The Sarnia Observer and Western Advertiser
February 2, 1854
Grand Trunk Railway – Whether there is any foundation for the rumor, which has received currency through City
Council that an amalgamation between the Great Western and Grand Trunk Lines has taken place, does not yet appear.
Should such an event have transpired, it is not unreasonable that a corollary to the contract between the companies
will be a stipulation for the abandonment of the Western Branch of the line,intended to connect Toronto with the
Western Frontier at Sarnia. The effect of such an arrangement in the prospective calculations of this City, is a
matter of ver serious impact. Un questionably the understanding was, that this Line should run to the River St.
Clair, avoiding a junction with the Great Western at any point of the route. The City as a stock holder in the
Line, has no common interest in fulfilment of these stipulations. If it is determined by our Railway Governors to
break them we shall see good reason apart from the temporary rise in the Grand Trunk Stock for those indicious men,
the Contractors seeking to relieve the Corporation of it’s responsibilities in the Road. We shall be able better to
appreciate the magnanamity of those overtures, to free the ratepayers of Toronto of the risk to which they were
subjected, so long as the success of the work was still problematical, and astringency in the money no remote
possibility. These are times, we suppose, when we may look for such disinterested others, and put them to the
credit of the good time coming. Will the Organs please do read us another homily on public virtue? — Examiner.
