Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-09-05
eLecraIcs AND THE BRIDGES.
Special Town Meeting. Saturday, to Settle the
Question Of Crossing.

Saturday afternoon. in the Opera
house To decide the question Of allow
ing the Electric cars to cross the
bridges. An unusually large crowd
was present. Many farmers ere now
hauling in their corn and 1t was con-
venient to drop into the meeting.
nevertheless their delegation was not
so large as it generally is.
Lawrence Newhall & Co. Of Shaw
nut, which is a part OF this town,
closed their mill In order that their
men might have an opportunity 10 vote.
The Somerset Fibre Co, also managed
to have a good proportion of their crew
present. The faction in favor of the
movement was made up largely of
those interested in these two firms.
One of the chief causes of the strong
opposition was the fear OF the tax
payers that the town would be liable
for all damages to teams and other
property if it allowed the ears TO cross.
This might materially increase their
taxes and they naturally dreaded this
responsibility.
Another cause was the belief that
the bridges were not fit for electr!cs.
which was well fixed in spite of the
bridge experts testimony. The bene-
iit1to the town, this faction thought,
could not balance the disadvantages.
The meeting was called to order by
+. T.. McFadden in the absence of
Clerk M. II. Blackwell. and the war
rant read. G.. G. Weeks was chosen
moderator according to the usual Gus
tom. Z. j. Lawrence started the busi-
ness by moving that the salectmen be
authorized to grant permission to the
Benton & Benton Falls Electric Rail-
rod Co. to extend their line from Ben
ton station. across the bridges. TO Main
street. provided they hauled no freight
across the bridges, and also to allow
them to extend the line up Island
street to the Somerset Fibre Cos. MILL
He explained the purpose of the
company in asking this permit. The
part of the line crossing the bridges
was to be for passengers only
That part running up the island was
to connect the pulp mill and the Maine
Central yard. so that Maine Central
cars could be transferred directly from
their track to the mill of the Somerset
Fibre Co. across their own private
bidge.
In this way the shipping facilities of
the pulp mill could he greatly in
creased and an enlargement of their
business would be ensured. He said
the Somerset Fibre Co. had always
been great benefit to the town, was a
heavy tax payer and had never before
asked any favor of the town.
II. NJ. Mansfield. superintendent cs
the Somerset Fibre Co.. then explained
his side of the question more fully. The
opposition now showed their hand by
demanding just how the town would
be benefited and explaining the towns
liability to all damage caused by the
road across the bridges.
This point seemed to have much in
fluence in prejudicing the tax PAYERS
against the move. 1t was advanced by
Mr.. Judkins, who believed the town
had never contracted for a bridge capa-
bic of bearing Electric cars in safety.
In reply to this, Mr.. Lawrence. who
was one of the committee which con-
tracted for the bridges, said that they
had contracted for bridges that could |
be crossed by Electric cars, since they
foresaw that such would soon be need. |
ed and by building them then the town |
might be saved needless expense |
later.
A. F. Gerald, he said, was also on the |
committee and who is an expert in |
such matters, was satisfied that the |
bridges were adequate for Electrics.
Calls for the question ended the dis
cussion. Messrs. Kelley and Bowman
were appointed to count the votes. Mr.,
Kelley found POI opposed to the move
and 1s9 in favor. Mr.. Bowman's count
was 155 opposed and POI favoring.
This variation gave the defeated
side a new chance. They demanded |
the check list. In this way the oppo-
sition would lose Its farmers, who
would be unable to remain through
the tedious process Of voting in this
way. There was confusion in regard
to the list and before vote could be
taken the opposition moved an ad-
journment and carried their motion.
Now. on September IA. they are COM
ing to the adjourned meeting pre.
pared to remain until midnight IL nee
essary. Meanwhile new Developments
will be watched withsareat interest,
mn ~ v. 1