Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-09-21
For the PairiCt.

For the PGtrtG.
Mr.. MARsroN Sir, Several correspondents of
your paper. during the past summer, have called
the attention of the public to The clause in The
charter of tie Wnooski Turnpike Company
which authorises the Legislature to make such
ute ra,ions in the rates of toll 'as to said Legsla
ttlre may appear just and reasonable. AS it was
apparent that incidental ect, at least, of these
writers was to effect the then pending elections
in The State, the proprietors of The turnpike con
cluded not to ask you to publish any thing from
them in reference to the subject, till after the cleo
tons had passed, being entirely Indifferent, so far
rs their interests were concerned, which political
party might succeed-not believing with one of
the writers alluded TO, tbnt, what was Jusl and
reasonable as efecting their legal rights, would
he less regarded by one PARTY in the Legislature
than the other.
am now requested by the Directors and prn
cipa stockhodels-of the company to say 10 your
correspondents and 10 the public generally, that
if any one has n desire that the Legislature should
act upon the subject of their tolls, and so alter
them, MS shall he deemed just and reasonable
with view to all the provisions of their charter,
that they heartily concur in tue desire AMI will
unite in any efforts TO effect it. To induce the
company To build their road originally the Lee
eslaturc held out the encouragement III their act
of incorporation, that they should eventually be
reimbursed by their tolls, the money they should
expend together, with . per cent interest. With
all their economy-or as one of your correspon'
dents calls il, illibaraty they have scarcely been
able ms yet realize 3 per cent upon their expen
hilures, without receiving any return Of their
original outlay. This they have long thought was
NOT just aud reasonable, or what The Legs azure
contemplated IN fixing their rites Of toll. &c.
cordlngly, the company lour years ago submitted
| the subject of their tolls 10 the Legislature ater
ha,in given public notice Of their intention by
publication in all tn newspapers printed N WASH
ington and Chll,endeu Counties, yours aiming The
rest, giving II unlimited authority te alter, raise Or
diminish their tolls as it should see fit, with no
other restriction tlian its own sense Of what was
Just and reasoahle. But the Legislature, by il us
committee, perceving il could make no ntera
lion which would be Just aud reasonable with
out raising them, declined TO act upon the subject
III il can be made now to act upon the mattel, the
company as stated above will heartily unite with
any who will endeayor 10 induce il so TO do
One word more. Your correspondents say
that it is desirable that the company's road should
be male free of tolls II they nre anxious foi
this it can be done without any violation of Le-
gisatiye faith or wrong TO private rights. In the
first place the Legislature in the charter OF the
company have reserved the right of taking the
road by paying for it, And in the next place. the
Legislature passed an act at its last session (slat
p. 553) which authorizes the public to lay fire,
! road over any turnpike in the State, aud to have
the damages assessed as in other cases Of taking
private property for the use of roads. The pub
= lie may be assured that the company will oppose
no efforts directed to make their road free in Ell
lher OF these ways, or ia any way that is jus an(
reasonabe.'
will thank you to give this an insertion IL
your next paper.
Sept 8, 1910.