Year: 1872

An Attempt to get in a Wedge.-No. III.


The aim these papers have in view, was in
part disclosed in a previous number. Their
title probably suf6ced to notify the reader at
least of this-that all that is now intended, is
little more than preliminary inquiry, and 1
will say here once for all, that their object
will be fully obtained, if they shall succeed in
awakening an interest in the three towns
chiefly concerned, sufficiently active to secure
the appointment of joint or several commits
sion, whose duty it shall be to investigate the
whole subject as thoroughly as may be, and
report accordingly. OF the many steps that
must be taken before An enterprise of this
kind can be brought to its consummation,
this would seem to be the first. But the public
mind, it seems, must be stimulated in some
way, before even this step will be taken. In
an enterprise of similar magnitude, now a
suitor for public aid, the course here sugges-
ted has been adopted. In relation to that
enterprise, and its comparative promise as
an instrument to promote the growth and
prosperity of Portland, while the writer has
his opinions, and very decided ones, he does
not feel called upon to obstrude them here In
the absence of anything like apathy in rela-
ton to it, there is small necessity for adding
to the interest already felt, and the question,
both sides oft, is in the hands of those who are
abundantly able to take care of it, without
with it, even if 1 had right to. 1t is of
course obvious to everybody, that upon gem
eral principles railroads and manufactures
are mutual allies each of the other, the only
conflict of opinion that can arise on this sub
ject at this time being that which has regard
to the undue proportional development of
one beyond the other. l have alluded to the
matter here, because it seems to me nothing
less than fatuity, to furnish means for an in
vestigation which contemplates increased
railroad facilities. of which we have tolera-
BILE supply already, and to refuse to contribute
in like manner for the promotion of manu-
factuFes, of which we have very scantv sup-
ply. But not claiming that the proposed i'm
provements on the Presumpscot occupy a
higher level, is it not fair to assert that they
stand at least upon all-fours with any railroad
project whatever, in the promise they con-
tain to advance the interests of Portland and
the neighboring towns, and hence also in
their claim to be investigated and reported
upon? If there are competitive claims be-
tween two such projects-which does not yet
appears it not both a fair and wise poll
cy, which, so far as concerns this quite mex
pensive point, viz, investigation of their
merits, one should fare as well as the other {?


But to proceed. The object of these pa
pers, limited as already explained to single
purpose, of course Will not be expected to in
clude any detailed statement as to the capa-
bilities of the privilege in question, or its
adaptedness to the end proposed A few
general facts only can find place here, re-
port by an authorized commission such as it
is hoped will be constituted by the towns in
terested, being the proper place, as is sup
posed, to look for details and the precision of
| figures.


But something in this way must be attempt
ed here and now. And first of all it seems
not unworthy of mention, that gentleman
of high reputation, both personal and pro-