The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-30
THE PEOPLE ARE REJUICIN
To the Editor of the Pres:

There Is class OF people residing In
this section of the state, known as Away
Down East,' who are feeling like sone
young men who have attained their ms
jority, and are preparing to set up house
keeping on their own account.
1t was nearly thirty years ago when the
question Of building "Shore Line Rail-
road" from Calais to Bangor WAS tirst
aRitated. There has been many a. lip
between the cup and TIE lip" in materi-
aliziug the hopes. and earnest eftore-
the hundreds, yea, Thousands OF honest
minded people There have been all sors
of devices practiced to deceive and disap-
point the wishes Of the people. bu
thanks to the determined and strong
armed friends Of the great public enter
prise, the project has been wrought out
and today is a grand success
10 say that We have al "all rail Ameri-
| can line" from Calais and PASSPORT to
| Bangor, Portland and Boston means
| something more than the simple asser-
| ton. Those who have been subjected o
the trouble and expense Of making con-
neotion with the steamers Of the Inter
national line at Eastport. or the
| Canadian Pacific railroad ut st. Stephens
| n. b., By long drives at early hours OF
morning during the winter season havt
| a good right TO rejoice that those days are
past. The old man and his faithful wife
| who have scarcely jourueyed five mile
away from the house In which they were
born, renewipg their hge. They are sum-
moned by the sound OF the shrill whistle
to harness up the old horse to go TO the
station" where they expect to meat their
d iughter who Is coming on the train.
| This is something wonderful, "railroat
cars away down here in Charlotte, Me.
1t is even so. and the enterprising people
away down east are beginning to see how
nice thing 1t is to step ON board The
| train near their own door and enjoy a
comfortable ride, by day light, through
4 all the prosperous towns aud villages
lalun2 the route, and In less time than Ii
| would take to drive the old horse to the
lrelghborlng town fourteen miles distant
are waking the streets of Greater Port
land. All OF these miles they are riding
over the rails on Ameri can soil.
We are grateful to our Dominion friends
for their Kind services In helping us along
during these years when there were no
other modes of public conveyance than
the "star route MALI stage, joggina
along at four mile pace. But DOW the
| down east boy has attained his free
dom, and dons his new suit proudly.
The Washington county railroad and
the Maine Central railroad have con-
nected the link, and the travelling public
rejoices in the union. The ladies baggage
is no longer "held up" BY custom house
officials on the border to "spIing out
any article of contrab0nd ware.
The United states mails arc in charge
Of postal clerks on the trains who ars i'm
proving the service daily. People away
| down east in the rural districts sre lsarI
ing to prize the privilege Of reading the
city dRilIss ON the same day that paper
is issued from the press In Greater Port
land and cities further east.
/ A Of hAg mr. nthAI %
| leges and blessings are coming 10 the
people OF old Washington county by the
| dater mined efforts of men OF capital and
large public spirit. The iron horse has
made 1t possible for residents OF the ex-
treme points CT the old Pine Tree State to
exchange personal greetings by pleasant
ride of u few hours.
| 1t is those who have been depriv ed OF
the privileges SO much wished for, prayed
| for and sacrificed money and tine to OBJ
tain. that can duly appreciated the great
boom that is now a pleasing reality.
| General Manager Dowst Of the W. Z.
X. H., informs the public that there will
be two extra trains June LIST. and connect
\ with the Maine Ce atrai train over the
Bar Harhor branch. 1t will give the best
| accommod ation possible, connecting with
| Portland and Boston trains, which leave
| Bangor about three o'clock in the morn
ing.
The new road has been handled with
care Already the signs Of awaking are
evidence an along the line from Wash
ington junction to iiastport and Calais.
| The management of the Maine Central
| road are highly pleased with the return
| OF passenger traffic that has been turned
| over TO that road from the W. e. X. X.
We hope the Maine Press ASSOCIATE on
will take large observations along the
line of the new road on its excursion
down east in June. The friends along
the border will give them o cordial vel
come. Y. ID. Midi.
Penb broke. Me.