Year: 1870

CONSOLIDATION.


The final hearing on consolidation was
held yesterday in the Representatives
Hall, before the Committee on Railroads,
Ways and Bridges; Hon. T. II. Cushing.
chairman,


Hon. Josiah Crosby of Dexter. appeared
in opposition to the measure. He had ap-
peared ON his own motion, uninfluenced
by any party or corporation. He was
aware of the great inequality of the con-
test; that there was strong power ar
rayed on the other side. This is the most
stupendous proposition ever presented to
the people of Maine. Ii the Portland &
Kennebec and Maine Central roads con-
solidate, all the roads will follow, combn-
ing in one huge corporation property to the
amount of between twenty and thirty
millions of dollars. The magnitude of
the matteris almost incomprehensible. If
the measure should be submitted to the peo-
Pile they would reject it at once. The Sec
ton of the bill in regard to fare, by inn
plication, puts the matter into the hands
of the corporation. 1t has been said that
competition of railroads is impossible.
There is no business in which competition
is so great. The railroad systems of
Belgium and England have been referred
too, but they are not at all in point, neith-
er are the railroads in Massachusetts. The
system that will work we'll there will not
do for Maine. Those localities are inter-
laced by railroads we are yet in our infan-
cv, and we need a system that will invite
and encourage rivalry.


These corporations say they do not ask
for lpore power than they now possess.
How about this? A law was put through
the Legislature in 1856, giving authority
for the leasing of roads, but from that
time to this these roads have not availed
themselves of the privilege. Now for
what purpose do they come here and say
that contract has been entered into be-
tween the two roads. which will be carried
out whether consolidation will be granted
by Legislative enactment or not? He had
but little faith in the contract. He didn't
believe the contract could be enforced in
a court of justice, because it is against the
policy of law. 1t said that the bill "con-
templates" change of gauge. 1t pro-
vides for no such thing. The probability
is that it puts in the distance the day of
uniformity. Let there be broad gauge
road from Halifax to Portland, will not the
interests of competition compel the other
road to change their gauge? After they
are united in one, where will be the motive
that will bring about a changer


After showing the working of competi-
lion on railroads, the speaker said that
there was danger, if this bill was passed,
that power would fall into the hands
bad men who may succeed those who
the present time control these roads. The
small roads will be gobbled up by the in
fluence which will be brought to bear up
on the stockholders in their meetings He
said that if the railroads in Maine. under
the present system, are rightly managed,
they can be made to yield revenue to
the State, as by law provided.


1t has been said that we shall have no more
railroad war, if this bill passes, but all will be
peace. Nothing can be more absurd. There
will be quarrelling all the time. DO you sup
pose the people will submit to the measure
quietly? There will indeed be time when
peace will come, after these large corporations
have stopped the mouths Of the people, but it
will be like making solitude and calling that
peace.


He doubted some of the statements made by
Mr.. Noyes the other day, and read extracts
taking the ground that the railroad interest,
of England dwarfs every other interest. He
said that the votes of the New York Legisla-
ture are bought and sold by large corporations
brothels and grog shops. We shall be guilty
if we do not make use of their experience and
escape from the perils which have beset them.


He was in favor of referring the whole mat.
ter to the people, and if they shall see At to
adopt the measure, have final action taken
upon it next winter. Portland, Bangor and
Lewiston have already made an expression
against it. Take the people at large and you
will not find one in five in favor of it.


Judge Rice of this city, made the closing
argument in favor of consolidation. He said
he did not intend to make speech, but wished