Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-24
PRAYER GRANTED,
Railroad Commissioners Give Decision
in Van Buren, Railroad Case.
They Approve the New Survey and Petitioners
Can Build There.


public, Tuesday. their decision on tn,
hearing that they held in regard to tn,
change in the proposed location of the
branch line of the Bangor & Aroostool
Railroad from Caribou to Van Buren,
They give their decision in favor of the
petitioners. and the work can now &c
ahead over the new survey.
The decision in full makes interest.
ing reading and tells the reasons why
they believe the new route is the
proper one. Herewith is the decision
BY this petition the Bangor & Aroos.
took Railroad Company asks permits
sion to change the location of its road
between Caribou and Van Buren,. by
authority of chapter 1913 of the Public
Laws of 1898.
Notice was given as ordered and the
commissioners met at the time and
place mentioned in said order.
Mr.. Hugh r. Chaplin appeared as at
torney for the Bangor & Aroostook
Railroad Company.
Messrs b. l.. Fletcher, c. c. King
and John p. Donworth appeared as a
committee for the citizens of Caribou,
70 oppose the change Of location.
BY request, and consent of all par
ties. the hearing was adjourned to
Clark's hall, in the village of Caribou.
where all parties appearing We're
heard
The petitioners claim that the line
already surveyed and filled in 1892, is
not the most practicable route from
Caribou to Van Buren,. The claim is
that it runs through a portion of the
county where no development can be
expected, and that the expense of con-
will be much larger than the
proposed line, and that the proposed
new line runs through portion Of the
county where large developments in
business may naturally be expected.
The citizens Of Caribou. by their
committee, object to the change of the
line; and while they admit that one
objection is that the new line will de-
velop business north Of Caribou. which
Will be naturally taken away from
their village, they say their main OBJ
lection is that it is longer line and
that it would materially increase the
county tax. and that as Caribou pays
One-twelfth of all the county tax, the
town is Interested to that extent and
hence they appear and make objection.
While an increase of county taxes
may be valid objection, under certain
conditions and circumstances, it is
worth mentioning that no other town
in the county of Aroostook appeared
elf hpr nv mr. a tn nj,
ject to the new location, for that or
any other reason. And while personal
notice was ordered. and given upon the
county commissioners of ArOostook
county. no objection was raised by
them, on behalf of the county. Hence.
we are forced to conclude that the real
objection Of the citizens of Caribou is
that if the line is diverted further west
than the original survey. the business
interests Of Caribou may be affected.
Self interest is most natural among
persons and communities, and always
cOmmenda BILE; but under the circum-
stances of this case it does not seem to
us that it should have great weight
In coming to the conclusion at which
we have arrived we have taken into
the history of the Bangor
& ArOostook Railroad Company, a
brief statement Of which we will give.
The company was organized under
the general law for the building Of g
railroad from Brownville to Pressure
Isle. BY chapter 166 of the Private
Laws of 1891, said company was
authorized to build a railroad from
Pressure Isle. "by the most practicable
route through the village Of Caribou to
St John river. in or near the town Of
Van Buren, in said county" Or. from
some point of connection with the line
which it is now authorized to build. by
the most practicable route through the
villages of Fort Fairfield, and Caribou.
to the St John river in or near said
town of Van Buren," BY said act and
by chapter go Of Private and Speci2'
Laws of 1891 the county Of Aroost"ok
was authorized to aid in the construc-
ton Of a railroad through said county
and TO acquire and hold preferred stock
Of the company building such railroad.
on April 90. 1891, the towns IN the
county of AroostoOk voted 70 ald the
construction of said railroad As pro
vided by the several acts above re
cited At that time no location OF TIE
line had been made from Carlhou 10
Van Ruren. but the act provided that
The comnanv should locate its line, ana
commence the construction of its road
before July l. 1892. and might build oN
the most practicable route through the
village Of Caribou to St. John river IN
-, naar the town of Van Buren,. -
th,t whom the vote was taken on April
% 1891 no location had been filed from
carihou to Van Buren,. The location
,,as filed with the county commission
arr an June !. 1892, and the opponents
~ the change. the citizens Of Caribou
saan, 10 have voted at that time II
eo,.or of the road, leaving the Houre 10
he settled afterwards.
- nav be that when the Eango" "
,noostook Railroad Company fied the
,a,ion of their line on June ., 1872,
,ith the county commissioners o.
,naostook county. they were bound by
tbat route. and could not AFTERWARDS
,a II because at that time there
20 statute authorizing such a
Rut by chapter l93. Publc
Iilal of 1892. it was provided that any
raiiroad corporation. under the direc-
.:, If the railroad commissioner
alo,a make any changes in the location
mo! rnad which it deems necessary
VI 10 adient. and such changes snail
" ordad where the original locitlph
al