Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-11
AN ABLE COMMUNICATION
From President Bangs Of Augusta
Board of Trade
Relative to The Branch Railroad To Coopsrs
Mills.
Editors Kennebec Journal !:

lII1tOfS heHHeUcC cOHfJtnt.
am pleased to read in your issue of
Yesterday, the communication of our es.
TENED mayor in relation to the necessity
Of more extended railroad facilities for Au-
cnta. And with your kind permission |
vrsil TO emphasize all the points made by
him. and also call the attention Of our bust
ness men to few items that had ought to
speak louder than any other argument in
favor of immediate action in the premises.
Those of your readers who. can remem-
Der back to the time when the old Kenne-
bee & Portland Railroad was first talked of,
will recollect that some of our townsmen
used the same arguments that are so dog
ma,ically made against any new railroad
enterprise today, viz. that it will not pay
as an investment; losing sight entirely of
ultimate results to the business prosperity
of the city in the future.
At that time our means of communica-
ton with Boston and the supply market.
was a boat once week, and q propeller
enthusiastically. But, thanks to few
enterprising and far-seeing leaders, the
railroad was built and daily train estab-
lished with Portland and Boston.
In 1860 our valuation was So 400 90 and
our population 1890, while under the pro-
Qressive policy which built the railroad,
and encouraged the Edwards Co. and other
industries, our valuation has increased to
8,l52 $50 in 1880, and our population to
1851, which has been proportionately aug
mented since then.
In the present case, however, the ques-
ton of "ways and means is one that must
be submitted to popular verdict,
owing to the constitutional provision,
wise or otherwise) which limits the city s
debt to per cent of our valuation, and it
remains for the business men of Augusta
to decide whether they will allow the pres
tge they now hold in the Kennebec valley
to slip from them and our stores which now
are so busy and prosperous to gradually
become the depots of 'innocuous disue-
tude," or take hold of this matter with the
masterful energy that has so distinguished
them since the advent of this era of pros
perty and by uniting their efforts and capt.
tai push boldly out toward an assured sue
cess.
The mayor says: 1.-THE board Of trade
should and must act at once" thus intimat-
ing that success or failure depends upon
their efforts. This is a wrong premise,
while undoubtedly meant well in his discus
sion of the subject. The board of trade is
not moneyed institution, neither has 1t
the power to legislate upon this question.
1t can make in measure public opinion,
and advise in matters pertaining to the in
terests of the locality in which it is located.
This it has been doing for this eastern rail-
road connection for nearly a year.
Early in the spring of 1871
it appointed committee of which
our present mayor was an enthusiastic
member to visit Rockland in the interests
of a road through Coopers Mills to Union
Common to connect there with the Georges
Valley Railroad, thus making continuous
line from Augusta to Rockland, and estab-
fishing new port of entry for US in the
winter season. This committee were so
successful in their efforts, that the ROCK
land people Joined them, and sub-com-
mttee of gentlemen, made up from the best
material of both cities, was selected 10 con-
fer with the directors of the Maine Central
Railroad in regard to the matter of connec-
tions. etc. The report of this committee
has not yet been received, but it is well
known that the management of that road
are not antagonistic to the enterprise, and
in fact look favorably upon the project.
Whether they would feel the same toward
road to connect with competing line IS
not so certain, but from their well known
progressive policy, in developing the re-
sources of Maine, cannot believe that
they would actively oppose it.
But this fact is already established and
must not be lost sight of; unless those
whose business interests are identified with
the continued prosperity of our city take
hold of this matter, and that speedily, the
opportunity will vanish, and with it the main
link in the chain of any more northern OF
western railroad connections when
eventually will come to us if this road is
built. More than this, Augusta capitalists
are no more patriotic than those of other
localities, and they need not be expected to
invest in this enterprise which pro misses no
immediate returns in cash dividends, unless
those financially interested show by thei'
actions as we'll as their words, that they are
alive to the situation and ready to Ego down
into their pockets" first. That 1t WIZ
eventually pay, think the first part OF thu
article demonstrates, and to forward 1t II
every possible way, which can be done
legtimately, | have no hesitation in pledg'
ing the hearty cooperation of the Augusts
board of trade. The books of our organlza
ton are open to receive the names OF any
and all of our citizens who believe in Thu
or any other enterprise, whereby August'
may maintain what it already holds, the
keys of the Kennebec valley. Shall w
surrender them now? If so; then II l
forever. Very truly,
A. S. BANGS,
President, Augusta Board of Trade
Arcrsr. Maipe October 10, 1894.