The Portland daily press., 1896-06-23

petitioners represented the best OF the
business and social life of the com-
munity. In the absence of any remon-
STRANGE, might it not fairly be said that
the petitions represented the sentiment
OF the community?
Mr.. Libby spoke Of Gorham's location
near Portland, its attractive situation
and it's desirabiliry as summer resort
He urged that it was the duty OF state
officers to promote the welfare OF the
towns of the state, and certainly there
was no community more deserving of
encouragement than this. Mr.. Libby
asked if it wouldn't be a wise construo-
| ton of the law to regard the expression
of the unanimous wish of the people of
Gorham as showing what public COZ
venience demanded. He had mover heard
that before the legislature the opposition
of single steam road was sufficient to
cause refusal to grant charter. .
When Mr.. Libby had concluded, the
Gorham people applauded loud ami long.
Mr.. Libby called upon Mr.. Stephen
Hinkley. but at this point
l
and in behalf of the Rochester road en-
tered a protest against the proceedings,
arguing that it was presentation OF a
case already fully heard and decided.
The only ground that Mr.. Libby had
stated for this second hearing AMI the re-
opening of the case, was that certain for
malities had been waived at the first
| hearing, but they had been waived with
Mr.. Libby's own consent and with re-
| luctanoe by the commissioners. Now to
attempt to reopen the case, Judge Sy-
monds regarded as most unusual pro-
ceeding. He had been unable to see that
single new matter had been presented.
Mr.. Libby was prompt to reply. He
said he never yet knew that the board of
railway commissioners refused to do
what the United States Supreme court
did not refuse to do. toEre-hear an fm-
portanJ case. The people went year after
year to present matters to the legislature.
Mr.. Libby had no apologies to make for
presenting this matter now. AT the time
of the drst hearing. all the steps for this
one had not been taken and the informal
opinion was desired as bearing upon
| those steps. Since, in Difference to the
wishes of the people. the location had
been completed and the matter was now
formally presented.
Mr.. STEPHEN HINKLEY
said that he appeared as chairman of the
committees appointed at citizens meet
| ing of the village corporation and meet
| ing Of the town. Mr.. Hinkley spoke
| the lack Of facilities Sundays and in the
evening when trains were not run. Hon.
| Frederick Robbie said that he had been
asked to say few words on the
question. There are certain factors which
enter into this matter and which are of
| Importance. Gov. Robbie spoke of the
beauties of Gorham and referred to tho
gift Of the Normal school building to tho
| state as showing the character of the
people. The petitions presented repre-
sented the views of the people of the town
and Gov. Robbie said he joined with the
people of his town in this request. The
| petitions had been signed by every one to
whom they had been presented with one
exception, and that was woman who
was afraid that the cars would scare her
horse. Mr.. Robe, referring to remark
made by Mr.. Emery in his argument
that the Portland and Rochester had no
legal standing here, said that he regretted
that his friend should have said the rail-
roads had no right here. President
Tuttls had told Mr.. Robbie that all the
Boston and Maine wanted was that it's
rights be considered by the commission.
As director of the road. the Governor
wanted it's rights considered, while as a
citizen Of Gorham he wanted the wishes
of its people fulfilled. And he realized
that the electric road could do things
which the steam road could not
GOV. Robe DEMANDED
that the wishes of the people be fulfilled
Rev. Mr.. Reynolds said that in the
nine years he had been in Gorham he had
never seen the people so united as they
were at this time, and it seemed to him
that the voice of the people should be
heard.
MR.. j. Il. RlNES,
of Portland, said that he had bought
property on the limo of the road in the
belief that it would sometime be built
| When he hired man to work on his
| place, the first question asked by the
man was, fWhat about schools?'' "And
always tell him." said Mr.. Rines,
THAT we're going to have an electric
road some day and then he can go any
where" MIR. Rines knew that the
sentiment on the line of the proposed
road was unanimously in it's favor. He
urged the building of the road, too. as
means OF attracting summer visitors to
Gorhaln and also giving another source
of enjoyment to people sojourning in
Portland. MIR. Rines did not think the
| Rochester should object to the new road.
He believed 1t would lead to an increase
| for the steam line.