The following summary of a public meeting on the issue of the railroadIheld in Somersetjshows the agreements and dis— agreements. ($0 A reporter from the Herald noted that the meeting was held on Thursday, March 6, 1871 in the Temper- ance Hall in Somerset; owing to the poor conditions of the roads less than a full house attended. Patrick McBride was voted to be chairman and John R. Walsh acted as secretary. The following resolutions were proposed: a first one pro— posed by Martin Somers and seconded by John T. Murphy, Esq. of Lot 26 was "almost unanimously rejected;" it read:

Whereas we live in a progressive age, and in order to keep pace with the times we should cheerfully embrace all modern improvements having a tendency to the welfare of the people; and whereas the agricultural products of P. E. Island, her revenues as well as her internal and commercial resources, have of late years greatly increased; and whereas the ,time has fully arrived when the requirements of the people call for a better mode of conv— eyance, and a quicker system of transit; Therefore Resolved that it is the opinion of this meeting that a line of Railway, connect— ing the principal cities, suitably provided with Rolling Stock, with a sufficient number of stations and branches, would greatly tend to the prosperity of all classes within this Island. (5)

A second resolution proposed by John h. Walsh and seconded by Thomas NcCarvell, Esq. was "carried unanimously;" Resolved that the opinion of the people of this Island, respecting the construction of a Railroad be fully and fairly ascertained by the Government, by means of public meet— ings, before any steps be taken thereon. (B) Disregarding all opposition the Pope government awarded

a building contract in September, 1871. C5) The anger of

his constituents was quickly made evident in a petition

5/.