Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-29
SHALL WE BUILD?
Is Question Now Being Agitated
by Watervi|Ie Citizens,
In Regard to the Propo ed WaterviIIe
& Wiscasset Rai'roa4.
Some are Opposed But Many Heavy Taxpayers
Favor the Plan.

Watervillc, May 2s.-(SpeciaD.- But
little interest has been taken for
the past few weeks in tho matter of the
city of Waterviile rendering aid in the con
struction Of the Waterville & Wiscasset
Railroad by guaranteeing the interest on
$50. 600 worth of the bonds of the road
But now when the matter is to be decided
by the vote of the people in few days, an
influence is being brought to bear against
the proposition. A few days ago letter
was published, which, though it gave no
good reasons why the voters of this city
should refuse to lend the desired aid, ex.
pre- ssod the opinions Of several men who
are large tax payers, each saying that they
should oppose tho movement with their
votes.
Now while there arc some who
may oppose the proposition from personal
motives OF otherwise, there are certainly
many Others, who are equally as large tax
payers, who Will vote in favor of it, be
lieving that it is for the best interest of
the city as city to do so W. B. Arnold
one of the largest Individual tax payers in
the city, is in favor of the city guarantee
ing the interest on The bonds for the re-
quired time.
Frank RedingtoD, another heavy tax
payer. will vote for it. Hon. S. S.
Brown Say IS it is the thing for the city
to do if we wish to grow. p. S. Heald
says yes. l.. II. Soper, with his large
amount of real estate, is in favor of it
Fred Pooler, another heavy tax payer and
bank director, will vote yes c. f. Grey
is another. and so the list might be in
creased by other large tax payers who
wish to see Watcrvile grow in population
and become the center of large trade.
1t has been fully demonstrated in the past
few years that no industry or business
comes to town without that town makes
bid for it. But once there it is beyond q
question source of benefit, however great
| or small
Some 25 years ago Waterville voted
to exempt for long term of years
! the Lockwood mills. and voted wisely, fol
by so doing brought in large manufac
| tory and lots of business. A few year.
ago it voted again to exempt for 10 years
the Maine Central car shop and again
acted well, for nearly 1000 people were
added to the inhabitants of the town
| But all these years the people had tt
unite to bear the burden of the increased
valuation. Still everybody admits it t.
be good thing for the city
Now the stand taken by the friends
of the proposed road is that by
voting aid the immediate buildin.
IT the same is assured, while re
fuslng it, 1T is likely to be sev(ra
| years before it is built, and perhaps never
| No one denies but it would be a goot
thing for the city to have the road, fol
| the most obstinate admit that it would
b ring to this city the trade of large sec
ton Of country.
Then too, the narrow guage sys
tenn of Franklin county is all read.
to build to connect with the road al
| Waterville and when the grading Is com
menced between here and Weeks Mills
dirt will commence to fly at the Farming
ton end Waterville will be the largest
town on the whole 1875 miles of road and
| naturally the base of all trade.