The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-07-31
ELECTRICS TO GORHAM.
A Spirited Hearing Before the Rail-
road Commissioners.
THE PORTLAND & ROCHESTER, A
REMONSTRANT.

Judge symonds and Hon. C. F. Libby Make
Forclble Arguments-Large Attendance
From Gorham-Commissione Reserve
Their Decision.
The Railroad Commissioners gave a
hearing yesterday at the West End Hotel
on the location of the proposed electric
line from Westbrook to Gorham. The full
board was present. There was large
number of citizens of Gorham present,
among whom were Col H. r. Millett,
Stephen Huxley, John S. Hinkley, John
A Waterman, Rev. George W, Reynolds,
DR.. O'Neil, President ]. W. Corthell,
W. R. Straw, George B. Emery, Frank
P, johnson, s. B. Guthrie, Lewis Nc
Lellan, II. B. johnson, Hon. Edward
Harding, Joseph Colman, George Chad
bourne, W. A. Parker, George M.
Lowell, Dr. Charles Ridlon, John @.
Summersides, and Fl. f. McKenney.
Hon. Charles f. Libby represented the
petitioners, and Judge j. W. Symonds
appeared for the Portland and Rochester
railroad and some minority stockholders
of the Portland Railroad company whose
names were not disclosed.
Mr.. Libby opened the proceedings by
giving something of the history of the
Portland and Rochester, and he limited at
the advantages that would accrue by an
electric road to Gorham. He had heard
Monday from Mr.. Wescott that there was
TO be some opposition to the road and he
would like to hear from Judge Symonds.
The board, however, desired Mr.. Libby
to proceed with his case
Mr.. Libby then called upon George B
Emery, Esq, who spoke at considerable
length in favor of the electrics. Mr..
Emery would find no fault with the
service of the Rochester road, but he was
sure that it was in the nature of things
that the electrics could furnish accommo-
dations that the steam cars could not.
Stephen Hinkley, Esq, who has lived
in Gorham all his life, stated that he was
very anxious for the electr ic road. He
said that while he had no fault to find
with the Rochester, yet he thought that
an extension of the electric line from
Westbrook would be great thing for
Gorham. There has been a marvellous in
Saccarappa and Woodfords since the
electric line was established two years
ago and it is impossible to buy some
real estate in Gorham since it has been
proposed to extend the line to that town.
: ST have no hesitation in saying" stated
Nv ink fffhaf if tho limo AZ
tended our population would be doubled
in ten years. When we heard last night
that there was to be hearing today and
that some opposition was to be mani
tested, the entire village was in a stir.
We could have got two hundred citizens
in here to this hearing and I don't know
how ma ny women.
Mr.. Libby stated that he would like an
adjournment so that the commissioners
might view the line, but the board said
that they were to have a hearing in Ban
gor today and the time could not be we'll
spared yesterday.
Judge Symonds then asked Mr.. Hinkley
more questions from which it was learned
that the tannery was the only manu-
featuring industry in Gorham. Mr.. Hink-
ley was not aware that land on the
present electric line had deprecated in
value the past two years.
Mr. Libby said that he could see that it
was useless to ask questions when the
commissioners were so ignorant in regard
to the lay of the land. This board should
see the territory.
"Perhaps we can get our distinguished
friend (Mr. Wescott) to run special
train to take the commissioners. :"
daughter
Judge Symonds suggested that it would
be agreeable to them to hold the hearing
ut Gorham and an adjournment was
accordingly taken.
President Wescott had special train at
the Rochester road, and at eleven O'Clock
it started for Gorham with the board of
commissioners, the attorneys, Presidents
Wescott and Wood, and a committee of
three Gorham citizens, George B. Emery,
Stephen Hinkley and Lewis Mcclellan.
one of the selectmen.
At Gorham carriages conveyed the party
over the route proposed from Gorham to
Westbrook, where thu party took electrics
and returned to the city, when the hear