Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-02-12

corporation hal ever limited at buyins
the franchise should one be granted. The
incorporntors etood on their own prop
Judge Walker of Bridgto1 on being
questioned by the committee, said nc
would frankly admit that the Brfdgton 4
Saco River Road would not have taken
UP the matter Of extending the rOau to
Harrison of the new rOa. had not come
up. 1t was the intention and always mad
been the Intention to extend this road
would permit. He put In a strong plea
to the new road. taking the ground that
condition for extension to Harrison. So
far MS he was concerned, he wished Il
road could be built to the dooryard Of ev-
cry one who deserved 1t. But after put
ting In their money to maintain road,
his clients were opposed to having freight
taken from them by another road. This
proposed road would not only take this
extra freight that would come to the
Bridgton q Saco River Road when 1t was
extended to Garrison. but It would natur-
ally deprive them OF II portion or the bus
mess IL now has.
General Mattocks said these people
come here asking this Legislature to set
aside general laws and grant them a
charter over route which was now vest
cd IN the company he represented. He
pleaded that the tow path owned by the
presumpscot River Railroad Co. covered
the route OF this proposed road to all
DTdctICiI purposes. Inc lOC1tlOn OF 10
miles of road is protected BY charter.
Why don't these people ask for a location
for their road beyond this 13 miles? He
hinted that perhaps these people wanted
a charter to speculate with.
George L. Bird of Portland, closed for
the incOrporators of the Westbrook.
Windham 4 Harrison road He said the
road could not be organized under general
law because there were no provisions In
general law permitting the use OF any
power except animal or electricity. This
company wishes to use compressed air;
didn't ask for anything that every COM
pany organized for years has not been
granted. Towns who may be as...- to
give aid are only requested to give per
cent. of valuation.
This road would not parallel the Br.-g-
ton & Saco River Railroad. 1t is from 10
to 10 miles from that r0ad. with pond
between. Judge Walkers road has had
Harrison. only five miles distant. He
paid his respects to the Presumpscot
River Road. and thought that after -
wears ,,. II should not be permitted to sit
pie who are striving to get something
they don't seem to have considered OF
value enough to develop.
lie said the existing steam road was
not opposed to his company getting Il
charter. Even the Portland Street Rail-
road Co. raised no objections to ii. His
here this session. and closed one of the
most interesting. most largely attended
hearings thus far.
Later In executive session the railroad
committee voted ought to pass on the
following three bills: To authorize the
Auburn and Turner road to make loan.
TO extend the charter of the Castinc Rail-
road and Navigation Company. ana to
amend the charter of the Atlantic Shore
Line Railway Company.
The State prison committee met. Thurs
day. and voted that the petitioners for a
State reformatory for women have leave
to Withdraw. 1t also voted ought to pass
on the resolve for $500 for repairs at the
State prison and to fix up the school
room.
5rhe commttc on reform school left.
yesterday afternoon. for Portland. and
viii visit and inspect the school, today.
BY actual count, the Capitol elevator
carried 1i12 persons. Wednesday. This
was II big days work and indicates both
the great size of the crowd that day, and
the general appreciation of the elevator.
One Of Thursdays most enjoyable and
unique features. and the funniest occa-
sion of the whole winter. was the late
afternoon assemblagc in the hall of the
House. The committee work was over,
and members. officials. iobbiests and yis-
itors all flocked in there to hear Uncle
Holden of Otisfield, lecture on astronomy
and kindred topics. among them the Aus
tralian system of voting, which deprived
him of his suffrage. last fall. The chair
man Of the gathering was ex-senator
Mitchell of Kittery. one of the wittics:
men living, and his running fire of COM
ments and rulings. interspersed with the
periods and arguments of the lecturer.
made the crowd roar with laughter till
the sides of every person ached. Mr..
Holden proved beyond doubt that the
earth is Hat and retired with a generous
collection to grace his oratorial triumph.