Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-05

layed along 30 that q little later we
won't know where we, are at. hops
the House win take this matter up and
dispose OF 1t on It's merits at the pres
ent rime.
Mr.. ROUNDS of Portland: Mr..
Speaker, hope the House will discuss
this matter at the present time. This
is little town and It cannot afford,
and the county cannot afford, to build
this bridge, and we all know that Mil
linocket and East Millinocket are
growing very fast / understand that
the county will not build It and It Is q
matter for the State to appropriate the
money.
Mr. BEYER of Portland: Mr.. Speak
err, I happen to have been up in that
territory and know something about
the condition and needs OF this bridge.
I am heartily in favor Of it. This Is q
special locality where they cannot
build it themselves and it is one Of
those cases where it is right and prop
err that the State should appropriate
money for that bridge. certainly
hope that this resolve will receive con-
sideration at the present time.
Tho question being on the motion to
postpone further consideration Of the
resolve until next Tuesday
The motion was lost.
The pending question being the Sec
ond reading of the resolve
Mr.. PIKE: Mr.. Speaker, I shall de-
tain the House but a few moments In
setting forth my reasons for moving
the indefinite postponement of this re-
solve. This Is a resolve carrying an
appropriation of $4,000. 1t is for the
construction of bridge from the lit
tie town of Midway having a popula-
ton of 247 and a valuation of 800. 900:
and in view of the fact that the sched-
ulc Of appropriations already before
us amounts to nearly $11,000.000 1t
seems to me that the expenditure of
$4,000 at this time is not proper. Where
are we to stop? Are we to grant
every appropriation that people ask for
who came in here? 1t seems to me that
we must draw the line somewhere. There
is no urgent necessity for the construc-
ton of this bridge at this time. It Is
,mp there in the wilderness of northern
Penobscot county; and believe that 81
5000 appropriation can be much better
expended in some other manner than in
the construction of this bridge. We have
before us appropriations for charitable
institutions and for many, other matters
which are great deal more pressing than
the construction of this bridge; and I ask
you, gentlemen. in the interests of econ
omy, TO vote for the Indefinite postpone
ment of this resolve.
Mr.. ROBBINS Of Fort Kent: Mr..
Speaker, I desire to say just word as
r - md
bridges. think voice the sentiment OIL
every member of that committee when II
say that this is one of the fairest and
most needed propositions which have
been considered before that committee.
see no reason for it's indefinite post.
ponement.
Mr.. ROUNDS of Portland: Mr.. Speak
err, you will see on the back Of this rel
solve a statement of facts. This wasI
brought to our attention in conferring|
upon this matter. The town of Midway.
as the gentleman from PASSPORT says, isl
up there in the northern part of Penob-|
scot county, town with not a large pop-|
ulation or much valuation, but 1t is ask
ing JUS to build a bridge for them so thew
can get into the town of Millinocket and
can market their produce where theyI
have large market. The town of Milli-I
nocket would like to have this bridge. And
this appropriation asked for is not forI
the whole construction. This county and
the towns surrounding have got to putt
in about dollar for dollar in order to getI
this bridge there. Now the towns of Mil
lnocket and East Millinocket are growing|
very fast, growing in population and I'M
valuation, but the little town Of MedwayI
is standing still; and as I understand ii
the town of Millinocket is going to helpI
to build this bridge. otherwise 1t could
not be built Take it home to yourselves.
if you were on one side of the river andI
the ice was going out and you wanted t0I
get across I think the people of Mini-'
nocket and the people of Midway would
like to cross that river, and think that
you. gentlemen. If you happened to be
up there would like to do the same thing.
When the ice is going out or when the.
logs are running it is very dangerous ia
cross. For about four months of the year
it is all mans life is worth to attempt
to cross on this ferry. No more worthy q
case has been brought before the cons
mittee on ways and bridges than thiss
therefore hope that the motion of the
gentleman from PASSPORT will not prevail.
Mr. PETERS of Ellsworth: Mr.. Speak
err, have no, personal interest in this
m latter nor am I a member of the com-
mittee which reported the. resolve. but
cannot help feeling that from the stand
point of the State there are considera~
lions here which should move us to grant
the sum asked for by the resolve. AS
understand it, it is not alone one town on
one side of this river and one or two on
the other that are to be benefited by the
proposition. but from the evidence ac-
companying the resolve there are II or u
towns, plantations and other organiza-
lions on one side of the river and very
rapidly growing community on the other.
and on account Of the present conditions
there are no reasonable facilities for com-
munication between these country towns
on one side of the river and the rapidly
growing manufacturing communities on
the other; consequently these farming
communities, some u towns and planta-
lions, are unreasonably impeded in get
ting there products to market. There ID
no bridge over the river. There is fer
nv. At times It is impossible to use the