Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-05
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
(Continued from Page Five.)

Mr.. DORR of Dresden: Mr.. Speaker,
the gentleman from PASSPORT in giving
the number of population of the town or
Midway quoted the year 1900 when the
population was 297 according to the Maine
Register. There is no later population
given in this book. but you will notice
that the polls in 1900 were 107 and in 1904
they were 143. Evidently there has been
quite an increase in population during
the mast nine years. At our public hear
ing at which time we thoroughly inves-
ticated this matter, those adhering there
claimed that there was population
there now of 600 people; and evidently
this is far more deserving now than it
would have been in the year 1900. The
committee after careful investigation
have deemed them worthy. They desired
an appropriation of $4,000; we considered
that $4,000 was sufficient and recon-
mended that sum. hope that this re-
solve will have a passage.
Mr.. PIKE: Mr.. Speaker, just one word
more The original resolve asked for soo,-
OoO for the construction of this bridge,
and doubt if it could be constructed for
that amount of money. Finally it was re-
duced to $4,000 with the provision that
those towns may contribute to Its sup
port; but, gentlemen, these towns are SO
small that they cannot contribute dol
lar toward the construction OF this brldge.
The testimony before the committee on
wavs and bridges was to the effect that
the town of Midway could not contribute
any appreciable amount to its construc-
ton. Now $4,000 will not con-
struct that bridge. In two years
from today these men will be here before
the next Legislature asking for an
additional appropriation to COM
pete the construction of this brldSe'
When the State once undertakes III
construct a bridge of course II must
carry it out; and I submit, gentlemen
that we ought not at this time to grant
this appropriation.
Mr.. STRICKLAND: Mr.. Speaker:
May 1 ask the gentleman from East
port question?
The SPEAKER: Will the gentleman
from PASSPORT yield to the gentleman
from Bangor for a question?
Mr.. PIKE: Certainly.
Mr.. STRICKLAND: Were you ever
at Midway at the mouth of the East
Branch CT the Penobscot river where
they propose to build this bridge?
Mr.. PIKE: If l We're there I should
should never expect to get back with
out a guide.
Mr.. STRICkLAND: I suppose you
never were there: I judge so.
Mr.. LIBBY of Amity: Mr.. Speaker:
I think the very fact that those people
who live up there in the northern part
fr.xri 4 n max s
a living are not able to build their
bridge themselves is a good reason why
this State should take hold and help
them build it. 1t is vastly different
living in the northern part of that
county in poor town where you arc
not able to help yourselves and living
out around these cities where you have
good bridges; and do hope that this
House will see fit to help those poor
people who live up there SO far away
that the gentleman from PASSPORT could
not get back without guide. l hope
YOU will give them this aid to build
this bridge. -
Mr.. BEARCE of Eddington: Mr.
Speaker: ] feel it my duty to appea,
on this question for the farmers. II
has been my good fortune to visit that
part of the backwoods and. investi-
gate conditions there, not in regard
to bridge but for other purposes. Il
the town of Midway they have two
ferries, one crossing the main river
and one crossing the East Branch
Across the East Branch they ask fcl
| this bridge. Now the farmers wher
going to market. as the principal farms
are upon the west side of the mair
river, must pay two ferriages to ge1
to Millinocket or East lIilinocket, ant
I claim that it is right that we should
| help them in some way. and I claim
| that it is opening up a new country
| it is developing better farms and bet
ter farmers, if we will but take hold
| and help them build this bridge.
think it is right to do So
The question being on the motion t.
| indefinitely postpone the resolve, Nj.
Pike called for division of the House