Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-09
aueusrxs OPPORTUNITY.
Ringing Letter from Mayor MilIiksn On The
Com ection With N. 90. 1t ceepsr's Mills.

Editors Kennebec Journal:
The time is fully ripened for the citizens
OF Augusta to act in the matter Of q railroad
to connect Augusta with the Wiscasset G.
Quebec road. That road has recently been
bonded for $50, 900, thus en.uring the
purchase Of the Hartland road and the
building of the connecting link from Burn
ham to Pittsfeld. The road will eventual
~ be extended to Brownville, there connect
ing with the G. Pacific and B. & A. rail-
roads. Now the question for the citizens of
Augusta to decide, and decide at once il, do
wewant to lay "a large, thriving country trib-
utary to Augusta, or fold our arms and
allow it to 60 elsewhere?
The question is not how much the con-
templated road will pay in freight and pas
senger traffic, but the one propounded
above. Then again we should look to the
not far distant future, when the Somerset
X. h. will be extended from Oakland to
Augusta and sooner or later the road from
Lewiston to Augusta. All these will help
to make Augusta quite railroad center.
She will also have improved advantages
by water, a. the river channel is improved
BY Uncle Sam. Within ten years we shall
have facilities in this direction for IA to Is
feet draft vessels to come to Augusta.
With increased and improved wharf advan-
tages, we may be the shipping point for ali
the inland coal. We have the decided ad-
vantage in this direction from the fact that
vessels will come to the Kennebec with
coal in preference to going elsewhere, as
load of ice always awaits them for q return
cargo.
Now the board of trade should and must
act at once. Every person doing business
in Augusta should become personally in
terested. Every person who rents blocks,
stores or dwellings, should also feel the i'm
portance of this movement. What will the
road cost to Cooper's Mills all built; ready
for rolling stock? Well, the outside figure
would be $3.50, 1000; perhaps 1925 900 will
do it. How can we raise 80 much money?
Let every one pull together in Augusta and
along the line and raise the first 100000,
in preferred stock with the distinct under
standing that we will raise money enough
on the start to build the road. No bond
ing, or issuing of n-preferred stock
Let every person subscribe-not for the
dividends he is to get, but for the increased
volume of business the road will surely
bring to him and others.-Sometime the
stock will be paying investment of itself.
The balance can be raised by the
city and towns. 1 understand that
$4,000 to $4,000 can be raised by private
subscription at Cooper's Mills and vicinity.
Those people east of us are exceedingly
anxious to hold and strengthen their bust
ness relations with the Capital city. Now
is the time labor, iron and all materials for
railroad construction are cheap-cheaper
than they can remain great while. Fellow
citizen will you move in this matter? Let
the answer be strong. decisive and produc-
tive of results that shall be to the benefit
both Of ourselves and of those who come
after US. Iremain very truly yours,
CHAs. A. MILLIKEN, Mayor.