The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-06-01
THE RAILROAD MEETING.

Many Citizens Express Their Desire to Have
the n. Nj. s. r. r. Extended to Belfast, and
None Oppose. A Committee Appointed to
Consult Property Owners.
In response to the call by the Mayor a
g0odly number of citizens assembled in the
court room last Thursday evening. In
calling the meeting to order Mayor Shales
said that the meeting was intended for a
free discussion of the railroad question and
that all who desired would be given d hear
ing. Hon. VIM. P. Thompson when called
upon said that he was heartily in favor of
building the proposed road. Mr. j. F.
Wilson said he did not know the object of
the meeting. He referred to the railroad
meetings in the past, at the time of the
building of the Belfast & MOosehead Lake
Railroad, and in conclusion moved that a
committee of five be appointed by the chair
to confer with citizens on the east side and
ascertain the amount asked for land dam
ages. Mr.. Wilson asked that in appointing
said committee his name should not be con-
sidered, but the mayor in subsequently,
naming the committee made Mr.. Wilson
clearly sustained his action. MIR. W. A.
Mason, who was appointed, said he was
unable to serve as he expected to go away.
The committee is as follows: j. F. Wilson,
Selwyn Thompson, o. E. Frost, c. w.
Lancaster and A. A. Howes. Mr.. Eli
Cook spoke of the law which enables the
railroad to take the land required and sug-
gested that if the county commissioners or
court did not award what the owners con-
sidered sufficient damages the amount
should be made up to them. Collector
James S. Hartman said that the city of
Belfast could not aid in any such under
taking, as its debt was now up to the statute
limit. He then told of what he had seen on
recent official visits to Stockton Springs
and said that no one could realize without
seeing it the magnitude of the work in
progress there. Six hundred feet of wharf
is already built, and an extension of 1,OOc
feet is under construction. This is on the
western shore of Cape Jellison. Directly
across the harbOr at Kidder's Point another
large wharf will be constructed for the use
of the passenger boats and domestic freight
traffic, while the Cape Jellison wharf will
be used principally for foreign freight.
The contractor told Mr.. Hartman that
those wharves would cost 100000 and
would exceed in capacity the wharves at
Bangor. Mr.. Hartman spoke of the large
roundhouse in construction at Mack's
Point where the coal pockets are to be
fad nd 10 &c,
to be built. The piling used is oak, the
caps are hard pine, 14x14, and the planking
of spruce, AKA Mr.. George Trask of the
Duplex Roller Bushing Co. was called upon
and said he had never had occasion to
speak where there was no room for an ar
gument. Everybody, he supposed, must
favor the building of this road, which was
desirable from every point of view. He
expected to make his home in Belfast and
should welcome the additional facilities for
people to come to Belfast, or to leave
Having had some experience in the rail-
road business he knew what help the
road would be in furnishing employment,
in many trades. 1t would help our business
men, our lawyers and our banks. Then,
as the lease of our present railroad to the
Maine Central would expire before many
years, this new road might want it, and it
was better to have two bidders than one
Mr.. O. E. Frost of Mathews Bros was
heartily in favor of the new road. He
spoke of recent visits to Aroostook, where
there were evidences of great prosperity on
every hand. The people were living in fine
houses and appeared to have plenty of
money. Speaking of Aroostook products
he mentioned one man who some time be-
fore the season closed had shipped POO car
loads of potatoes. Mr.. M. C. Hill, of
course, wanted the road, like everybody
else He thought there had been too much
said about what Mr.. Cram would do and
what property owners would not do, and
that we should endeavor to bring about a
satisfactory settlement. John r. Dunton,
Esq, was called upon, but as he is en-
ployed by the railroad company, said he
did not feel that he should speak as citi-
zen on the question. He hoped the road
would be built. Judge George E. John
son said that no one could come to Belfast
without leaving more or less money, and
the more facilities we have for travel the
better, The point made by Mr. Trask con-
cerning our present road he thought was
important and should have it's weight. II
the road ended at Stockton, while it might
benefit us to some extent indirectly, the
tendency would be to take business away
from US. Judge r. W. Rogers was called
upon, but had nothing to say When a
rising vote was called for of those in favor
of the new road every one stood up, includ-
ing two who remained seated when a like
vote was called for at a former meeting.
The meeting was apparently entirely unani-
nous and if there are any who are opposed
to this undertaking it is to be regretted
that they did not appear and state their
objections. They would have had an at
tentive hearing and their arguments would
have received due consideration.
THE JAPS VICTORIOUS.