs were afforded in The bill an ample op-
fturity 10 express their views 1t the polls.
II would not come before the Legislature
and ak for any bill, Of this character fol-
Arcostook that would not AFFORD ample
opportunity for its citizens to give such
expression to their views. The quettior
to be considered was whether the benefits
that would secrue TO the people Of Aroos-
took from the proposed loan OF credit
would be such ~ to justify an increase Of
'X,fion. Through his connection with the
custom house he had been able to obtair
the number Of cars Of freight thai
had been sent cut from the
ernitE. The larger portion Of this freight
bad gene to Boston and vicinity. The
sseraes cost Of transportation per carload
had beea almost $50. Figuring this freight
y his same rate per mile the people OF
Ne csu1ty would save By the new rosd 10
decrease Of distance over $500 900 year.
Every dollar Of this will be saved to the
Producers and consumers Of the county.
vho are the ones that pay it, taxes. IL We
should raise 45o0, 900 at 8 per cent. inter
sst, this would amount TO $4,000 . year
an amount the people Of Afeostcok coult
very veil snord to pay when they wef'
thereby making An annual sAvini
N freight chsrges of over sfoo,o
ayear. Mr.. Burleish expected, however
that the people Of Arcost,ok would nevsi
be called upon to pay these ntefee'
charges. He was confident that the ross
road would be payios venture from tn
time the first traia Of cars were run owe
h and that the dividends from the preferret
stock held BY the county would more thai
psy the interest on the county loan. II
closing MIR. Burleieh presented the com
mittse With new draft Of the bill whici
he urged on the ground thss - al petition'
Tor special charters had been Withdrawn
some sections Of the bill - ofistnab!
dsavn we're no longer needed. kepfe
tentative McAilisfer OF Orient
aid that the proposed road woose
Be- no benefit to the four town
OF Amisy, Orieot. Wee.on and Haynesviise
They already have . road, and the peopose'
lice would not come within thirty uiles 9
them. They we're not - rich ~ tho norm
ern part Of the county had been rspresente'
% be. In reply 10 question BY Juds
Stearns. Mr.. Nc Allistef said that the vain
alton Of these four towns was about Ss00.
900. He said he had no douht the roe'
would be . great benefit 10 the wnoi'
cosnty outside Of towns he had named.
Mr.. wiesin thought that the incrsase u
wealth and population that would com
from direct iine would be benefit to IN
whole county. !.
Mr.. A. l.. Haioes Il Fort Fairfield sai
the road would be Of vast value to ARGOS
took reople. Much of the freight nov q
ported vas Of perishable nature and snef
should be no delay 10 sessins i % market
Bsidss Academy Charter
The committee en- Educatiea gave q
hiRsvst hearing yesterday thss has thus 8.
esns before ehem. The HEARING was het
IN Representative Hall. The subtect ~
~ iucerporaiioa Of the Bridge Academy
+. ]. Baker ESQ. and Hou- h. n. Aeasl
appeared ~ the counsel Of the renonssfsni
and Hon. O. ID. Baker asd L. G. Coe1ss
appeared for the petitioness. ~. beD